Back/hip pain

“Red Flags” Hello!

I was recently watching one of your YouTube videos with Dr. Feigenbaum and Dr. Baraki on pain. In the video you both referenced acute and chronic pain and whether or not they came with “red flags”. I was hoping to find out more on what the red flag symptoms are and what they might mean.

My specific sitautio is in November 2018 I had a slow onset of nerve-like discomfort posteriorly in the buttock and lateral hamstring following training sessions the next morning. I continued to train but modified some loads and movements to avoid what caused it discomfort but moving all together is pain free once I’ve started training. It’s simply the next morning, seated positions and arising from seated positions that I receive that “electrical” sensation through the buttock and hamstring. Lying prone and initiating a hip extension test has revealed my left glute is not firing to the same capacity as the right.

History: trained for 10 years, 4-6 days week depending on phases. S/B/DL focused. Do not a work sedentary job, on my feet and moving lost of the day. However over the last year I would note at the end of some training sessions the left side of my back, QL/erector region would feel specifically fatigued or “tight”. Not overweight/diabetic/no previous history of injuries or surgery to the low back or hips/no infections/ etc.

SO… my question to you would be what would some red flags be outside of this pain has lingered for more than six weeks and it hurts mostly in the mornings or some side-lying positions? Any recommendations on modifying training? Or just any thoughts at all?

Appreciate any time that is taken for this!

Thank You,

Steve Knox

It doesn’t sound like you’re reporting any of the “red flag” symptoms. In fact, over 80% of acute back pain presents with at least one red flag sign/symptom, even though less than 1% of back pain actually has a “dangerous” cause.

It’s difficult to give individualized advice with respect to programming/modifying training outside of the more general advice we’ve given in our public content. If you are looking for specific / individualized advice, I’d recommend a consult with our rehab guys: Contact Us | Barbell Medicine

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