Hurt my back severely

M

MarkMyWords

2
Hey all. I was out of town watching the Reds whoop up on Chicago at Wrigley this weekend, so I did not attend the gym on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. No big deal, just wanted to mention it for reference.

So today, I went in and began my workout. Decided to start with stiff legged deadlifts, so I did a few reps with the bar, and did a few reps with 25s on the side, no problem. Loaded it up with a 45 and 25 on each side, what I normally would do for my first set. This time though, right on the first rep, I felt a shot of pain, and it was over. I could barely put the weights down and it took me 10 minutes just to get the weights off. I could barely drive home, and my lower back is in very bad shape. It hurts to move at all, legs, any bending is ridiculously painful. I have never had an injury before in my 6 months of serious lifting, what should I do? Is it going to be worse in the morning? How long is this going to take to heal?

I'm very disheartened and depressed right now, and also scared. I don't know what I did wrong...
 
Back strains suck my friend, My sympathies to you.

The single worst thing you can do is lay in bed for the next few days. Doing this will only weaken your back muscles which increases your risk for further injury and longer recovery. Get up and walk as much as you can. So long as its not screaming gritting your teeth pain of course. Do not try to bend or flex your back to try to "Stretch" out the muscle. At least not yet.
Lay off all exercises at least for a week even if you feel better before that. To ensure you do not do a re injury. You might even want to take 2 weeks off. Don't worry you will not loose any muscle mass or gains in a two week time frame.

Just focus on not being sedentary, Get up and move around to the best of your ability! Hot/cold baths also greatly help.
 
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Hey Mark,

First off it is okay, you just need to assess your situation. As much as we know about these types of injuries, we are not doctors and we can't look at you. I would see a doc as soon as possible to make sure things are okay.

Chances are you pinched or pulled something. Beyond that you would find it hard to even communicate with us to ask a question, not to diminish the pain you have now, just saying you would be in a hospital already, not asking us questions.

Most Deadlift "pulls" go from extreme pain to normal soreness in a few day, it is an easy area to activate in the wrong manner and just slip up with.

AGAIN THOUGH

Not a doctor, can't see you.

For peace of mind, I am sure you are going to be fine as it is a very common occurrence.

For more peace of mind, get a doc to tell you that.

In the mean time...

-Take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen
-Take a bath in epsom salt
Then REST REST REST-ICE ICE ICE-REST REST REST

Make sure to lay in a supported and comfortable area.
Do not get cocky and start moving around to see if you feel better, especially if medicated or you will make it worse once it wears off.

I hope you feel better and ask any questions you may have:)

(edit) Until you know what is wrong or just start feeling better walking around and moving to much isn't the best idea. You could worsen the problem. That being said stay rested in a proper elevated position and rotate rest positions.
 
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Also, to test your back pain to ensure it is simply a muscle pull and not possible nerve damage. Lie on the floor and raise one leg straight up. If you feel pain in the back area of your leg while raising your foot about a foot or two off the ground it might be more of a nerve problem then a muscle problem.
 
Thank you for your sympathies, and the quick reply, it means a lot to me man.

I was hoping you would say exactly what you did about staying mobile. I will be sure to get a good nights rest, but I will also be sure to walk as much as I can. Even today, just a few hours after I injured it, I am able to walk slowly without too much pain. These next couple weeks without exercise are going to make me very sad, I don't feel quite right without my lifting, HIIT, and runs...

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated!

Edit: This post was directed towards Silent's first response, you 2 kick ass, lemme read what has been posted and add more.
 
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theleip said:
Hey Mark,

First off it is okay, you just need to assess your situation. As much as we know about these types of injuries, we are not doctors and we can't look at you. I would see a doc as soon as possible to make sure things are okay.

Chances are you pinched or pulled something. Beyond that you would find it hard to even communicate with us to ask a question, not to diminish the pain you have now, just saying you would be in a hospital already, not asking us questions.

Most Deadlift "pulls" go from extreme pain to normal soreness in a few day, it is an easy area to activate in the wrong manner and just slip up with.

AGAIN THOUGH

Not a doctor, can't see you.

For peace of mind, I am sure you are going to be fine as it is a very common occurrence.

For more peace of mind, get a doc to tell you that.

In the mean time...

-Take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen
-Take a bath in epsom salt
Then REST REST REST-ICE ICE ICE-REST REST REST

Make sure to lay in a supported and comfortable area.
Do not get cocky and start moving around to see if you feel better, especially if medicated or you will make it worse once it wears off.

I hope you feel better and ask any questions you may have:)

(edit) Until you know what is wrong or just start feeling better walking around and moving to much isn't the best idea. You could worsen the problem. That being said stay rested in a proper elevated position and rotate rest positions.
Click to expand...

I have a pretty good doctor, so I will call and set up an appointment to get checked out. I figured that since I am at least able to walk, it can't be TOO serious. I am glad to hear that most back injuries get reasonably better in a few days, I will see the doc, but I will also hope this is the case for me. I have what I like to think is a very supportive, comfy bed, but I do have a question about the ice. Should I just put on an ice pack for short amounts of time a few times a day, and never use heat? Or should I use a heat pad as well? Im not going to move unnecessarily, but I will get up for food, bathroom, etc...

Thanks so much for your quick reply, more of a help than I can possibly express!
 
(Silent) said:
Also, to test your back pain to ensure it is simply a muscle pull and not possible nerve damage. Lie on the floor and raise one leg straight up. If you feel pain in the back area of your leg while raising your foot about a foot or two off the ground it might be more of a nerve problem then a muscle problem.
Click to expand...

I'll check myself out regarding this, I sure hope its not nerve related...
 
MarkMyWords said:
Im not going to move unnecessarily, but I will get up for food, bathroom, etc...
Click to expand...

This is for the most part what i meant ;) Do what you can on your own.
If it is a muscle strain laying in bed for days on end while letting everyone els do stuff for you will only make the problem worse.
 
OK, I am pretty stubborn anyways, so I insist on doing most stuff myself, even while slightly injured. I layed on my back and lifted each foot up a bit, and there was no pain, so I think I'm ok in the nerve department. Thanks for lookin out for me, both of ya!
 
Neither Silent or Leigh may see this, but I wanted to update anyways, and also thank you for your help and kind words a couple weeks ago.

Today, I felt as though I was ready to fit in deads into my workout again. So I led with them, started slow, worked my way up, and made it up to my full weight with no problems. I feel great, more mentally than anything!

So, I am glad I got over it in just 2 weeks, and again, thanks for your help!
 
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