I'm very interested to hear your thought. The wide grip is the only one I don't have, as my lat pulldown/low row is rack attached, and I would only have 2" of clearance on each side until possibly...
The problem with using a smith machine for the big 3 lifts, especially at heavier weight, lower reps. Is the fixed bar path. The likelihood that bar path is optimal for your body's bio mechanics is...
I didn't like the monolifts and straps at first. But when I got used to them, I like them a lot, and don't think I'd ever want to go back to regular j-hooks and solid safeties.
I got a globe pull up bar for this reason. But in actual use, it just makes my grip fail before my back does. Personally I don't find that a good trade off.
I believe it was heart failure. The guy did have a history of PED use. So he's surprisingly long lived despite that. Especially when it was mostly back before we had much knowledge on safe PED use.
If your pain is being caused by strength imbalances, then it's likely muscles adjacent to the pain areas are the issue. For me, my lower back issues were because of weak QLs + obliques, and shoulder...
Are you having issues with all your joints? Or specific joints with specific exercises? If it's the latter, there's improvements to be had by refining technique, and mobility work.
I felt the same way for a long time, and after a squat session it always felt like my lower back and glutes took the brunt of it, and took the longest time to recover.