? --Upper-bodyWhy can't any specialist diagnose my back pain?How can I reduce the impact on my back of running?I have lower-back pain from minor scoliosis - must I stop running? Should I give up running? -- I did a half-marathon after two months of running

, or is it OK just to cut back the miles?"I have been running for three-and-a-half years, and the last year has been a bit confusing. In terms of racing it's been a success, but training has been difficult. Normally I train every day (70-80 miles a week

year at university, and thought I’d be able to go back in September. I had to accept early on that it would be at least a year before I recovered; in the event it was more like 18 months.As soon as I was out of hospital I started having hydrotherapy

is to add one mile (or five to 10 minutes) to each of your daily runs for three weeks; then back off for a recovery week. After your recovery week, continue to add miles (or time) in the same fashion. Go long A weekly long run burns more calories two ways

, then proceed with cautious enthusiasm, says Dr Rod Jaques, medical advisor to the British Triathlon Team at the British Olympic Medical Centre. The health benefits to women who exercise while pregnant have been well documented. They include: less lower-back

.Check that the 'inner flap' of material is tucked neatly inside the zip of your wetsuit - otherwise it can catch as you try to unzip. Ensure the cord end is fastened to the Velcro patch on your lower back, within easy reach.It's important that you practise swimming

and efficient running style," says Don. "Target the shoulders, lats, triceps and chest. You should already be doing the usual lower-body stretches for your calves, quads and hamstrings but the most important are those for the lower back and glutes. These muscles

on a step with one foot on the step and the other foot over the edge. Lower yourself by slowly bending the knee of the active leg so that the passive leg stays straight and so that the weight is on the heel of the active foot.Split Squat/Lunge Stand

, optimises your performance on hills. The Hill ClinicUphill:Problem CauseBreathing too rapidly Over-striding or bounding too highTight leg muscles Over-stridingTight or sore lower back Leaning too far forwardTired or sore shoulders and arms Too much arm

being used to redirect forces. Dye had been showing how the meniscus slides but now he had severed the upper and lower bones and was pushing the shiny top of the femur against the ring of cartilage to make the point that tearing your meniscus, a highly