Stronglifts and My Back
arabianhorselover
Posts: 1,488 Member
Hi. I've been doing Stronglifts for about a year and a half. I like it because it is a simple program that I don't have to think too much about, and because I do think it ads muscle and strength about as well as any program could. However, at this point I think I have to eliminate the OP and the Squat, and possibly the Deadlift from my routine. I guess I am looking for opinions on this.
I have never had an injury to my back, and it generally does not hurt when I do the exercises. However, probably about three years ago I started to notice stiffness and pain in an area on the left side of my lower back. Over time it has gotten worse, and at this point it is constant and makes it difficult to sleep. I believe it is arthritis, since arthritis was discovered on X-rays probably about 4 years ago. Mostly I've had a problem with my neck, which is always stiff and sore even though I do daily stretches for it.
Anyway, at this point, I really have to do something to avoid aggravating this condition.. I'm not sure that these exercises are causing a problem, but I do know that if you have back pain you are supposed to avoid lifting weight above your head or adding weight to your shoulders as in the squats.
Sorry so long. Any ideas? Thank you very much.
Lisa
I have never had an injury to my back, and it generally does not hurt when I do the exercises. However, probably about three years ago I started to notice stiffness and pain in an area on the left side of my lower back. Over time it has gotten worse, and at this point it is constant and makes it difficult to sleep. I believe it is arthritis, since arthritis was discovered on X-rays probably about 4 years ago. Mostly I've had a problem with my neck, which is always stiff and sore even though I do daily stretches for it.
Anyway, at this point, I really have to do something to avoid aggravating this condition.. I'm not sure that these exercises are causing a problem, but I do know that if you have back pain you are supposed to avoid lifting weight above your head or adding weight to your shoulders as in the squats.
Sorry so long. Any ideas? Thank you very much.
Lisa
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All I can really offer is my own experience. I'm sure a doctor who specializes in sports medicine or something of that nature would know a bit more. I have arthritis in my lower back (diagnosed in my early 20's), bad knees, along with problems with my right hip, elbow, hand & wrist. Most of which were caused by bowling, except the knees which have been minor nuisance since 6th grade basketball.
So far, lifting hasn't bothered anything too much but I do ache sometimes and I'm always aware when I lift just in case something decides to act up. So far, the wrist has been the worse just because it can't handle the heavier weights as well and I use it so much between typing, work etc. So, I sometimes have to adjust my grip while holding the weight, which can be awkward. My back aches to a small degree most of the time but haven't had any increase of pain except it gets super tired after lifting and doing things like working 9 days in a row since I'm in retail on my feet all shift and sometimes pick up heavy things there. I'm a big fan of heating pads though (especially in winter cause it helps with the cold too) and usually have 2: one for bed and one for desk by computer.
So, that has been my experience so far with it.0 -
My only suggestion would be regular massage therapy and buy yourself some Bio-Freeze (it's magic I tell ya). I tweaked my SI joint a few years back, went to a chiropractor and they would do ultrasonic massages with Bio-Freeze gel then put the stim pads on my back on low and cover them with ice packs. It. Was. A. Mazing. Then they tried to rope me into a bunch of sessions that my insurance wouldn't cover and some other hinky stuff but that's another story. I would recommend seeing a Sports Medicine Specialist and/or a massage therapist.
ETA: Found this article on massage and arthritis - http://www.arthritistoday.org/arthritis-treatment/natural-and-alternative-treatments/remedies-and-therapies/benefits-of-massage.php0 -
i wish i could say something concrete and useful, but i'm not sure if i have enough info for that. however, i do think that if anything is hurting enough to affect your sleep then it's time to back up. it can get hard with chronic pain to actually notice the point where enough gets to enough, because you're so used to being stoical all the time anyway.
if it's a specific side of your hip, i have one idea that might be useful: rotated pelvis? i had that once for a year or two, and thought it was arthritis until my gp showed me some stuff that sorted it out - basically really slow lunges on the affected side.
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I would recommend seeing a Sports Medicine Specialist and/or a massage therapist.
This^ Get more information so that you can make an educated choice on modifying programs and lifting in general.
As for squats, if you know that bar placement is aggravating you, there are other modifications like front squats that might make things better for you.0 -
I also have/had pain in my Right hip aka sacroilliac joint. I got this when i was pregnant with my last baby, also gave me anterior pelvic tilt which goes together normally ... grr kid, good thing your cute! Anyways.. I found that foam rolling my quads and hip flexors (thats right up there where your leg crease is when you bring it up to take a step) helps every time. I am hyper mobile so i have to foam roll since stretching does nothing for me but you can try stretches also and what katro said, try a good massage therapist and tell them a little about your problems. I have seen it on a few people as well and that spot in the hip flexor is always a problem. Hope that can help you out!0
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Thank you all for trying to help. I guess at this point I will make a doctor appointment. I just haven;t felt like it was anything they could do anything about anyway. In the meantime I will be extra careful with my workouts.0
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I had a similar pain, xrays showed arthritis about 4-5 years ago. Tried some of the deep muscle massage, stretching, and other recommendations to no avail. I have been lifting off and on for about a year, started SL 5x5 back in November no problems. We recently got new chairs and I have noticed that since I have not been using our old wing chairs the pain in my hip is gone! Definitely a trip to the doctor is worthwhile but don't discount the role of every day routine in these chronic ailments...0
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Well, turns out I'm seeing the doctor today, since she has cancellations due to nasty weather here. So we shall see..........0
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let us know.0
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Okay. I went to doctor yesterday, had x-rays taken, and apparently it is arthritis. These x-rays looks worse than the ones I had taken in 2009. It is a mystery why all the pain is on the left side, though. She doesn't see any reason for me to change my exercise routine unless something really bothers me.0
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