![Quote](https://startingstrength.com/resources/forum/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
JoshM7
I have a problem when I squat where I get headaches, well, its more like some shoving a burning knife into the back of my head, followed by several days of a more traditional headache. The first time it happened I was squatting 190 for reps and was scared enough to go to the doctor, who ordered an mri which ruled out anything serious in her eyes, so at least I know its not a brain bleed..gotta stay positive, right?
Also, after it happens with squats any strenuous exercise causes it to come back (including taking a dump) but the squats are the only thing that's ever caused it.
Basically my SOP has been to take a week off then start back really light on all of my lifts, but for the last 3 months I've been doing 531, which isn't really a program where I can do that.
This time my headaches started 2 weeks ago on Monday, 531 day for squats, doing 205 for 5 I finished the rest of the week pushing through, then took my deload week, and got a headache today doing 190 for 9.
I really don't know what to do, everytime I feel like I'm getting somewhere I get one of these headaches. It completely ruins my progress on squats and sets back all of my other lifts significantly. I know it is not just putting my body through stress that's doing it, I went through army osut as a Cav scout, and that involved a lot more physical demands than squatting 200lbs..so I'm guessing its a technique issue. I've tried to work on it, and moved from lb to hb squats, nothing seems to fix it.
So basically my questions are
1) has anyone ever experienced anything like this and if so how did they solve the problem?
2) if I don't care about powerlifting and just want to be strong, is there a program that anyone would recommend that doesn't involve squats? (Maybe Deadlift/clean based)
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond