I've had a reverse breakthrough

[paulxcook]

First, congrats to Deeko.

Second, I've been dicking around with 315ish lbs. on deadlift for months. Most I've ever done is 325 x 5. About a month ago I was trying yet another set of 5 with 3 plates per side, and my first rep was awful. It felt so heavy. But I got mad and decided I'd do it anyway, so I struggled through another 4 reps. I thought I'd actually had some sort of breakthrough as I felt I used leg drive on those more than I ever have. I usually rely on my lower back more I guess.

The next day my lower back hurt, and not in a normal way. Since then when I bend over I often get a kind of seizing pain in my lower back. I'm considering seeing a chiropractor about this. I used to really enjoy deadlifts but I haven't been able to do them for quite a while.

Has anyone here ever seen a chiropractor for back pain? What did you think of the experience?

 

[GenHoth]

Go see a doctor instead

 

[CKent]

Chiropractors are up there in terms of credibility with psychics, astrologers and psychiatrists. My advice may suck and be wrong, but here it is - I'd give it a few days to a week to see if it gets better, and if so, by how much. If it's still pretty bad, see a doctor. A real doctor.

 

[crt1530]

I wouldn't see anyone. Sounds like a strain. Take some time off from heavy weight and do high rep sets (20 reps with a light weight) to flush blood into the muscle. Also, I find myofascial release to be very helpful. Get a softball/baseball/lacrosse ball and lay on top of it. Roll around until you find the spot that hurts the most and hold it there with your full bodyweight. Part of the problem with the strain is that your muscle will tighten up and this will help relieve the tension and reduce the spasms/twinges.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: crt1530
I wouldn't see anyone. Sounds like a strain. Take some time off from heavy weight and do high rep sets (20 reps with a light weight) to flush blood into the muscle. Also, I find myofascial release to be very helpful. Get a softball/baseball/lacrosse ball and lay on top of it. Roll around until you find the spot that hurts the most and hold it there with your full bodyweight. Part of the problem with the strain is that your muscle will tighten up and this will help relieve the tension and reduce the spasms/twinges.

You mention myofascial release in your journal all the time but I've never known what it is. Thanks. I'll give that a try along with high reps for a while. If it doesn't get any better in another month I'll consider seeing my doctor.

 

[interchange]

The problem with chiropractic care is that it can never be properly evaluated for effectiveness. It's impossible to do a double-blind study on it. Nonetheless, studies do show that chiropractic care is slightly more preferred by patients than traditional medical care. That being said, it is impossible to determine if it's the actual physical care that is superior.

The real advantage of seeing a doctor, despite not being appreciated by most patients, is that they can determine and rule out non-musculoskeletal sources of pain. This is why you should consult a doctor first. Remember that a chiropractor is not qualified to offer any diagnosis, and in many cases it can be damaging to the patient if they do.

 

[brikis98]

I'm not a doctor or expert, but I agree with crt - it does sound like a back strain. For a few weeks, avoid any exercises that put heavy stress on the lower back (squat, deadlift) - it sucks, and you may lose a bit of progress, but it's well worth protecting your back. You can also work on stretching, myofascial release (although as you learn this, be careful and gentle with this around your back/spine) and other rehab exercises. You can check out my lower back pain thread for info on one possible cause of lower back issues as well as a number of good exercises to help.

Finally, a note about the deadlift. You mentioned that you "rely on your lower back". As I've never actually seen you deadlift, I'm only guessing, but that expression indicates to me that your deadlift form may be wrong. When your back heals and you deadlift again, you should really make sure to get your form right or you'll hurt yourself again. At the risk of repeating what you may already know, it's worth mentioning that the only job of your back muscles during the deadlift is keeping your back rigid against a heavy load. You should NOT be using your back to actually lift/move the load (please note this does not necessarily apply to competitive powerlifting). What should actually be happening is:

(1) When starting the weight off the ground and while it's below your knees, all the movement is generated by unbending your knees which is primarily done with your quads. You should be trying to push your heels through the floor. During this time, your back should be maintaining the exact same angle, keeping your upper body rigid.

(2) Once the weight clears your knees, the final step is pushing your hips forward until you right yourself. This straightens your body out but your back muscles are NOT doing the moving - they are still just keeping your upper body rigid. All the motion is generated by squeezing your glutes (you should really feel your butt working), pulling with your hamstrings and pushing the hips forward. This will feel very different than doing the lifting with your back (especially the sensation in the glutes) and is much safer than "relying on your back".

 

[paulxcook]

I admit I am guilty of the "just get the weight up" attitude when it comes to deads. Which is probably why I've made almost no progress in the last 4 months. Hopefully this extended de-load or whatever you call it will help. Thanks for the description, about the hips especially, I'll try to give it more thought from now on.

 

[CKent]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
I admit I am guilty of the "just get the weight up" attitude when it comes to deads. Which is probably why I've made almost no progress in the last 4 months. Hopefully this extended de-load or whatever you call it will help. Thanks for the description, about the hips especially, I'll try to give it more thought from now on.

Text <- helped me a ton with my DL form

 

[warpigeon]

Originally posted by: interchange
The problem with chiropractic care is that it can never be properly evaluated for effectiveness. It's impossible to do a double-blind study on it. Nonetheless, studies do show that chiropractic care is slightly more preferred by patients than traditional medical care. That being said, it is impossible to determine if it's the actual physical care that is superior.

The real advantage of seeing a doctor, despite not being appreciated by most patients, is that they can determine and rule out non-musculoskeletal sources of pain. This is why you should consult a doctor first. Remember that a chiropractor is not qualified to offer any diagnosis, and in many cases it can be damaging to the patient if they do.

When you say that you're a "medical student" should we take that as you're actually enrolled in medical school?

I'll take a shot and say that you're pre med. Everything you wrote is wrong. And I don't mean debatable- I mean undeniably, factually wrong. The chance an actual doctor or medical college attendee would write this are zero.

You didn't do any harm or such (the guy tore some muscle- he'll be fine if he rehabs it), but you're going to need a big overhaul on how you form and state opinions, especially if you get into patient care.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: CKent

Originally posted by: paulxcook
I admit I am guilty of the "just get the weight up" attitude when it comes to deads. Which is probably why I've made almost no progress in the last 4 months. Hopefully this extended de-load or whatever you call it will help. Thanks for the description, about the hips especially, I'll try to give it more thought from now on.

Text <- helped me a ton with my DL form

That' a Romanian deadlift. Very good form though.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: paulxcook

Originally posted by: crt1530
I wouldn't see anyone. Sounds like a strain. Take some time off from heavy weight and do high rep sets (20 reps with a light weight) to flush blood into the muscle. Also, I find myofascial release to be very helpful. Get a softball/baseball/lacrosse ball and lay on top of it. Roll around until you find the spot that hurts the most and hold it there with your full bodyweight. Part of the problem with the strain is that your muscle will tighten up and this will help relieve the tension and reduce the spasms/twinges.

You mention myofascial release in your journal all the time but I've never known what it is. Thanks. I'll give that a try along with high reps for a while. If it doesn't get any better in another month I'll consider seeing my doctor.

I injured my Quadratus Lumborum deadlifting, which is likely what you've done by the sounds of it.. Myofacial release has helped a considerable amount with this, along with daily lower back stretches and a cold pack every now and again.

I've been injured nearly 3 months now though and i've only just been able to start squatting, albeit with an extended warmup. Deadlifts are out of the question for the meanwhile though.. So Don't expect it to heal overnight..


This page helped me target the point i need to be doing the myofacial release, and there are some massage tutorials on youtube you might find useful, just type in Quadratus Lumborum. Heres one. Text

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: CKent
Chiropractors are up there in terms of credibility with psychics, astrologers and psychiatrists. My advice may suck and be wrong, but here it is - I'd give it a few days to a week to see if it gets better, and if so, by how much. If it's still pretty bad, see a doctor. A real doctor.

In my life chiropractic care has been *extremely* helpful. I had an issue where my back was so messed up I thought I had pneumonia (because it would hurt when I breathed). I went to a regular doctor, and he said there was nothing wrong with me, and that it was probably musculo-skeletal. So I went to my chiropractor, got an adjustment, and felt almost 100% better immediately. This was after 2 weeks of intense pain. Don't be so quick to discount non-traditional methods of pain relief and wellness.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: CKent
Chiropractors are up there in terms of credibility with psychics, astrologers and psychiatrists. My advice may suck and be wrong, but here it is - I'd give it a few days to a week to see if it gets better, and if so, by how much. If it's still pretty bad, see a doctor. A real doctor.

In my life chiropractic care has been *extremely* helpful. I had an issue where my back was so messed up I thought I had pneumonia (because it would hurt when I breathed). I went to a regular doctor, and he said there was nothing wrong with me, and that it was probably musculo-skeletal. So I went to my chiropractor, got an adjustment, and felt almost 100% better immediately. This was after 2 weeks of intense pain. Don't be so quick to discount non-traditional methods of pain relief and wellness.

It shouldn't even be included in the same fields as things like alternative medicine. It is a scientifically-based practice. Techniques for realignment are derived from what has been proven true. It is along the lines of physical therapy. I don't understand how people can try to classify it as a placebo effect or as unproven.

 

[eits]

The problem with chiropractic care is that it can never be properly evaluated for effectiveness. It's impossible to do a double-blind study on it. Nonetheless, studies do show that chiropractic care is slightly more preferred by patients than traditional medical care. That being said, it is impossible to determine if it's the actual physical care that is superior.

The real advantage of seeing a doctor, despite not being appreciated by most patients, is that they can determine and rule out non-musculoskeletal sources of pain. This is why you should consult a doctor first. Remember that a chiropractor is not qualified to offer any diagnosis, and in many cases it can be damaging to the patient if they do.

wow. wrongest thing i've ever heard.