Hurt my back, need some advice

Lil'Lifter · 11-Nov-03, 05:03 PM

OK so I hurt my lower back about a month ago while putting down a curl bar. I went to the doctor and he did some X-rays it turns out that I have the same genetic probelm my dad does. The bottom part of my spine is fused with the pelvic bone (I think it was the pelvic I kinda forget) and that puts undue strain on the left side of my lower back. So I was going to PT for a while and got cleared although it still bothers me when I sprint.

So I went to the doctor for my 1 month checkup of the back and here how part of the dialogue goes:

Doc: You need to strenghten your back.
Me: OK so should I do things like Goodmornings and deads.
Doc: No those exercises put too much stress on your lower back! Hell I don't even want you to be squating!
Me: But I was squating ever since I hurt myself and it hasn't bothered me.
Doc: I told you not to squat (he did but I didn't listen) because it will agrivate your back.
Me: but it doesn't bother me!!!!!!!!!!

So what do you think should I keep squating as long as I have no pain, I can't see any real downsides to squating because it should strenghten my back a little right? Has anyone else had a similiar injury and have some advice?
Thanks,
-Lil'Lifter

CJNY · 11-Nov-03, 05:43 PM

How did he recommend that you strengthen your back?

Lil'Lifter · 11-Nov-03, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJNY

How did he recommend that you strengthen your back?

He said I should do lying back extensions, which HURT my back when I do them, what a tool!

TheBigness · 12-Nov-03, 07:35 AM

take his advice if you have a problem like you described you dont want to make it worse. try to doing angled leg press. they will build your legs just as good as squats if not more. while squatting is a great exercise i feel it's use as a leg workout is overrated. you can do much more weight on a leg press thus allowing for greater muscle fiber stimulation. which means more gains. as a whole body exercise squat is right up there with deadlifts, but when it comes to legs i feel the angled press is top dog.

CJNY · 12-Nov-03, 08:12 AM

I'd look for a second professional to give an opinion. Maybe you can find a knowledgable, sports-minded trainer. They often know more than doctors when it comes to questions like this and generally don't charge as much either.

Kenny · 12-Nov-03, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil'Lifter

So what do you think should I keep squating as long as I have no pain, I can't see any real downsides to squating because it should strenghten my back a little right? Has anyone else had a similiar injury and have some advice?

did you have any trouble putting curl bars down before? no, right?

back injuries happen in a split second. just 'cause an exercise doesn't hurt doesn't mean you're risking another occurance.

last week, i hurt my back (again) while doing incline presses! wtf... there's no connection to my back... but MAYBE it happened while i was picking the weights off the floor...

the lying extensions are the best for your back 'cause the strain is more "compressive" in nature... ie. you're not pulling your back out of whack. think about how you hurt yourself this time: wasn't the position you were in similar to a good morning or deadlift?

BLADE · 12-Nov-03, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigness

take his advice if you have a problem like you described you dont want to make it worse. try to doing angled leg press. they will build your legs just as good as squats if not more. while squatting is a great exercise i feel it's use as a leg workout is overrated. you can do much more weight on a leg press thus allowing for greater muscle fiber stimulation. which means more gains. as a whole body exercise squat is right up there with deadlifts, but when it comes to legs i feel the angled press is top dog.

I agree, did 715 on my hip/leg sled today before work. Never passed 90 degree at knee or hip they said. They also said to flatten my back to distribute the weight against the pad, you dont here that very often.

My L5 spondylilisthesis problem means they dont want me squatting or deadlifting either because it will worsen the vertebrae slipping which is already 25%.

PUtting bar back? I can dead 285 and feel fine. Then I lean over a tad to brush teeth and hurt my back holding a tooth brush. At least now I know why.

teresamari · 12-Nov-03, 04:06 PM

you said you have a fused spine. that's why you should not put un-due pressure on your spine.

lower back problems are not anything to scoff at.

to strengthen a lower back: lay on your stomach and lift your right arm/left leg and alternate, keep your neck in a neutural position. do this slowly- it may not seem like it's doing anything but it will.

find another leg exercise, don't risk your back

lol

Merrida · 12-Nov-03, 04:19 PM

Are you asking for opinions until someone tells you that you can do what you WANT to do and that it'll be okay?

Your doctor already told you twice not to do something, and you continue to not listen, and you reinjured your back. So why ask for advice then complain when you don't take it?

When you felt the pain, does not necessarily correlate to what/how you actually, structurally hurt your spine. It could have been a progressive issue and that was just the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak.

I am just like BLADE in that regard,...I can hoist weight plates around, but you should see me try to tie my boots in the morning. It just does not work that way.

If he told you to do something and it hurts, and you think he's a tool for suggesting it, then perhaps you need to research anatomy yourself, consult with some physical therapists and understand how your body works.

You've continued to show favoritism to certain muscles which is why you can do some movements without pain. Without realizing it you've avoided those tool-ish type movements which has just made some muscles weaker, and other muscles compensated becoming stronger. Now, when trying to work your back muscles, those that have been dormant are going to feel tooled with and scream out because they haven't been out -- they've been locked up for so long they forgot how to work.

I'm not suggesting he is right, or anyone is particularly right or wrong,... just that there are reasons that "rehab" work hurts,...and there are reasons we avoid movements that cause pain and over-do exercises that we succeed on and feel good about. SOMETIMES (not always, but sometimes), the ones we avoid (because they hurt us or we're not good at them or can't lift massive weights),...might actually BE the ones we NEED.

It also comes down to distinguishing:

(A) Are you using true proper form in these exercises he recommended?
(B) Do you just think you're doing them right?
(C) Can you alter/modify range of motion to recruit those muscles without pain?
(D) Can you distinguish between the pain of rehab and the pain of injury?

Lil'Lifter · 12-Nov-03, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrida

Are you asking for opinions until someone tells you that you can do what you WANT to do and that it'll be okay?

Your doctor already told you twice not to do something, and you continue to not listen, and you reinjured your back. So why ask for advice then complain when you don't take it?

Thanks Merrida I needed to hear that. I guess that I should just take it easy and not squat for a while until I feel better. Man this all so frustrating, I was bulking and having such good gains too

Kenny · 12-Nov-03, 11:13 PM

frustrating, yes. but its part of working out, eh? everybody gets injuries. its how ya bounce back from them that defines what kinda lifter you are

what's more frustrating is when you re-aggravate an injury 'cause you ignore what your body tells ya. aw man, i feel like suck a f-head whenever i do that (and i've done it so often...

).