Just injured my back...

[CurseTheSky]

I was carrying a 4-speed toploader from point A to point B with another person (probably less than 100 yards, and who knows how much they weight?). They're a little shorter than me, so I was walking a little bit stooped. Big mistake, I know.

I was perfectly fine until we went to set it down. Like an idiot, I bent my back to lower it down. I was ok until inches from the ground, then I felt a slight pop in my lower back, right around or just above the waist line. I instinctively tried to straighten up, but it hurt pretty bad.

It's about half an hour later now, I'm getting around ok, but it does hurt. I'm ok as long as I'm sitting up straight, but I'm getting some sharp pains in what feels like the back side of my left hip joint. It's not unbearable, just annoying. My back is a bit stiff, but I can take it.

With all of that said, I'm not concerned with the pain or having to take it easy for a bit, but should I be concerned about this? I've had very minor back injuries in the past, but this is a little more than I'm used it. I just want to make sure I'm not at a serious risk of doing permanent damage by not getting it checked out.

I'm 5'9, ~150-155 lbs, and 22 years old if that makes a difference.

Everyone always told me I was "...going to get get [myself] killed with that Mustang." I always thought they meant actually DRIVING the car...

Thank you.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

You need to go see a health professional. A pop can be nothing, but it can also mean a severe injury. Be worried about it enough to go see someone. After that, you can be the judge. Back injuries are really tricky and something like that can definitely do some serious damage.

 

[panamega]

What's the correct way / posture for lifting weights (barbells, dumbells, etc) off the ground?
Also, to the OP - how did the doc visit go?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: panamega
What's the correct way / posture for lifting weights (barbells, dumbells, etc) off the ground?
Also, to the OP - how did the doc visit go?

Just like lifting a box - always with your legs. Back upright as possible, bend at the knees, pick object up. Look up deadlift form and apply that sort of form to picking up weights. If you bend at the waist and try to pick stuff up, you will greatly increase your change of injuring your spine and lower back.

Of course, there are some exercises like stiff-leg deadlifts that utilize bending at the waist to strengthen the back, but this is a very controlled movement and should be eased into so you know your capabilities.

 

[Alone]

I always wondered that about deadlifts, as they seemed to completely contradict everything I've ever been told about lifting. But your point makes perfect sense.

 

[purbeast0]

honestly the pain you are describing sounds almost identical to the pain i had when i messed up 2 discs in my lumbar

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
honestly the pain you are describing sounds almost identical to the pain i had when i messed up 2 discs in my lumbar

I was thinking of something similar.

 

[DomS]

i wouldn't worry...why do you think God gave you two backs.....

 

[StageLeft]

See a doc. Popping in back = not good.