Middle back "strain" - still need to train

Hi guys,

Long shot here, but feel the need to ask… I sneezed and aggravated something in the middle of my back - towards the bottom of my rib cage just to the left side of my spine - a couple of weeks ago. This sort of thing typically goes away within a few days, but I’m peaking for Raw Nationals and increasing both volume and load right now, which is making it angrier. It hurts like hell when I brace against my belt and is worst after heavy squats. Aside from lightening the load (which I am unwilling to do given that I’m only four weeks out) and NSAIDs, is there anything I can do to keep this from getting worse?

Thanks!
Michelle

Hey Michelle, sorry to hear about the inopportune timing of this. Tough to say there will be anything specific that will miraculously make this feel better. I think the answer lies somewhere in your statement “Aside from lightening the load (which I am unwilling to do given that I’m only four weeks out)”. This is probably a conversation worth having with yourself and your coach (assuming you have one and haven’t already), on what will make for a productive training block leading up to the meet: what’s the minimum effective dose of intensity and volume that will prepare you for the meet vs. tolerance of symptom levels. It doesn’t need to be perfect and can be flexible week to week, but weighing the levels of preparedness, confidence and symptoms with a competition on the horizon can give at least give you some guidelines to follow that gives you the best shot at competing on that day. Hope that helps!

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