Hello!
I recently was diagnosed with moderate to severe arthritis in my L5-S1 and my doctor strongly recommend ending my powerlifting career especially at 24. While my numbers aren’t impressive by most standards I absolutely love powerlifting. I don’t feel pain when I lift but I feel stiffness and pain at night/in the morning. Feeling pretty lost right now and wanted to see things from a different perspective.
Hello,
Sorry to hear about this. I think this piece would provide a good starting point for you: Pain in Training: What To Do?
Have you thought about modifying your lifts or working with a coach to reduce the impact on your lower back? Maybe explore lower-impact exercises like bodyweight or swimming?
Talk to other powerlifters who’ve dealt with similar issues, they might have valuable insights. Your health is priority, so take a step back and reassess.