I’ve had low back spasms since I was in high school. I think alot of it has to do with the fear/catastrophising negative cycle, but not exclusively. First started after lifting session when tying shoes after session. Since then I have been mostly sedentary for 20 years.
Since starting strength training I have had a great reduction in symptoms. But the one time I regularly have low back “strain/fatigue” comes when I stand for 20+ minutes. (Think: line to order something or happy hour event). It feels like I’ll have a back spasm and sometimes have them that drop me to the floor.
I control symptoms while standing by putting pressure mainly on my low back, right side just above pelvis. After standing a while the discomfort expands to includes left side low back, then front right hip flexor, the front left hip flexor.
If I sit for 15-30 minutes the symptoms go away.
Been training on BBM Beginner Template for 2 months and reducing weight from 223 to 204 (Goal 180 to get waist below 36"). I also row concept 2 30min 2x per week.
37yo
204 lbs, 29% bf
5’8"
waist 39"
Any thoughts or ideas on how I could reduce symptoms beyond losing body fat and improving strength (going to do that regardless)?
@AdamP Hey, sorry to hear about the low back issues you’ve been dealing with. We’d need a consult to help with this process. With that said, my usual general recommendation is chunking activities/positions/movements that increase symptoms. Meaning, find your tolerance level and then change positions preemptively to help with symptoms, as time goes on then you’d have to do this less and less. Interestingly, there seems to be a common thought that holding the same movement or position for a particular period of time shouldn’t ever feel “different” which is odd given we aren’t robots and can’t simply sustain positions/movements/work capacity endlessly. Hopefully that helps. Here is a link for a consult: Pain & Rehab Consultation