Upper back muscle pull, Prone to get repulled easily?

[WalkingBeast]

Hey everyone!! I went to the ER today to get my back checked out. The pain became real sharp and it hurt to lay down and breathe. haha. After feeling the bumps in my spine, the doc said my spine seemed fine and it was probabally just a muscle pull or tear, and to take some more time off, (gave me some perkesets and muscle relaxers.) Come back to the gym with lightweights and machines. Scary shit. haha The question I have is will the muscle pull in my upper back be more prone to getting reinjured now? If I give it some more time to recover and go back to normal training, you think it will get pulled often? Im hoping weight lifting can strengthen it, but unsure. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[Paulo]

Shit, man, sorry to hear about that. I think you should pursue a good stretching routine. My muscles have always been real tight, so when I feel like they are going to lockup, I will do some quick stretches and it will prevent my back from going wacky.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Shit, man, sorry to hear about that. I think you should pursue a good stretching routine. My muscles have always been real tight, so when I feel like they are going to lockup, I will do some quick stretches and it will prevent my back from going wacky.

ThanX brother!!! You think maybe some dead hangs would be good? Ive always done them on deadlift and back day. Seems to loosen me up a bit. The stretches make a big difference for you?
What type of stretches do you do? Sounds like I may be doing that. haha. Im hoping this doesnt become a problem on benching.
Cuz I pulled my upper back (right side only) benching, after having injured my lowerback deadlifting (bar behind legs). The pull switched from lower to upper, just felt a crack when I lowered the bar. Hopefully itll heal up and not be a problem. ThanX again!!!!!

 

[from zero]

Damn bro, I'm not sure what to say to help you out.

Try hanging from the chin up bar, as you said.

Also see if you can do a spine-twist stretch, by putting your knee up, and twisting around, using your elbow to stretch yourself.

 

[supersizeme]

i don't think it's going to be any more prone to getting pulled than beforehand as long as you let it fully heal. you'll want to stay away from maxing on any exercises for quite a while. even once you're back hitting the weights hard you don't want to be maxing(this goes for bench maxes as well as deads). unless you're a powerlifter, there's no need to max out anyways other than to feed one's ego. progress is more safely gauged via increasing reps/weights on sets. it's just not worth it as you're finding out right now. i pulled my back like you did a couple of years ago on a set of deads after i had increased weight too quickly. if i remember correctly, i took a full week off from the gym and then didn't do deadlifts again for about three weeks to make sure the muscle was fully healed. once i started pulling again, i lowered the weights and increased poundages much slower over the following weeks. i haven't had a problem with it since.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Damn bro, I'm not sure what to say to help you out.

Try hanging from the chin up bar, as you said.

Also see if you can do a spine-twist stretch, by putting your knee up, and twisting around, using your elbow to stretch yourself.

ThanX brother!!! Appreciate your concern! Nice, never tried that stretch before. Its still a little painful to do. Keep getting stronger brother!!! All these PR's are getting me PUMPED even though I cant get in the gym now. Cant wait to train again! ThanX again!!

 

[WalkingBeast]

i don't think it's going to be any more prone to getting pulled than beforehand as long as you let it fully heal. you'll want to stay away from maxing on any exercises for quite a while. even once you're back hitting the weights hard you don't want to be maxing(this goes for bench maxes as well as deads). unless you're a powerlifter, there's no need to max out anyways other than to feed one's ego. progress is more safely gauged via increasing reps/weights on sets. it's just not worth it as you're finding out right now. i pulled my back like you did a couple of years ago on a set of deads after i had increased weight too quickly. if i remember correctly, i took a full week off from the gym and then didn't do deadlifts again for about three weeks to make sure the muscle was fully healed. once i started pulling again, i lowered the weights and increased poundages much slower over the following weeks. i haven't had a problem with it since.

Awesome brother! Just what I needed to hear. What should I limit my reps to you think? On the benches for example, since I may not even deadlift at all for a few weeks. Also you think my strength will go to shit from all this time off? Thats what freaks me out most, and possibly losing muscle mass. Though my arms still measure the same, but chest and back is my main concern. Are you back to deadlifting the same weights as before? Or havent maxed since? ThanX alot brother!! That helped alot man.

 

[Buddy_Christ]

i tweaked a muscle running from my neck to my shoulder the first week of september. it hasn't gone away since, at least not completely. i took a 5 day break after it happened, day 5 being a leg workout, then was back in my normal routine. i took it easy the rest of that week until i was feeling better.

one morning a month later, i guess i slept funny and tweaked it in my sleep. that day's workout was hell and i quit early because of the pain. it wasn't as bad as the first time though.

it's bothered me on and off, and this past week mostly because i crack my neck a few times a day when it's stiff (just by turning my head, i don't force it with my hands).

take it easy on it and let it heal. i jumped back in too quick. injury sucks. flaring it up again makes it even worse.

btw, it's percocet. and i'd be more than happy to take it off your hands for you lol

be careful taking percocet and a muscle relaxer at the same time. if you are not used to it, you're gonna knock yourself out. muscle relaxer alone is enough to knock most people out. i spent 2 months on flexoril when i first injured my back and i was half asleep the entire time. just rest up and take it easy on yourself. lots of streching and work easy until you're ok again. good luck!

 

[WalkingBeast]

i tweaked a muscle running from my neck to my shoulder the first week of september. it hasn't gone away since, at least not completely. i took a 5 day break after it happened, day 5 being a leg workout, then was back in my normal routine. i took it easy the rest of that week until i was feeling better.

one morning a month later, i guess i slept funny and tweaked it in my sleep. that day's workout was hell and i quit early because of the pain. it wasn't as bad as the first time though.

it's bothered me on and off, and this past week mostly because i crack my neck a few times a day when it's stiff (just by turning my head, i don't force it with my hands).

take it easy on it and let it heal. i jumped back in too quick. injury sucks. flaring it up again makes it even worse.

btw, it's percocet. and i'd be more than happy to take it off your hands for you lol

be careful taking percocet and a muscle relaxer at the same time. if you are not used to it, you're gonna knock yourself out. muscle relaxer alone is enough to knock most people out. i spent 2 months on flexoril when i first injured my back and i was half asleep the entire time. just rest up and take it easy on yourself. lots of streching and work easy until you're ok again. good luck!

ThanX brother!! Yes, thats the hardest part! haha. Trying to rest up now. Hate resting this long! I kind of went freestyle with the spelling. I'll be careful with the painkillers and muscle relaxers. What about taking them before sleep? ThanX again!

 

[Rosscoe]

Rest, rest, rest my friend!

I personally wouldn't do anything to aggrevate the injury site. Once injured/torn, a muscle needs a lot of R & R. There is fuck all you can do apart from gentle stretching and firm massage that will make it heal faster. Massage/stretching will create blood flow to the injury site that will feed the muscle with nutrients if you eating well, aiding recovery. I would stay away from back work until it has fully healed otherwise you risk repeating the injury. When you feel it has healed fully, steadily increase the work load over a few weeks.

There is no real magical cure for torn muscles. Only time, good diet and awareness will help.

 

[LftHndPwrHouse]

i have experience in this one brother. Over the summer i tore the muscle and ligiment that attaches from your lower back to your hip.
With an upper back pull you should be ok as long as you give it time to heel. I got back in to the gym by doing some light circut training for a couple of wks. I also did alot of swimming. That alows you to use your back muscles but the water supports your body weight.
Lower back pulls are what you have to watch out for. Once you get one of those you tend to have back probs for the rest of your life. Upper back muscles tend to act like any other muscle pull.

Good luck. Get some rest. Karma for u!

 

[FatRat]

Walking Beast - good advice above, stretch, rest etc. Also try to get a couple of sessions of deep tissue massage if you can. I guarantee that you will have knots all over your back which prevent the muscles contracting properly and actually cause a build up of waste products inside the muscle. You will be amazed by the difference it makes and it will speed recovery no end…

 

[Buddy_Christ]

ThanX brother!! Yes, thats the hardest part! haha. Trying to rest up now. Hate resting this long! I kind of went freestyle with the spelling. I'll be careful with the painkillers and muscle relaxers. What about taking them before sleep? ThanX again!

space them out if possible, unless you wanna get higher than a kite, wake up with a hangover, and have one hell of a time waking up in the morning. generally, a pain killer is going to take 30-60 minutes to kick in and will last for 4 hours. muscle relaxer same onset time, except the duration can be up to 6-8 hours, depending on strength. both will dry you out, so you need LOTS of water. you're not going to be peeing much either unless you're drinking overly excessive amounts. so as far as taking them both together before bed...i'd say no. your best bet to minimize an addiction and excessive drowsyness is to space them apart by 2 hours or so.

R&R. you'll be back in it soon enough. everyone else has given you some great advice as well. good luck!

 

[Tweakle]

mmm percocet, good shit there bor. Hope you get over it soon, if it's a pull or sprain it shouldnt take that much longer to heal up.. dont let it get you too down!

 

[WalkingBeast]

Rest, rest, rest my friend!

I personally wouldn't do anything to aggrevate the injury site. Once injured/torn, a muscle needs a lot of R & R. There is fuck all you can do apart from gentle stretching and firm massage that will make it heal faster. Massage/stretching will create blood flow to the injury site that will feed the muscle with nutrients if you eating well, aiding recovery. I would stay away from back work until it has fully healed otherwise you risk repeating the injury. When you feel it has healed fully, steadily increase the work load over a few weeks.

There is no real magical cure for torn muscles. Only time, good diet and awareness will help.

ThanX brother!!! Unfortunately I cant afford deep massage and dont think my insurance covers it either. haha But I must say its feeling better again. And crazy as it is , I actually trained arms today. haha Just light weights. Did go up to the 50lb dumbells though, for curls and felt no pain. Strangely enough the pain is when I try to turn over while laying down. Thats the only time I really feel it now. Felt real good to get in the gym and do something finally! Though I was pissed cuz I felt small. Strangely enough my measurements are the same and bodyweight was at 188 on an empty stomache, which is good for me. Maybe its mental. ThanX again!

 

[WalkingBeast]

i have experience in this one brother. Over the summer i tore the muscle and ligiment that attaches from your lower back to your hip.
With an upper back pull you should be ok as long as you give it time to heel. I got back in to the gym by doing some light circut training for a couple of wks. I also did alot of swimming. That alows you to use your back muscles but the water supports your body weight.
Lower back pulls are what you have to watch out for. Once you get one of those you tend to have back probs for the rest of your life. Upper back muscles tend to act like any other muscle pull.

Good luck. Get some rest. Karma for u!

ThanX brother!! It started as a lower back pull from deadlifts. Then six days later I attempted to bench and when I had the bar at my chest I felt a cracking in my upper back, with pain, and racked the weight. So the pull actually moved. haha Hopefully it wont cause permanent lower back problems like you said. ThanX for the encouragement!

 

[WalkingBeast]

Walking Beast - good advice above, stretch, rest etc. Also try to get a couple of sessions of deep tissue massage if you can. I guarantee that you will have knots all over your back which prevent the muscles contracting properly and actually cause a build up of waste products inside the muscle. You will be amazed by the difference it makes and it will speed recovery no end…

Awesome brother!! Something to look forward to in the future perhaps. Looking for a chiropractor thats covered by my insurance, when I find one, I would like to make regular visits. I havent even picked up the pain medication and muscle relaxers yet. I usually like to heal up without the drugs if possible. Dont want to get so buzzed that I sleep all day and miss meals. haha
ThanX again!

 

[WalkingBeast]

space them out if possible, unless you wanna get higher than a kite, wake up with a hangover, and have one hell of a time waking up in the morning. generally, a pain killer is going to take 30-60 minutes to kick in and will last for 4 hours. muscle relaxer same onset time, except the duration can be up to 6-8 hours, depending on strength. both will dry you out, so you need LOTS of water. you're not going to be peeing much either unless you're drinking overly excessive amounts. so as far as taking them both together before bed...i'd say no. your best bet to minimize an addiction and excessive drowsyness is to space them apart by 2 hours or so.

R&R. you'll be back in it soon enough. everyone else has given you some great advice as well. good luck!

ThanX brother!! You and everyone else has been majorly helpful! I was a bit freaked taking time off like this, and thinking the injury was permanent. ThanX again!

 

[WalkingBeast]

mmm percocet, good shit there bor. Hope you get over it soon, if it's a pull or sprain it shouldnt take that much longer to heal up.. dont let it get you too down!

ThanX brother!!!! Cant wait to hit those 18.5 inch arms like you. That shit pumps me up! 19 soon!!!!! Go KILL that shit!!!!!!