I've done my back in.

Hi.
 
I've made the muscles in my back a bit sore (overuse) and was wondering what methods can you use to 'heal it' quicker?
 
It's not as though I've pulled it majorly, it just feels asthough it needs some rest.
 
At the moment obviously I'm just being as carefull as I can with it. But is there anything else I can do? I've heard that lying on a hard floor helps, but I'm not too sure.
 
If anyone can point out anything I'd be really gratefull as this will seriously affect my training.
 
Thanks.

Danny - Kent, U.K

Age: 18
Currently: 135-140lb
Target: 160-165lb before I'm 19.

apparently sleeping on the floor is good for u, obviously put a sheet underneath u or something but its sposed to be good for your back

Cheers.
 
Yeh I literally tried it out last night. It works.
 
Proper b*tch tho because I'm out of my training programme for at least a week.

Danny - Kent, U.K

Age: 18
Currently: 135-140lb
Target: 160-165lb before I'm 19.

I had what you had a week ago, just give it two days.

Yeah eventually the muscle soreness goes away.  If it's an acute pain specific to a small area of your back than you may have injured yourself.  otherwise you're muscles are just not used to the new stimulus of lifting weights.  I don't know much about soreness, but I am pretty sure you can lift through it. 
 
If you feel as though you are really injured , though, don't work out.  It also might not be a bad idea just to take it easy at first and not get into a 3 day or more a week routine until you know your body and know what you can lift through and what not.  It could be a sign of overtraining.  Play it safe and if you go to the gym just go through the motions, don't lift heavy.  Don't want to risk it especially as a beginner and especially with the back. 

Ok thanks guys.
 
I think it's down to over use... I used to be pickng up a huge weight and trying to strengthen/build my biceps. On top of that, runnning distances with weight every other day, and also doing 45 pressups, 60 situps and 45 squat thrusts every day.
 
It's seriously frustrating when you're put back like that though...I'm now behind in my routine by atleast a week, maybe 2.

Danny - Kent, U.K

Age: 18
Currently: 135-140lb
Target: 160-165lb before I'm 19.

whoa man you're overtraining. Unless you are freakishly fit already, that's a lot of stress you're putting on your body, I'm guessing on a daily basis.  Keep up that type of workout and you'll be down for a lot longer than a week or two.
 
In all fairness, what are you training for?  Are you doing this for athletics, or do you want big muscles, or what?

I had a lower back problem a while back which I believe was down to rounding my back slightly on a set of deadlifts.
 
It's still not 100% right, so after eevery workout I ice it for 10 minutes. This helps the muscle recover and stops inflammtion.
 
Putting a hot compress or hot water bottle on the area will also help to loosen the muscle up prior to a workout.

Construct a home gym within 7 days that produces real results at www.basementbodybuilding.com

Ok. An update.

Unfortunatelly, the muscle injury was only part of the problem. But I had an x-ray done a few weeks back, and it turns out it is a spinal injury.

Basically, it's not quite a slipped disc, but there isn't as much 'jelly' between the bones as there should be. A bulging disc. But apparently it isn't 'too serious'. (But serious enough to put me out of doing what I want to do for 3 months, which is scary in itself)

So now what I need to know is, what can you do to treat this? At the moment I'm still a member of the gym, only I'm avoiding my back completelly.

I'm also avoiding ab exercises. Would situps do me any harm?

I really want to sort my back out as soon as possible, I really don't want any long term damage.

Any advice with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

P.S I have already put my name down for some physio therapy. When I get it on the other hand is a totally different matter... I'm thinking of paying for some myself, privatelly. Atleast that way I'll get it seen to asap.

Danny - Kent, U.K

Age: 18
Currently: 135-140lb
Target: 160-165lb before I'm 19.

ORIGINAL: danmac75

whoa man you're overtraining. Unless you are freakishly fit already, that's a lot of stress you're putting on your body, I'm guessing on a daily basis.  Keep up that type of workout and you'll be down for a lot longer than a week or two.

In all fairness, what are you training for?  Are you doing this for athletics, or do you want big muscles, or what?

Royal Marine Commandos. This is the program I was following: http://www.teenbodybuilding.com/mat4.htm
 
Although, it was the weights and gardening that really stuffed my back up.