Lower back problems - should I stop squats+deadlifts
Discussion
Hi all, long story short, I've had a bad back (sciatica) for nearly 20 years. Recently I took up a very similar routine as the Stronglifts (using less weight, fewer sets and more reps). I've seen a decent increase in my muscle growth since doing it, but I seem to be having more issues with my lower back than before.
First thought was form, but I've done everything I can to ensure I'm doing it correctly, and the instructor at the gym seemed happy enough with how I was doing things.
I thought this would help strengthen my back, but so far its just giving me more pain. I've already had to drop bench press because I've got a dodgy shoulder. Is it time to call it a day with these?
First thought was form, but I've done everything I can to ensure I'm doing it correctly, and the instructor at the gym seemed happy enough with how I was doing things.
I thought this would help strengthen my back, but so far its just giving me more pain. I've already had to drop bench press because I've got a dodgy shoulder. Is it time to call it a day with these?
I'm no expert but I would be getting some more opinions on your form before jacking anything in. It's a very complex topic and 'gym instructors' vary wildly in their quality and knowledge. Small tweaks can make big differences. You could even post some video links for the PH collective to analyse.
I would also take a serious look at your posture. Most people nowadays have bad posture in one way or another (myself included) due to our unnatural modern lifestyles, this causes issues over time.
I would also take a serious look at your posture. Most people nowadays have bad posture in one way or another (myself included) due to our unnatural modern lifestyles, this causes issues over time.
Thanks chaps. I've not tried front squats, they always looked a bit awkward to me.
One of my mates used to do weights a lot and he was advising me to just use machines now that I'm a bit older.
Variety is good I agree.
Kind of frustrating as I sort of enjoy doing deadlifts especially (squats not as much so). I'm also experiencing a pain in my right wrist when I squeeze my fist (i've just read that back and yes that sounds dodgy
), which I assume I have maybe strained it doing the deads?
I think I'm just dropping to bits TBH.
One of my mates used to do weights a lot and he was advising me to just use machines now that I'm a bit older.
Variety is good I agree.
Kind of frustrating as I sort of enjoy doing deadlifts especially (squats not as much so). I'm also experiencing a pain in my right wrist when I squeeze my fist (i've just read that back and yes that sounds dodgy
), which I assume I have maybe strained it doing the deads?I think I'm just dropping to bits TBH.
If I'm doing a lot of squats / deads (or a lot of anything in fact, without stretching) then I get a bad lower back and that impinged nerve feeling in the top of my glute/s.
For me it's almost always down to getting tight hip-flexors and glutes.
If I have a day off the lifting and spend a good amount of time stretching after a walk on the treadmill to warm-up, I feel 100% better.
For me it's almost always down to getting tight hip-flexors and glutes.
If I have a day off the lifting and spend a good amount of time stretching after a walk on the treadmill to warm-up, I feel 100% better.
I've had to stop deadlifting due to lower back wear and tear, I was also finding putting a lot of weight through my back sqatting was causing problems, so started to do single leg squats (I think they're called Bulgarian squats), less than half the weight load on the back and theyseem to involve more minor muscles to maintain stability.
I'm not even registered with a GP I haven't been for so long. I did go quite some time ago but they were bugger all use. The only thing that helped is when work paid for sports massage but that was obviously only temporary.
It's not *too* bad but it does seem to hit me at random and sporadically but I've noticed I've had the pain in the days following a workout, whereas when I miss the workouts for whatever reason, the pain eventually subsides.
It's not *too* bad but it does seem to hit me at random and sporadically but I've noticed I've had the pain in the days following a workout, whereas when I miss the workouts for whatever reason, the pain eventually subsides.
TameRacingDriver said:
I'm not even registered with a GP I haven't been for so long. I did go quite some time ago but they were bugger all use. The only thing that helped is when work paid for sports massage but that was obviously only temporary.
It's not *too* bad but it does seem to hit me at random and sporadically but I've noticed I've had the pain in the days following a workout, whereas when I miss the workouts for whatever reason, the pain eventually subsides.
Was it actually diagnosed as sciatica, and, if so, what was the cause? Slipped disc? If I was in your position I'd be finding a physio who I trusted and be seeking their advice. Without a proper diagnosis I can't see how you can answer your question. It might be that the weight lifting is causing a disc to start prolapsing and that is pinching the nerve. A change in technique might keep the disc in place. Alternatively one of your discs may be shot and the additional weight is compressing your spine and pinching the nerve; technique isn't going to work around that. It's not *too* bad but it does seem to hit me at random and sporadically but I've noticed I've had the pain in the days following a workout, whereas when I miss the workouts for whatever reason, the pain eventually subsides.
ATG said:
Was it actually diagnosed as sciatica, and, if so, what was the cause? Slipped disc? If I was in your position I'd be finding a physio who I trusted and be seeking their advice. Without a proper diagnosis I can't see how you can answer your question. It might be that the weight lifting is causing a disc to start prolapsing and that is pinching the nerve. A change in technique might keep the disc in place. Alternatively one of your discs may be shot and the additional weight is compressing your spine and pinching the nerve; technique isn't going to work around that.
Yep diagnosed as Sciatica, all the classics, lower back pain, pain down the leg etc. Unsure of cause as when it started I wasn't really doing any "dedicated" exercise. I was given a 6 week course of rehab where they gave a series of "firm" massages followed by them sticking some elctrodes to my back and getting me to turn up the voltage as high as I could stand... apologies if this is a bit sketchy as this is going back over 15 years. It seemed to help at the time, and I didn't get any problems for a while but I do occasionally get a tight, sore back and the leg pain.
I don't particularly want to stop doing these exercises as they seem to be quite effective in other respects but I'd rather that than screw up my back. A number of friends into lifting won't do such exercises for similar reasons, however, an equal amount of things I've read also endorse the exercise for having a strengthening effect.
It just seems to me that if I stop then I will get very occasional issues but not enough to warrant a doctor. Since I've started doing that, I seem to be getting more pain, although at first I wondered if it was simply DOMS in my back.
Wobbegong said:
Have you tried concentrating on building hamstring strength / flexibility? They are a common cause of lower back pain.
Not specifically. I'll look into it.I've done a fair bit of reading and I think perhaps I will continue (for now) to do these movements, but take a more "moderate" approach - not necessarily trying to continually push the weight each time I do it, but more about just doing the movements, but I will look to add more variety to my workouts and improve my flexibility.
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