Stupid Back!

A few months ago I hurt my back and the Dr told me it was the sacroiliac joint - prescribed ibuprofin and rest. I have been fine until last week, when it started bothering me after I pushed 360lbs on the leg press. I wasn't entirely convinced that it was the leg press that hurt it, until I did legs again tonight. Sure enough, the leg press machine got to me again and I am in a ton of pain. Damn, damn damn.

So should I skip legs for a few weeks, but continue to work the rest of my body? Should I do squats and SLDLs but keep them at a lower weight, and just skip the leg press? I went to a Dr last time so I know what she will say - rest and ibuprofin again. But I would appreciate some advice on how much rest? It doesn't hurt while I am doing any of the other exercises (except the leg press) it just hurts when I stand and sit and it stiffens up.

Thanks!

Well, I have begrudgingly decided to see a chiropractor because they seem to be the only ones who can treat this type of injury. I could barely move this morning, until the 4 advil kicked in. And even now, the pain is just painful, not debilitating.

But I was still wondering about the rest thing. With an injury that is very specific to a certain area, is it ok to work around that area and still continue to lift? Or should you rest your whole body?

Also, has anyone used a supportive belt for lifting? That is another piece of advice I came across in my research. Any advice on finding a good one?

Also, has anyone used a supportive belt for lifting?

Yes. Got mine at Big 5. But I'm looking to get another one. Better one.

It really makes a difference for me on deadlifts.

But I was still wondering about the rest thing. With an injury that is very specific to a certain area, is it ok to work around that area and still continue to lift? Or should you rest your whole body?

Loaded question. If it's your back or shoulder, that can affect everything. If it's your tendon in a bicep, it just affects arm workouts mostly and maybe pull-ups.

You titled your post "Stupid back" but it sounds like your legs are hurt.

You need to rest enough until it's not a problem anymore. Then you come back very slow. I've had friends who just tweaked their inside leg muscle.. maybe a small tear and it's taken them 6 months to get back to where they were. Very slowly. And they can feel it sometimes.

In your case, it healed enough and you went back to heavy training and re-injured the area.

I'm thinking that once you get back on-track, you'll want to take it easy and go back into leg workouts slowly. As in heavy everywhere else but not heavy on legs. Just keep them mobile and worked-out.

Marc C. David
Support DB! Buy your supplements at Supplements101.com

Thanks for the reply Marc. It is not really my back in that it is not spine-related. But it is more in my pelvis, kind of where the leg meets the pelvic bone. So the pain is in the lower back, buttocks, upper leg area.

http://www.hughston.com/hha/a.sacjnt.htm

I am seeing a chiro Monday and she seems to think that with the right treatment, I can get back to lifting heavy. I am at least glad that she respects that goal of mine. I might be able to do chest/tris with no problem. And possibliy upper back/bis. I'll have to play that one by ear, and maybe move it from Friday to Sunday to give me an extra couple days to get the inflammation down.

My personal opinion on this is to just take the rest. When it comes to something like this, it's best not to play around and tempt more injury. Of course, I'm no doc- But I do prefer to play things safe when it comes to lifting. I have a friend who tried to push more than he could on the leg press, and he ended up tearing something in his glutes- It's been years now, but he's never been the same since. He never bothered resting after the initial injury.

ORIGINAL: jenng

Thanks for the reply Marc. It is not really my back in that it is not spine-related. But it is more in my pelvis, kind of where the leg meets the pelvic bone. So the pain is in the lower back, buttocks, upper leg area.

I am seeing a chiro Monday and she seems to think that with the right treatment, I can get back to lifting heavy.

Not sure if your preparing for competition but care is needed!!

I injuried my lower back right where the lower back and glutes meet on the right side. Saw the Chiropractor for three weeks then became ansy and hit the gym... Squats: two light warm-up sets, one light working set, and one moderate working set and I'm back to square one minus 4!! [&o]

Now my back is weaker than before. Watch out & Good Luck!

Yeah the back can be a bad raod if not taken care of. Remember it is your foundation.

Laser

Showing up is half the battle.

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Current Max Weights:
Bench 325
Squat 550
Deadlift 505

My goal is to get to 1400 total for the 3 lifts