My back acne has gotten so bad over the last few months that my wife demanded I go to a dermatologist. I was prescribed a regimen of doxycycline and a topical foam to help get rid of it. I know certain antibiotics are linked to tendon ruptures and before I start taking this stuff, I just wanted to make sure no one has heard of any adverse tendon effects or anything else that might interfere with weight training?
When I brought it up to the doc she seemed unaware of this, but I am almost certain it’s something I’ve heard before.
Cipro is the antibiotic associated with collagen problems. I know of no similar problems with Doxy.
Ah ok! I just wanted to make sure. I appreciate the response.
Don't use the same bath towel twice. I have also personally found I am prone to breakouts when taking pain meds. If you are on those, try to avoid them for a while.
Also Levaquin. The class in question is fluoroquinolones. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist if an antibiotic is in this class, or ask Dr Google. These antibiotics have become much less popular in recent years for a number of reasons, including the tendon ruptures. There are a few situations where they are probably still the best choice, but mostly there are good substitutes.
Doxycycline has other potential side effects, but is not a quinolone, so your tendons should be safe.
After a conversation with Will Morris regarding using SS as a method of gaining strength after having my elbow surgically repaired, I was set on using your linear progression.
After taking a week to figure out form before putting on a substantial weight and completing week 1 of the program. I have discovered that issues with my posture may be sabotaging my form with weight on the bar. For clarity, I have a very rounded back and shoulders from working at standard desks and chairs in highschool as a 6'5 male, nerd neck and, as I was recently told, anterior tilted pelvis.
While I have found that my posture doesn't decrease my ability to carry out most of the lifts, I find it does with the press. When I do the press, I find that at my work weight I can't get the 4th or 5th rep out without the pelvis slipping back and rounding my lower back quite a bit.
I am due to meet my doctor in a couple weeks for other issues, but am planning on asking to see a physiotherapist to ask about corrections besides what I've seen on the internet. However, I'm curious about what you have to say. What would you suggest I do to fix this poor posture and/or should I halt the program until my posture is in better condition?
Are you under the impression that "posture" is involuntary?
My two cents, based on my own experience: Focus on form, especially in the press and in finishing the deadlift, and your upper body posture problems will improve on their own. As your back and shoulders get stronger it will be easier for them to hold your body in proper posture as you go about your day – but like Rip says, you still need to be conscious about it.
I'm confused about what you describe with the press, though. If you have anterior pelvic tilt, your spine will be slightly hyperextended already. If you're "rounding" your lower back, that sounds like spinal flexion...and that's not likely caused by your pelvic tilt. So, clarify?
I also had a moderate amount of anterior pelvic tilt and found that I had to stretch my hip flexors fairly regularly for a while in order to allow it to resolve itself. But honestly, getting weight on the bar and strengthening the lower back with squats and deadlifts did wonders for my pelvic positioning.
Well, specific to the press, I'd suggest videoing it and posting it in the technique forum. Because based on your description I'm still not able to visualize what's happening.
Generally speaking, though, any form breakdown in the lower back is best solved by 1) firmly ingraining what the proper position feels like, and 2) getting your lower back stronger. The best way to do that is to keep doing the squats and deadlifts as laid out in the program.
As far as the pelvic tilt. Your body has gotten used to an exaggerated lordotic curve (ass out, belly protruding a bit) and you'll have to actively fight that. Get used to keeping your chest up and shoulders back, and your hips tucked forward. Squeeze your glutes a bit to keep your hips forward as you stand or walk. And if you spend a lot of time sitting, get up and stretch your hip flexors every hour or so, because they have gotten tight over time and will keep pulling your pelvis down if you let them.
With regard to your lifts, focus on leaning over more in the squat than you want to. Nipples point to the floor. Pay very close attention to the deadlift chapter where it discusses exaggerated lordotic curves. Work on eliminating that and getting used to what proper spinal extension feels like. Once you understand the position, learn to set your back hard in order to maintain it through the movement.
With the press, work on the hip rebound as described in the book. It's very difficult to achieve this with your pelvis tilted forward. This is where I found stretching to be the most helpful. I did a stretch that is basically a lunge, but with the rear foot resting on a flat bench. That gets your hip flexors loose enough to actually get an effective hip rebound for the press.
It may take a couple of months for it all to come together, but following the program and getting stronger should create marked improvements in your posture. Then it's just a matter of maintaining that posture when you're not in the gym.
You are going to discover, in bits and pieces, what good posture feels like when doing the exercises correctly.
Strength training IS corrective exercise.
Don’t be stubborn like myself and think you have to figure out everything yourself. Get an SS coach from 3 months at the least to as long as you can afford it. Spend the money. You will spin your wheels a lot less once you do that. My own form is better and more consistent with my friends' help. It takes work and gumption and sticking with it. Remember, you don’t have to be the best at it. You just have to be stronger.
벗윙크 –Mark Rippetoe, Translated by Inhyuk Eun
The SSC Platform Evaluation –Nikki Burman
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