Working out through pain.

[kass617]

I started dieting in early November with intentions of starting to workout in early January. I wanted to just get some of the excess fat off and get through the hectic schedules of the holiday season. Well, about 3 weeks ago I felt like I tweaked my lower back. I'm not sure when/how it happened, I just starting having this dull nagging pain in my lower back when I would bend in certain ways. I figured it would go away on it's own, but here I am 3 weeks later and still its here. I'm super motivated to get started on my workouts, but scared of causing further injury. I'm 35 years old and I know some back pain etc, comes with my age and life of laziness.

Any insight or experiences?

[Caesura75]

Don't mean to be offensive here but you've hurt your back prior to starting a weight training programme and are asking for other's feedback.

Nobody here knows what's going on with your back. See a doctor and get a diagnosis!

[ironwill2008]

I started dieting in early November with intentions of starting to workout in early January. I wanted to just get some of the excess fat off and get through the hectic schedules of the holiday season. Well, about 3 weeks ago I felt like I tweaked my lower back. I'm not sure when/how it happened, I just starting having this dull nagging pain in my lower back when I would bend in certain ways. I figured it would go away on it's own, but here I am 3 weeks later and still its here. I'm super motivated to get started on my workouts, but scared of causing further injury. I'm 35 years old and I know some back pain etc, comes with my age and life of laziness.

Any insight or experiences?

Trying to "work through" a persistent pain (especially pain in the back) is a really bad idea.

If your condition hasn't improved in three weeks, it's time to see your doc.


GL

[kass617]

Don't mean to be offensive here but you've pulled your back prior to starting a weight training programme, and are asking for other's feedback.

Nobody here knows what's going on with your back. See a doctor and get a diagnosis!

No offense taken. I realized it was a bonehead question once I hit send, but figured I'd let it run it's course, lol. I already had an appointment set up with my primary, and informed him I'd like to also set up an appt. for X-Rays.... I've just been kinda fired up to get started.

[Caesura75]

I'm sure it's just a twinge that needs a bit more rest, but backs aren't the sort of thing to ignore when you have pain. At least by finding out what is happening, you'll then know when you're properly ready to start the training.

Best of luck.

[bmccurdy]

As others stated, go to the doc and get it checked out. When it comes to the back there are many possibilities as to what the prob could be, some very serious and some not so.

Years ago I was laying in bed, went to get up and all of a sudden had numbness down my left leg and extreme pain in my lower back. Went to the ER, got some x-rays and turned out it was a compressed disk that had been slowly building up over years of poor posture and sedentary lifestyle.

About 3 weeks ago I had just finished up at the gym and while I was leaving felt a bit of pressure slowly building in my lower back. Pressure turned to pain and after 2 days of no sleep went to ER, turned out it was a strained lumbar. Got some anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxers to help alleviate the pain, and have been working it out. As of today I'm almost 100% healed.

Back pain is nothing to try and 'work through', best be safe and know what it is then guessing and making it worse.

[mslman71]

Working through this type pain is just another way of saying cause more damage, prolong recovery time, or worse, deterioriate to the point of causing permanent damage. At least that's been my (unfortunate) experience.

[michail71]

Besides the doctor you could do some self trigger point therapy and foam rolling. I use a lacrosse ball for trigger points. It helps me keep my traps pain free. Also, make sure your form is good when lifting.

I've hurt my back two times lifting. Once I passed out squatting and another time I let my form fail when pushing myself too hard squatting. I was able to rehab myself both times in about a week. However, they did result in some strength loss that necessitated a deload.

A simple back strain does better if you stay active rather than inactive. This could be a simple as just walking around or running if the problem is bad.

Since your pain has been persisting for a while I'd bet your squat form (or some other exercise) may be a little off.

[Caesura75]

Since your pain has been persisting for a while I'd bet your squat form (or some other exercise) may be a little off.

???? He says that he hasn't even started lifting yet. It's the twinge that's stopping him getting started.

[Vivarant]

I was having terrible lower back pain during workouts whenever i got up from floor exercises. I just pushed through with some dynamic stretching in between and now seems as if it's not as bad any more thank goodness.

[MartinMaggie]

I started dieting in early November with intentions of starting to workout in early January. I wanted to just get some of the excess fat off and get through the hectic schedules of the holiday season. Well, about 3 weeks ago I felt like I tweaked my lower back. I'm not sure when/how it happened, I just starting having this dull nagging pain in my lower back when I would bend in certain ways. I figured it would go away on it's own, but here I am 3 weeks later and still its here. I'm super motivated to get started on my workouts, but scared of causing further injury. I'm 35 years old and I know some back pain etc, comes with my age and life of laziness.

Any insight or experiences?

1. Doctor.
2. Never work out through pain.

I just recently made this mistake again. When my back is OK for long time, I kind of forget how things work. Guess how stupid I felt afterwards when "good old" back pain was back.

[silverlightning]

i've had shoulder/neck injury for two years. i work around it though. my lower back gets stiff(not as of late now) when i bend over doing something random and when i was trail running(up hills). it's getting stronger though. you should try to rehab in between working out, stretching/hanging, etc.

[silverlightning]

after reading through the posts, my reco may not be ideal.

[michail71]

after reading through the posts, my reco may not be ideal.

I made the same mistake.

However, I don't think anything in the past has worked to make me as relatively pain free as strength training has. If I do get hurt I bounce back faster than I did when I was 20.

I think the OP is just suffering from some weight issues and strength problems. All of which gets better with lifestyle changes.

[crupiea]

Nothing wrong with the questiion.

I dont really care if you go to the doctor or not because they will just tell you to stop lifting.

What you should address is what is causing the pain.

I had a very similar thing going on and after a year or so I finally figured out that it was my tight hamstrings causing that little extra pull on my lower back.

I adjusted my form and worked on ham and glute flexibility and it went away.

[beachguy498]

Prior to getting back into the gym 4 years ago, I had chronic low back pain. I have a couple of bulging discs but the problem has totally resolved itself as my back got stronger. I did carry a back belt in the car for a couple of years and on bad days, it was a big help.

I now have the T7/T10, C7/T1 back and neck injury, herniated discs. So I know what I have which is 1/2 the battle. I've had spinal injections, PT, chiropractic care. Not one health care professional ever told me to stop lifting. I was told not to work my traps as it aggravates my neck. I pretty much do any exercise that doesn't cause my pain to worsen. It hurts the same if I sit on the couch, so WTF.. I may as well get moving.

Rob

[gridtalker]

I started dieting in early November with intentions of starting to workout in early January. I wanted to just get some of the excess fat off and get through the hectic schedules of the holiday season. Well, about 3 weeks ago I felt like I tweaked my lower back. I'm not sure when/how it happened, I just starting having this dull nagging pain in my lower back when I would bend in certain ways. I figured it would go away on it's own, but here I am 3 weeks later and still its here. I'm super motivated to get started on my workouts, but scared of causing further injury. I'm 35 years old and I know some back pain etc, comes with my age and life of laziness.

Any insight or experiences?

You should go get it checked out by a doctor before even working out and making it worse

[Menschie]

1. Doctor.
2. Never work out through pain.

I just recently made this mistake again. When my back is OK for long time, I kind of forget how things work. Guess how stupid I felt afterwards when "good old" back pain was back.

Ran track at an international level when I was young. I don't recall a time where I didn't work out through pain. The key is to be aware of what kind of pain. Furthermore, I had an almost crippling lower back injury and pain that ended my life as I knew it 5 years ago. Starting bodybuilding has been a miracle and it's now 99% and has completely changed my life for the better. So, the "never work out through pain" comment is safe, but ridiculous.

[ibidu1]

I would take a anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, and do some stretching and light cardio. I used to have lots of lower back pain, what really helped me was the dead lifts.

Start off slow with no weight on the bar, just to build up the motion in your body. Your body is just not used to working out, so take it easy on the back.

[mslman71]

..."never work out through pain" comment is safe, but ridiculous.

Conversely, I'm lucky if I have another year or two out of my left shoulder before they cut it open, pop it out, and drill a steel ball on the top of it because I ignored the pain entirely for years and I'm barely over 40.

Recognize the pain, understand its origin, learn about your anatomy and mechanics, and act accordingly. Frankly if we never worked out while in some amount of pain most of us would never be working out but I think it's fair to say "never blindly workout through pain." You need to know what you're dealing with when it happens.

[Menschie]

Conversely, I'm lucky if I have another year or two out of my left shoulder before they cut it open, pop it out, and drill a steel ball on the top of it because I ignored the pain entirely for years and I'm barely over 40.

Recognize the pain, understand its origin, learn about your anatomy and mechanics, and act accordingly. Frankly if we never worked out while in some amount of pain most of us would never be working out but I think it's fair to say "never blindly workout through pain." You need to know what you're dealing with when it happens.

Exactly, very important to know exactly what you're dealing with--the source of the pain. I was strictly addressing the blanket statement "never work out through pain". G/L with your shoulder man. That sucks.

[MartinMaggie]

Working out safely is never ridiculous. Idea is to build and grow, not to destroy yourself, what if it ends up in permanent nerve damage or something worse?

Certainly lifting improve ones condition if used wisely - i'm also example of it - but only if used wisely.

[PapaBunny]

Working through this type pain is just another way of saying cause more damage, prolong recovery time, or worse, deterioriate to the point of causing permanent damage. At least that's been my (unfortunate) experience.

X's 2...


figure out whats wrong, get treatment then start your workouts slowly....