Frustrated with pulled back muscle

mili5726

I kinda go through cycles of fitness where I go from excellent shape then back down to just OK physical fitness...it seems to just be the way my life goes and how I can spend my time working out.

But every single time I begin to go from OK shape and start to take my fitness up to the next level, I always...ALWAYS...pull a muscle in my back. It's basically my lower trapezius on my right side...between the inside of my right scapula and my spine. I am so frustrated with this. Right as I am about to take my fitness to the next level I have to take two weeks off to let my back heal. I am also the type of person that if I am not exercising I tend not to eat right. I know I need to focus on eating right during my inactivity but laying on the couch all day really depletes my motivation. I know I need to see a doctor because it does not seem normal for a 30 year old woman who is in decent shape to constantly have back issues. No questions I just wanted to vent about it and see if the problem plagues anyone else.

Oh and the injury was caused by me bending down to sort some clothes. While I was bent down I sneezed and I felt the infamous twinge in my back and I knew I pulled a muscle. I never pull it while lifing anything heavy or working out I always pull it by walking, sitting down wrong, or something small like that.

Mouse_Potato

I completely sympathize. I go through the same cycle and I have a similar injury. I have a pulled (possibly torn) muscle on the right side of my back, although it's my rhomboid. If it helps any, I try to focus on different exercises. Okay, so I can't do anything that aggravates that muscle. There are plenty of other exercises I can do. My entire lower body is available. I can do bicep curls. I can do cardio. I just can't engage that part of my body. It doesn't put me out of commission completely.

My motivation to keep eating right is that I hate seeing my hard work destroyed. I worked hard to lose the nine pounds I've lost and to build my muscles. I won't give up on it just because I wrenched my back. Plus I just feel better when I put good stuff in my body. Good luck!

KathyPBiles

Oh - I can so sympathize. I, too, "threw" my back out bending over to pick up a load of towels (this was before I started making better eating and exercising decisions). Took a long time to heal.

So, this past Saturday, I was moving a fryer from point A to point B - and you guessed it. Hurt my back. I don't know the terminology for the muscles - but I hurt on both sides of my spine about mid way down all the way around to the side. Sucks! As far as exercise - all I am doing at the moment is the elliptical and it is bearable through that. But getting ready to fly to London for a week and that should be interesting.

mili5726

Well I pulled mine so bad that it hurt to move, The day after I did it I woke up to get ready for work and every turn, step, etc caused a back spasm, but I think I am finally at a place where I can go to the gym and at least do the treadmill or the elliptical. I take a boxing fitness class three days a week and I think that will probably be too intense. I might have to wait another week for that.

mili5726

I might have to wait for weights a few more days. I don't think you realize how much you use your back until you hurt it. Then everytime the muscle needs to work you feel pain.

Mouse_Potato

When I first injured mine (beginning of December), it hurt to breathe for the first few days. After that, it eased up and I gradually added in whatever exercise I could manage. I couldn't ride horses or do pole dancing for a month, but I did what I could. The hardest part is not getting discouraged. It will heal and you will be able to do your regular workouts in time. Just don't give up on all the other healthy changes you've made in your life. To paraphrase something another user said elsewhere in the forums: Just because you dropped your phone doesn't mean you should smash it with a hammer. :flowerforyou: