Low Back Rehab Template

Pain & Rehab Forum [Moderated]
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Hi, everyone - hope this finds you doing safe and sound during these times.

After a LOT of back and forth attempting to rehab my lower back on my own, I went ahead and purchased the corresponding rehab template - I’m excited to start this tomorrow, but had a couple questions:

  1. What would be the most appropriate response in case of a flare-up in pain? I know that BM has historically recommended a decrease in intensity, but say, for someone who had been ‘cured’ by the end of phase 1, then started experiencing symptoms again by Phase 2, what would the best of course of action be? Return to phase 1? Or stay the course by modifying the intensity/volume for that and the subsequent sessions in phase 2/3?

  2. Regarding the prescribed intensity, would it be better to go by effort level, or tolerance level? For example, if I find that ‘X’ weight at 15 reps @RPE 4 is too painful, would it be better to decrease the load to better tolerate the volume (even if down to the empty barbell)? I want to think the answer is yes, but I’d like to be 100% sure.

  3. In regard to the supplemental exercises, how do we increase the intensity of the body weight stuff in order to get to the prescribed effort levels? Say, superman, for example.

Apologies in advance if these have already been answered elsewhere, and many thanks for the guidance!

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@hfierro Hey, thanks for purchasing the template.

  1. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going back a phase due to a flare-up but case context matters. Typically I’d initial alter loads (volume, intensity, frequency, etc). See here for further guidance on this approach: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog…ining-what-do/

  2. You are correct. I’d rather folks hit the prescribed sets and reps @ RPE then worry about a particular external load.

  3. Excellent question. You can progress the difficulty of the exercise. Example if you are doing curl-ups then you can go to sit-ups then GHD sit-ups or you can add an exertnal load. Supermans → hip-hinging movement such as good mornings (see photo).

Be sure to check out our low back rehab template thread as well: https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/fo…rehab-template

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@Michael_Ray Much appreciated! As always, thanks for all the work that you guys do.

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