squat and lower back problem

norco_one25 · 07-11-2007, 09:18 PM

Hey guys. Yesterday i was warming up for squats, i did Bar x 10, 40kg x 8 and 60 x8. as i was parallel/down on the 8th rep, i felt this huge pain in my lower back, sort of like when you unrack the bar after a set except that the pain wouldnt go away.

it's been about 12 hours since this happened and the back is still in pain. i can only stand up straight without much problems except when i pick things up from the ground or bend my back it'd hurt like hell.

what i want to know is, has anyone here suffered something like this? i figured i warmed up too quickly because i usually do 50s before the 60s...

thanks

lcash · 07-11-2007, 09:21 PM

I have done this once or twice in my life. Did you have a weight lifting belt on? That helps to keep the back straight when squating heavy loads. Go to a good massage therapist and get the kinks out. It sounds like a pulled muscle.

norco_one25 · 07-11-2007, 09:35 PM

Hey mate. i didnt think i would need a weight belt since i wasn't going heavy as it was just a normal warm up..

How long does it take for it to go away?

thanks

lcash · 07-11-2007, 09:39 PM

Actualy many accidents happen when lifting light weights because you don't expect to get hurt. Bad form happens when you get complacent and the belt will help to remind you to maintain your form even when lifting light weight. It will usually go away after a few months if not treated. Lay off the squats though and go to Hack squats or leg presses until the pain disapears.

Lcash

norco_one25 · 07-11-2007, 09:42 PM

ah. so i'm gonna be walking aroudn with a constant sore back for months?!

****. i thought this would go away over a few days.

lcash · 07-11-2007, 09:44 PM

It may but don't count on it. Back problems are hard to deal with and still maintain an active life.

Lcash

norco_one25 · 07-14-2007, 09:02 PM

*bump* anyone had any other experiences like this?

slufa111 · 07-15-2007, 11:10 AM

I had this seveal weeks ago when i hadnt worked my back for a while. It wasn't a shooting pain but a pain of extreme soreness. Did you stretch your back and all your muscle before doing the squats? i am sure you know that when doing squats it works most of your body.

EssexGuy · 07-15-2007, 11:14 AM

this happened to me during squats also, it lasted for 5 days, it felt like a slight tinge in my lower back, i carried on squatting the 3rd day, no extra pain.

But dont let my experience let u make the mistake of working out without seeing the doctor, urs may be more serious.

bgnb · 07-15-2007, 11:16 AM

if the pain is only in your lower back its just going to need
some treatment and rest ...

if the pain radiates anywhere else (into your butt, thigh or
lower leg, if your nuts hurt) then you have herniated a disc
and its pushing on a nerve and that needs special care and
attention.

dkfan9 · 07-15-2007, 12:32 PM

one thing you want ot watch while squatting is going too low...
If you go past your flexibility's limit, your back may start to round and back problems may occur. Not saying this is what happened, but it's one possible cause.

lespaulsarecool · 07-15-2007, 01:13 PM

long hot baths and sauna's

kentrox99 · 07-15-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkfan9

one thing you want ot watch while squatting is going too low...
If you go past your flexibility's limit, your back may start to round and back problems may occur. Not saying this is what happened, but it's one possible cause.

Thats what happened to me. I was doing full squats and I must have come out of form at the bottom of the movement for just a second. Thats all it took. Went to the doctor and they said it was a pulled muscle. I hurt just below my lower back.

That was a month ago. Its getting better slowly. Still a little pain on the top of my right hip. I've been sticking to non-squat leg exercises. I've stopped doing bent over barbell rows or dead lifts for now. Maybe a few more months and I'll start back with those lifts.

Fresch · 07-15-2007, 06:44 PM

*yawns*

for the 100000000th time..........

>80% of back injuries are healed within 6 weeks, and pain free within 2 weeks.
>90% healed within 6 months, >95% within 12 months.

Pain like that will most likely indicate an injury to the ligaments/discs. Immediate treatment is rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medication (ibufprofen/nurofen) and gentle movement.

Passive Back extension exercises are most useful (McKenzie exercises)

Poor technique due to inflexibility causing flexion of the spine is usual cause of the injury.

Elavin85 · 07-15-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcash

I have done this once or twice in my life. Did you have a weight lifting belt on? That helps to keep the back straight when squating heavy loads. Go to a good massage therapist and get the kinks out. It sounds like a pulled muscle.

A weight belt should only be used if there is an extreme excess of weight or pre-existing injury. There are numerous downfalls to using a belt while lifting, including increasing chances of herniations of disks, abdominal muscles, etc... due to a reduction in the strength of abdominal wall muscles resulting in poor intra-abdominal pressure. Most of the time a belt is unnecessary for most individuals as long as they are frequently training and their core is strong. I would never advocate the use of a weight belt to overcome core strength limitations during squats or deadlifts because they defeat the purpose of your abdominal wall muscles. Not to mention the lack of flex and potential damaging buildup of blood pressure leading to myriad circulatory system problems (hemorrhoids, Varicoceles, etc...)

In general, a belt is like a band-aid, and sometimes a tool, but never a good idea to use as a means to overcome core strength limitations on a regular basis.

jrrb18 · 07-15-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elavin85

A weight belt should only be used if there is an extreme excess of weight or pre-existing injury. There are numerous downfalls to using a belt while lifting, including increasing chances of herniations of disks, abdominal muscles, etc... due to a reduction in the strength of abdominal wall muscles resulting in poor intra-abdominal pressure. Most of the time a belt is unnecessary for most individuals as long as they are frequently training and their core is strong. I would never advocate the use of a weight belt to overcome core strength limitations during squats or deadlifts because they defeat the purpose of your abdominal wall muscles. Not to mention the lack of flex and potential damaging buildup of blood pressure leading to myriad circulatory system problems (hemorrhoids, Varicoceles, etc...)

In general, a belt is like a band-aid, and sometimes a tool, but never a good idea to use as a means to overcome core strength limitations on a regular basis.

I always use my belt , because yo need to move heavy plates around gym

Elavin85 · 07-15-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrrb18

I always use my belt , because yo need to move heavy plates around gym

Well I'm no stranger to heavy weight either, but to each his own i suppose

Good luck!

Fresch · 07-16-2007, 12:55 AM

Find a study that says a weight belt REDUCES your risk of injury...

Elavin85 · 07-17-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fresch

Find a study that says a weight belt REDUCES your risk of injury...

I agree. In fact here is a study otherwise: http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article...eightbelt.html

nicpedersen · 07-18-2007, 08:29 PM

walgreens sells packs of heat pads for $3-4. they help me a lot. Try one when you sleep, just be prepared to sweat ha

madxkilla · 07-20-2007, 05:31 PM

i had a similar problem yesterday when I leaned forward too much during squats and my back rounded. I heard a crunch noise but was able to rerack the weight but afterwards could barely move. Feels a lot better now but still hurts cant bend down well and feels as though there is pressure in my lower back and left butt tingles a little. Is this worth seeing a doctor for?