Back Pain When Doing Squats/Deadlifts

[The Red Dragon]

When I used to do these two movements most of the pain/exertion was directed at my erectors exclusively. Now my entire lower back region gets this sharp pain (around the joint) along with a feeling of being supercompressed. After doing a set, I can't bend over because I'd get this sharp pain projecting outwards. The pain persists to a lesser extent outside the gym. I've had this for a month or two. I took a break for 2 weeks to let it heal. It did heal as I felt no pain while outside the gym, from this I infered that it would disappear when I trained but it came back...although my back doesn't hurt when I'm not training. I'm 18 if that helps.

 

[Atomic Punk]

How long have you been training?

 

[PancakeFiend]

my 2 cents: give up deadlifts for a little while and work on hyperextensions/reverse hyperextensions for reps, concentrate on hamstrings, abs, upper back

 

[casualbb]

Ask someone to watch your form, you may be twisting your trunk during the motion which can put torque on the spine. Worst comes to worst, see a sports medicine doctor.

 

[supreme]

Well,

I have a whole bunch of ideas, I think the first place is to look at your form. Also read the recent post on ab training. Your TVA must be contracted to provide a lateral tension on the thoracolumbar fascia to prevent movement of the spine. A belt CANNOT do this.

Also the idea of strengthening your whole core especially spinal erectors is absolutely necessary, but again proper form is crucial!

I would increase your core training, keep the squats & deads but lower the weight and make sure you have perfect form on every set

I will post up a bunch of links later that will tons of useful info, but you will really need to read them thouroughly and have someone (who is qualified!!) evaluate your form or you will run the risk of more injuries.

Sounds to me like either you strained a muscle for if it was a spinal ligamament it would take months to heal; or you herniated a disk, for when the spine is in forward flexion, the nucleus of the disk travels posteriorly and pushes on spinal nerves. If it is this, the above mentioned core training and proper form can fix it without surgery. Only an MRI can tell if it is a herniated disk.

S

 

[The Red Dragon]

I've been training 8 months cumulatively. I watch my form using a mirror (I look my my left as I deadlift to check if my back is straight throughout the motion).
Hmm I should get it checked out by a doctor. It doesn't really hurt as much when I'm out of the gym anymore, when it did before, it was mostly centralized to the left. It's near the dimple is beside the spine right above the ass. I think I'm gonna stop going heavy until I get a diagnosis. In the mean time I'll do as you suggested (core training). That would suck if I herniated something or damage a ligament.
I do everything raw, but I never really trained my abs directly.
I go to a university gym so most of my questions are directed at those who lift the most...not very many PTs there...especially at my university.

 

[Cuthbert]

The fact that you are looking in a mirror to your left when you deadlift more than likely puts torque on your spine. Learn to feel when your back is flat or rounded.

Video your form. Post it. Get it critiqued, then work to improve it.

Use lower weights, good form, and work your way up to the heavy weights. Do this, while performing lots of hypers, reverse hypers, and LIGHT good mornings to get your back strength up to par.

PREhab is the best way to take care of your back.. not rehab.