WAG Needles, arched handstands, and back stretches

[lisiflex]

So, as discusses in some threads here, back and front walkovers can be very harmful if you are not doing them the right way and even then they can be harmful and shouldn't be done too often.

I also now that if one is doing bridges, the gymnast should focus on keeping the lower and mid back as straight as possible while stretching the shoulders and upper back more.

But I was wondering:

What about needles and arched handstands? Are they bad for the back?

I can't do them yet, but I would love to learn them but I am afraid to injure myself!

I am already quite flexible but it would need a little more training to have these skills decently.
And once I have them - how bad is it to practice them???

Hope someone can help!

 

[iwannacoach]

Anything can cause damage if you go beyond the amount of arch you can move into using your only your back muscles. So that's the amount of arch possible if you're floating in a swimming pool and smoothly move into the tightest arch you can, without using your hands...........

That's probably safe 100% of the time...... unless you can't swim.