starting strength gym
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Yes - Low Back Question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    10

    Default Yes - Low Back Question

    • starting strength seminar december 2024
    • starting strength seminar february 2025
    • starting strength seminar april 2025
    6’ … 217 lbs. 51 y/o. Intermediate Lifter (5s - 365 squat, 395 dead, 240 bench, 185 press). At 18 I had a low back injury from poor form squatting, that at 51 has me with disc degeneration on 2 discs in my lower back. No pain in legs, no numbness, but as I’ve aged - I can basically expect that I’ll be fighting my lower back going out after most every squat and dead lift workout. The doctor is a good one, just gives me pain pills and says ‘wait it out, stretch’ which I do. Usually don’t take any Ibuprofen unless it gets in a bad spot, and reserve the real medication for a severe episode which just puts me on my back in bed (been about every 4 years). At this point, it has been a 9 year run where my back seizes up and drops me down/out of training for 1-3 weeks 4-5 times per year. I stretch 3xs weekly just to keep the hips and back loose, and walk 30 minutes 2-4 times per week. I run a business in finance so the job is sedentary but focused and can get intense.

    Have read through the threads over the years, and manage with ibuprofen and stretching as a result. Just figured I’d ask out loud, as you all have aged, any thoughts that have helped any of you manage chronic back pain and training beyond what I’m doing? Thanks for any thoughts.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    54,924

    Default

    Are you doing situps? Wearing the right belt? Why are you stretching? Post a video of your squat and deadlift.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    10

    Default

    No sit-ups. Belt is a leather 4” by Rogue. When my back is out, stretching has kept the severity at bay and my body recovers more quickly than not stretching. Over the past few weeks, had started adding after lifting because it feels good to stretch after sitting much of the day.

    Will post a video later this week, when my back feels a bit better. Back went out this AM for the second time in 3 weeks, hence the post.

    Thank you for the help.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    54,924

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    10

    Default

    Thank you, Mark. Will pick up the 3” belt.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    54,924

    Default

    Video?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    10

    Default

    Traveling today in MKE overnight but will video a squat and deadlift this week and submit it. Have never taken video of myself before so nothing to send.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    10

    Default

    Sorry for the delay, back is a bit better and shot my first videos ever this evening. Filmed a set of squats, and a set of dead lifts. Would appreciate any thoughts on the form. Not posted above, and not sure it’s relevant on the lower back pain, but I did have an umbilical hernia mesh repair in January of this year.

    Form Check - Low Bar Squat - YouTube

    Form Check - Dead Lift - YouTube

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    54,924

    Default

    You had an umbilical hernia repair, and you have not been wearing a belt?? Seriously?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    544

    Default

    starting strength coach development program
    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe View Post
    You had an umbilical hernia repair, and you have not been wearing a belt?? Seriously?
    Rip didn't watch the videos,
    (don't)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •