Hello Dr.
About a month ago, I pulled my lower back muscle (right hand side). The pain was severe for about 5 minutes, and it came down mild for about a week, and I felt completely pain free after about two weeks. I watched your video about “rehab”, therefore, I started to lift immediately (I know it has been two weeks already, but…) on the first day I did not feel any pain until I jumped my squat to 115lbs, that sharp pain like a needle, I had to stop.
I then rest another week, and I was sure I was 100% pain free, but this time, I started with deadlift, after warm ups, I tried 135lbs, on the 2nd rep, the sharp pain came again. Those two later sharp pain were the same, they went away immediately, the tightness also went away overnight.
After another week of the rest(begins this Monday), I really started with something light, I followed the novice program, Monday, pain free, Wednesday, pain free, today(Friday), squat 115lbs three sets of five no pain, bench press 225 threes sets, and then when I started deadlift 65(5) 85(5), and the sharp pain came again on my third rep of 105, same pain feeling, same everything, it went away immediately, the tightness left there, I know it will go away tomorrow, I can bent over and do all crazy things without any pain now. I have been patient. I am 28, 6 ft. 200lbs, before my back injury I squat 365lb (3 sets of 3), deadlift 335 for 5, bench press 245(3sets of 3) press 160lb(3sets of 5).
I have been patient Dr. I really started light, but that ongoing sharpness pain scares me, what is your advise? Start even lighter? But when can I make sure my back is healed completely, because I am sure my back will be 100% pain free tomorrow, but if I deadlift 135lbs, most likely, the sharpness will bother me. I am waiting for your advise Dr.
Charlie,
Thanks for the message and hope you’re well.
I’m not sure if there’s anything going on other than you’ve got some fear about moving into certain positions after you lift. Sharp pain with the duration, onset, and relief as you describe suggests nothing is actually wrong with your back and you most assuredly did not “pull a lower back muscle”.
That said, I’d be wondering how you’re deadlifting 65 and 85lbs for instance. Are you using bumper plates? If not, how are you spacing the bar up to the correct position? If your technique is a bit odd it might be making you feel a bit of pain, but again I want to reiterate that there’s likely nothing wrong with your back that’s causing this pain. You will get better.
And my wife just told me, when I stand upright, that sharp pain lower back area concave a little bit compared to the left lower back side.
This is unlikely to be a significant finding here.