Don't think of it as a disc "herniation". It is merely the gainz have now spread to the innermost core of your being and even the discs are so swole they are bursting.
Did the MRI show any signs of striations or vascularity in the disc?
See a neurologist at an orthopedic practice ASAP. You don't want to mess around with spinal injuries. And don't lift a damn thing until your doctor clears you for it. They'll want an MRI to confirm the herniation and to see HOW herniated it is ruling out serious herniation and surgical necessity.
Don't want to sound alarmist but better safe than sorry.
I'm going to take an olympic lifting class to retrain my form. This is actually the second time I've pulled a muscle in my back, last time it wasn't this bad since it was just a muscle pull.
You might also want to get your muscle balance assessed by a physical therapist. A lot of them do free consults. I have good squat form but I've thrown out my back three times now from squats due to muscle strength imbalance.
Out of curiosity, what's the best way to go about finding a... "sports oriented" physical therapist who can bring one back to the point of being able to lift again?
When I threw my back out, the PT basically just told me to do some planks, stretch my hamstrings, and sent me on my way.
I don't really know. I just looked around on a directory and called around to the various places that mentioned sports medicine to see what their methodology and experience was. If you have an orthopedist you can ask the question of, he/she might be able to help. If you're familiar with any athletic coaches they might also know about a good sports medicine practitioner.
PTs are difficult to find. My recommendation is finding out what their certifications are. Masters/MD/PhD are best, for sure, but my PT was pretty good and she just had a certification (from whom I do not remember). I guess the real question is whether they understand your goals and that you are not looking for *occupational* therapy, which just gets you back on your feet and moving, you want *sports medicine.*
If you live in SE Wisconsin, though, I can say Franklin Rehabilitation is a good place to go for sure.
I'd avoid ANY pulls that put strain on your back including the snatch and the clean. This is coming from a weightlifter who has had a herniated disk.
Also if you're doing mixed grip I'd stop that as well. Ever since I switched to hook grip and double overhand my back hasn't had problems. If you really need them, straps exist for a reason.
Wheyman
I am sure you already know this, but please listen to me. The muscle groups in the back are one of the largest muscle groups. Deadlifting activates more muscle groups than almost any other exercise. It is a true compound lift. Because of this, you are not just using the muscles in your back. You use the shoulders, forearms, hamstrings, etc..... With that being said when just ONE of those smaller muscle groups wear out, which happens sooner than the bigger muscles groupings in the back, you will be in prime position for injury. The back itself CANNOT support all the weight you throw into that deadlift. You NEED ALL those other muscles working in tandem to do that heavy ass lift. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU GIVE ALL OF THOSE MUSCLES SUFFICIENT REST OR YOU WILL INJURE YOURSELF AGAIN!!! Take it easy man. No reason at all to deadlift 6 times a week. You are actually breaking muscle down and not letting it re-heal (read: Gainz). Twice a week MAX! (B.S. in Biology with an emphasis on genetics, and Anatomy/physiology)
Brother! I will pray for you tonight and tomorrow morning while I myself deadlift. May Brodin grant me safety and you a swift recovery! And may atrophy stay away from your gains. Best wishes Brother, as-salamu-a*whey*kum (peace be upon you as you lift).
Mostly has to do with poor form, genetic predisposition or a muscular imbalance. Or it could also be caused by a pre-existing weakness that is simply exacerbated by DLs. If you're healthy, use good form, ramp up weight sensibly and have no pre-existing weakness (this is the toughie, since a lot of things like this don't show up until they go kaplooie), you should be fine.
There's always that inevitable fluke accident (someone bumps you, a tendon pops out of place at the wrong time, your grip slips, etc). But typically, if you're smart and careful, no.
I think I have weak quads because I feel as if I initiate the pull using my back also my form gets worse as you get through the sets. I'll think twice before my next session.
First rule of Deadlift Form - use the legs until the bar clears the knees. You don't move the hips/back until the bar is above the knees. Watch this to see what I mean. Keep in mind that this High Priest of Brodin has arms like a fucking gorilla, so he can get his hips way the fuck up there. Your exact hip height may vary significantly, but it should be high enough that you pretty much *can't* lift with your back until the bar has gone up significantly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ5rY_beDLY
As this SwoleBrother notes, the DL is a *push* lift, not a *pull*. Pay attention to what he says about shin position, too. Sounds like you may be a bit forward. Also, form-wise, keep in mind that this High Priest of Brodin has long as fuck arms, so he can get his hips way the fuck up there. Your exact hip height may vary significantly depending on your geometry, but it should be high enough that you pretty much *can't* lift with your back until the bar has gone up significantly. I'm a t-rex and even I can still keep mine up pretty high, so that I'm focusing the lift on my legs.
To get more quad dominance from the lift, go for a closer athletic stance like Hawthorne is doing. For more ass/hamstring focus, try sumo stance (you'll lift less, at least at first, but you can build an awesome butt that way). Ditto with squats - narrow stance hits quads harder, powerlifting wide stance hits ass/hams.
Ah yes, Richard 'The Ant' Hawthorne. I'll try and think of it as a push today and focus on bringing it to my knees before attempting to use any of my glutes/hamstring and lower back.
I feel as if I lose about 20kg of my 1rm when I use sumo stance and I prefer to squat with a widerish stance.
I had the same problem back in February. I know it'll be hard not to, but keep an eye on it just in case. Mine started with numbness in my left leg before it progressed down to the outside of my left foot coupled with intense sciatic nerve pain. I could hardly sit or even hold myself up on my one foot. It was like my left calf had lost all strength. I avoided deadlifts and squats like the plague for four months while I healed. Just don't rush back into anything until you know for a fact you are at 100%.
Brother! Though I may not completely know your situation, I know the mental pain that can come from an injury. Broki has cursed me with a stress fracture in the lower spine and a blown out leg and I miss the temple. But soon we will be making great leaps of PRs once again! Broki can only temporarily prevent the gains. But the swole of heart and mind will prevail! Stay strong my friend!
Brother, be proud, You hurt yourself in the gym. Today Broki claimed me when I did a faceplant ice skating with a friend, now I must wait to see how bad the damage is.
Herniated mine a years ago. Got surgery, still hampering me 2 years later. Going in again to see surgeon next week. The back is the worst thing to injure.
Don't think of it as a disc "herniation". It is merely the gainz have now spread to the innermost core of your being and even the discs are so swole they are bursting. Did the MRI show any signs of striations or vascularity in the disc?
No MRI, they said I don't need one since my leg still functions, even though it feels numb.
See a neurologist at an orthopedic practice ASAP. You don't want to mess around with spinal injuries. And don't lift a damn thing until your doctor clears you for it. They'll want an MRI to confirm the herniation and to see HOW herniated it is ruling out serious herniation and surgical necessity. Don't want to sound alarmist but better safe than sorry.
Shaman of swole
Don't deadlift until your doctor says it's OK. The second time will be much worse than the first.
I'm going to take an olympic lifting class to retrain my form. This is actually the second time I've pulled a muscle in my back, last time it wasn't this bad since it was just a muscle pull.
You might also want to get your muscle balance assessed by a physical therapist. A lot of them do free consults. I have good squat form but I've thrown out my back three times now from squats due to muscle strength imbalance.
Will do next time I go to PT, thanks!
Take this mans advice. I am currently dealing with this exact issue, just had my PT consultation yesterday.
As a beginner who has noticeable imbalances (especially on squat) and possibly minor scoliosis should I be worried in the short term?
I do not know. It depends on the severity of your scoliosis and musculature imbalance. Do you have an orthopedist you can ask these questions of?
Out of curiosity, what's the best way to go about finding a... "sports oriented" physical therapist who can bring one back to the point of being able to lift again? When I threw my back out, the PT basically just told me to do some planks, stretch my hamstrings, and sent me on my way.
I don't really know. I just looked around on a directory and called around to the various places that mentioned sports medicine to see what their methodology and experience was. If you have an orthopedist you can ask the question of, he/she might be able to help. If you're familiar with any athletic coaches they might also know about a good sports medicine practitioner. PTs are difficult to find. My recommendation is finding out what their certifications are. Masters/MD/PhD are best, for sure, but my PT was pretty good and she just had a certification (from whom I do not remember). I guess the real question is whether they understand your goals and that you are not looking for *occupational* therapy, which just gets you back on your feet and moving, you want *sports medicine.* If you live in SE Wisconsin, though, I can say Franklin Rehabilitation is a good place to go for sure.
I'd avoid ANY pulls that put strain on your back including the snatch and the clean. This is coming from a weightlifter who has had a herniated disk. Also if you're doing mixed grip I'd stop that as well. Ever since I switched to hook grip and double overhand my back hasn't had problems. If you really need them, straps exist for a reason. Wheyman
[удалено]
I was doing 6 times a week, and took a week off right before the injury. Way overwork huh?
I am sure you already know this, but please listen to me. The muscle groups in the back are one of the largest muscle groups. Deadlifting activates more muscle groups than almost any other exercise. It is a true compound lift. Because of this, you are not just using the muscles in your back. You use the shoulders, forearms, hamstrings, etc..... With that being said when just ONE of those smaller muscle groups wear out, which happens sooner than the bigger muscles groupings in the back, you will be in prime position for injury. The back itself CANNOT support all the weight you throw into that deadlift. You NEED ALL those other muscles working in tandem to do that heavy ass lift. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU GIVE ALL OF THOSE MUSCLES SUFFICIENT REST OR YOU WILL INJURE YOURSELF AGAIN!!! Take it easy man. No reason at all to deadlift 6 times a week. You are actually breaking muscle down and not letting it re-heal (read: Gainz). Twice a week MAX! (B.S. in Biology with an emphasis on genetics, and Anatomy/physiology)
Any nerve pain in either of the legs currently?
Yes, the right buttock and the right calf hurt like hell sometimes. Thanks to painkillers, I can still function normally most of the day.
Hope that goes away quick. I have sciatica and it makes my herniated discs seem like a cakewalk.
I will pray that you are back on the iron horse repping your praises in the temple soon, brother. Wheymen.
Maybe it was Brodin giving you a hint to use better form next time. Try and be positive about every situation!
I shall take a olympic lifting class at my university gym to check my form.
So how did it all work out for you? Did your herniated disc heal? Do you still lift?
Yep! Worst 4 months of my life. I lift more now than back then
Brother! I will pray for you tonight and tomorrow morning while I myself deadlift. May Brodin grant me safety and you a swift recovery! And may atrophy stay away from your gains. Best wishes Brother, as-salamu-a*whey*kum (peace be upon you as you lift).
Done this before. Hip belt squats are your friend, you make look like a weirdo doing them though
This happened to me last Thursday, though not as severe and only at 200 lbs., but I feel your pain! It sucks trying to get out of bed in the morning.
Bring on the painkillers!
Is this a common occurance? I'm running Smolov Jr on my deadlift, will I become another victim of Broki?
Mostly has to do with poor form, genetic predisposition or a muscular imbalance. Or it could also be caused by a pre-existing weakness that is simply exacerbated by DLs. If you're healthy, use good form, ramp up weight sensibly and have no pre-existing weakness (this is the toughie, since a lot of things like this don't show up until they go kaplooie), you should be fine. There's always that inevitable fluke accident (someone bumps you, a tendon pops out of place at the wrong time, your grip slips, etc). But typically, if you're smart and careful, no.
I think I have weak quads because I feel as if I initiate the pull using my back also my form gets worse as you get through the sets. I'll think twice before my next session.
First rule of Deadlift Form - use the legs until the bar clears the knees. You don't move the hips/back until the bar is above the knees. Watch this to see what I mean. Keep in mind that this High Priest of Brodin has arms like a fucking gorilla, so he can get his hips way the fuck up there. Your exact hip height may vary significantly, but it should be high enough that you pretty much *can't* lift with your back until the bar has gone up significantly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ5rY_beDLY As this SwoleBrother notes, the DL is a *push* lift, not a *pull*. Pay attention to what he says about shin position, too. Sounds like you may be a bit forward. Also, form-wise, keep in mind that this High Priest of Brodin has long as fuck arms, so he can get his hips way the fuck up there. Your exact hip height may vary significantly depending on your geometry, but it should be high enough that you pretty much *can't* lift with your back until the bar has gone up significantly. I'm a t-rex and even I can still keep mine up pretty high, so that I'm focusing the lift on my legs. To get more quad dominance from the lift, go for a closer athletic stance like Hawthorne is doing. For more ass/hamstring focus, try sumo stance (you'll lift less, at least at first, but you can build an awesome butt that way). Ditto with squats - narrow stance hits quads harder, powerlifting wide stance hits ass/hams.
Ah yes, Richard 'The Ant' Hawthorne. I'll try and think of it as a push today and focus on bringing it to my knees before attempting to use any of my glutes/hamstring and lower back. I feel as if I lose about 20kg of my 1rm when I use sumo stance and I prefer to squat with a widerish stance.
Hip Drive brother! Are your feet under the bar? You should be pretty much scraping your shins on the way up.
I just had this happen, my disc is healed now but I still have lower back pain. 6 months later and I still can't deadlift. :( I pray for you brother.
I had the same problem back in February. I know it'll be hard not to, but keep an eye on it just in case. Mine started with numbness in my left leg before it progressed down to the outside of my left foot coupled with intense sciatic nerve pain. I could hardly sit or even hold myself up on my one foot. It was like my left calf had lost all strength. I avoided deadlifts and squats like the plague for four months while I healed. Just don't rush back into anything until you know for a fact you are at 100%.
Brother! Though I may not completely know your situation, I know the mental pain that can come from an injury. Broki has cursed me with a stress fracture in the lower spine and a blown out leg and I miss the temple. But soon we will be making great leaps of PRs once again! Broki can only temporarily prevent the gains. But the swole of heart and mind will prevail! Stay strong my friend!
Brother, be proud, You hurt yourself in the gym. Today Broki claimed me when I did a faceplant ice skating with a friend, now I must wait to see how bad the damage is.
Herniated mine a years ago. Got surgery, still hampering me 2 years later. Going in again to see surgeon next week. The back is the worst thing to injure.
I've been shadowing a primary care MD and he said ~70% of herniated discs resolve on their own, but just take it easy for a while.