Hi, I’ve “graduated” to an intermediate program about 10 months ago, and have managed to progress on all my lifts quite well.
My 1RM in the deadlift, in a moderate setting, with a hand injury, without straps, double-over grip, is 185Kg, which was 2.5 months ago.
Since then, I have started a new cycle of HLM with my new maxes, but about 5-6 weeks ago, I tweaked my back which caused pain in my right thigh. That pain in the leg is gone, however, the area is still numb.
I’ve been deadlifting since, with lower weight but have some restriction when bending over for a deadlift, but after a deadlift session my lower back is tight the next couple of days.
Should I be concerned about the numbness?
Any suggestion on how to progress with my deadlift? I don’t want to stop deadlifting, but is there anything I should be doing/avoiding/adding to get back to normal with it?
Sorry to hear you are dealing with this issue. Potentially you are rushing the process, especially if you are having increased symptoms post-training. Perhaps try dialing back intensity a bit more and upping the volume. If you are experiencing increased symptoms when pulling from the ground then try rack pulls at a comfortable elevation. If the entire movement is bothering you then it’s time to find an alternative for a bit. It is ok to have some symptoms (individualistic tolerance threshold) while training but you shouldn’t have a dramatic spike that lasts several days afterwards. Regarding the numbness, these things can happen and 5-6 weeks isn’t overly concerning. Has the numbness worsened since onset, improved at all, or stayed the same?
Gotcha. Yeah, keep an eye on the numbness. If symptoms worsen or numbness further spreads, would be worth getting a consult. Timeline is difficult to give and individualistic in response to altering programming/training. Lowering intensity and attempting to stay active is a solid approach. Try to view this as an opportunity to improve technique and work on weaknesses. Be patient with the process.