back problems - Bodybuilding Discussion on Bodybuilding.net Training Forum

Cradler · 08-27-2008, 12:00 PM

monday i was squatting (deep, low bar) pretty heavy with what i would have said was good form, except that as rip recommends, i was keeping my head down. after that WO, there was a point just at the bottom of my back that was hurting pretty badly, but i figured it was just a kind of soreness and took a few ibuprofen, nothing major. but i was DLing today and it came back to the point where i had to stop my workout - absolutely HATE doing this, as i'm sure all of you guys do too - and so now i'm just frustrated and stuck feeling like i didn't do any work at all.

so my question is - is keeping the head down worth it? is it unsafe if done properly or was i just screwing it up (bending my back with my neck, etc)? and should i do any exercise (i was planning on swimming later) that doesn't involve heavy lifting or just not do anything at all?

since wrestling season is coming up very soon i want to get back into full swing as soon as possible... any help would be greatly appreciated.

Andrew.cook · 08-27-2008, 12:21 PM

Totally sucks, Cradler.

Here is what I can tell you from my own nagging back issues (lumbar area). I have found that the worst thing I can do is to do absolutely nothing. If I lay around my problem gets worse. In fact, I have read in general that staying mobile on an injured back is the right answer MOST (not all) of the time. In conjunction, I would say to try to stretch it out if it is a muscular problem and not a pinched nerve/disk issue. However, the best bet (if this is something new) is to hit the doctor. The only reason I treat/diagnose my own issue is because I have been to the doctor multiple times for the exact same issue. It is muscular in nature and the doctors all admit there is little they can do. I wouldn't suggest you self diagnose on this first time. If it ends up being a chronic problem like I have, then you will have a better idea of how to handle it without needing to seek medical help.

Cradler · 08-27-2008, 12:32 PM

yeah, lumbar area sounds about accurate here, too... thanks for your help andrew. i'll talk to the trainer about it, see what i can do. in the meantime i am gonna just absolutely inhale advil.

Andrew.cook · 08-27-2008, 01:24 PM

I'm not a big fan of pain killers.

So... where exactly is the pain and what causes it to flare up? Just curious.

ChinPieceDave667 · 08-27-2008, 01:54 PM

I feel you on this one Cradler. If you don't know what it is, nerve or muscle, than go so the doc. hope you feel better.

EricT · 08-27-2008, 02:05 PM

Don't look down when you're squatting. The body tends to follow the head. I'm not sure that Rip reccomends that though, does he?

Usually a low bar squat is not going to mean a terribly deep squat. Too much torso inclination so that looks like a problem right off the bat. You want to squat deep you want a high bar squat...the lower the bar the more difficult it will be to squat deep since the body will not be able to remain as upright.

Other than that you want to squat deep you need the hip and ankle mobility to do it. You need the core stability. You need to stay tight at the bottom. Otherwise the lower back will round out and you can get an ouchie.

Andrew.cook · 08-28-2008, 07:53 AM

Actually, I think that he reccomends a neutral head position, but when you squat down and your body leans forward... then you would be looking down. That is how I understand it. I try to look straight ahead through the motion. Part of this is based on watching myself in the mirror when I squat (looking for below parallel if free squatting, watching knees if box squatting).

_Wolf_ · 08-28-2008, 08:41 AM

Rippetoe insists on looking down.

MONSTAFACE · 08-28-2008, 08:43 AM

dont take those pain killers!!!!!! i have always hated them and i hate them even worst now. they serve their purpose, but even if you do take them i suggest you taking one just to maybe get you through and thats it

MONSTAFACE · 08-28-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Wolf_

Rippetoe insists on looking down.

i really dont know a lot about rippetoe, and i m pretty sure he is a smart guy, but i personally think that isnt good advice

08-27-2008, 12:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cradler Rank: Member Experience: 1-2 Years Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 319 Country: Gender:	back problems monday i was squatting (deep, low bar) pretty heavy with what i would have said was good form, except that as rip recommends, i was keeping my head down. after that WO, there was a point just at the bottom of my back that was hurting pretty badly, but i figured it was just a kind of soreness and took a few ibuprofen, nothing major. but i was DLing today and it came back to the point where i had to stop my workout - absolutely HATE doing this, as i'm sure all of you guys do too - and so now i'm just frustrated and stuck feeling like i didn't do any work at all. so my question is - is keeping the head down worth it? is it unsafe if done properly or was i just screwing it up (bending my back with my neck, etc)? and should i do any exercise (i was planning on swimming later) that doesn't involve heavy lifting or just not do anything at all? since wrestling season is coming up very soon i want to get back into full swing as soon as possible... any help would be greatly appreciated.

08-27-2008, 01:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
ChinPieceDave667 Rank: Middleweight Experience: 5-7 Years Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 7th layer.. or DC. Posts: 2,233 Country: Gender:	I feel you on this one Cradler. If you don't know what it is, nerve or muscle, than go so the doc. hope you feel better.
	ChinPieceDave667's Sig:Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present. MONSTER: My Strength Endurance Journal, Part 2: The Strength Endurance Journal Returns <--NEW BULKING: My 5X5 Journal CUTTING: My CKD Max-OT Journal, My HST Cutting Journal

08-27-2008, 02:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
EricT Moderator Rank: Heavyweight Experience: 7-10 Years Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,835 Country: Gender:	Don't look down when you're squatting. The body tends to follow the head. I'm not sure that Rip reccomends that though, does he? Usually a low bar squat is not going to mean a terribly deep squat. Too much torso inclination so that looks like a problem right off the bat. You want to squat deep you want a high bar squat...the lower the bar the more difficult it will be to squat deep since the body will not be able to remain as upright. Other than that you want to squat deep you need the hip and ankle mobility to do it. You need the core stability. You need to stay tight at the bottom. Otherwise the lower back will round out and you can get an ouchie.
	EricT's Sig:I'm tired of the myth that bb'rs aren't flexible. As a group, they are extremely flexible. They have an amazing ability to bend over, place their heads between their legs, and blow smoke up their own asses.

08-28-2008, 08:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
_Wolf_ Rank: Light Heavyweight Experience: 3-5 Years Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas Posts: 3,832 Gender:	Rippetoe insists on looking down.
	_Wolf_'s Sig:Training Log APT Pro Wrist Straps

08-28-2008, 08:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
MONSTAFACE Rank: Lightweight Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: philly Posts: 1,369 Country: Gender:	dont take those pain killers!!!!!! i have always hated them and i hate them even worst now. they serve their purpose, but even if you do take them i suggest you taking one just to maybe get you through and thats it
	MONSTAFACE's Sig:OH SHIT!!!! ITS THE COPS!!!! You clearly don't know shit about fuck - KANE You're not some sort of mystical creature that is immune to a training effect- KANE I wish there was an entity that represented the term "injury" if it was, i would find it and beat the living shit out of it!!!!! yes......i just type and press enter, i dont proofread i did enough of that in college. you know what i meant when i typed it anyway www.myspace.com/monstaface

08-27-2008, 12:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Andrew.cook Banned Rank: Member Experience: 10+ Years Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lancaster, Ohio Posts: 353 Country: Gender:	Totally sucks, Cradler. Here is what I can tell you from my own nagging back issues (lumbar area). I have found that the worst thing I can do is to do absolutely nothing. If I lay around my problem gets worse. In fact, I have read in general that staying mobile on an injured back is the right answer MOST (not all) of the time. In conjunction, I would say to try to stretch it out if it is a muscular problem and not a pinched nerve/disk issue. However, the best bet (if this is something new) is to hit the doctor. The only reason I treat/diagnose my own issue is because I have been to the doctor multiple times for the exact same issue. It is muscular in nature and the doctors all admit there is little they can do. I wouldn't suggest you self diagnose on this first time. If it ends up being a chronic problem like I have, then you will have a better idea of how to handle it without needing to seek medical help.

08-27-2008, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cradler Rank: Member Experience: 1-2 Years Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 319 Country: Gender:	yeah, lumbar area sounds about accurate here, too... thanks for your help andrew. i'll talk to the trainer about it, see what i can do. in the meantime i am gonna just absolutely inhale advil.

08-27-2008, 01:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andrew.cook Banned Rank: Member Experience: 10+ Years Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lancaster, Ohio Posts: 353 Country: Gender:	I'm not a big fan of pain killers. So... where exactly is the pain and what causes it to flare up? Just curious.

08-28-2008, 07:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Andrew.cook Banned Rank: Member Experience: 10+ Years Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lancaster, Ohio Posts: 353 Country: Gender:	Actually, I think that he reccomends a neutral head position, but when you squat down and your body leans forward... then you would be looking down. That is how I understand it. I try to look straight ahead through the motion. Part of this is based on watching myself in the mirror when I squat (looking for below parallel if free squatting, watching knees if box squatting).

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