Possible Leg Length Discrepancy and Recurrent Low Back Pain

Pain & Rehab Forum [Moderated]
1

Hello Drs.,
I starting training one year ago and have been following BBM for about the same amount of time. You guys are great! Since I started training, I have been getting low back pain near the SI area when I squat. The pain is minor to moderate. Until now I have just ignored it and continued training, but I am now starting to feel like my squat is not being trained productively because the consistent pain affects my load selection. I believe I have a tibial leg length discrepancy, but have not had it confirmed by x-ray. The only confirmation was from my MD father that followed the protocol that Mark Rippetoe wrote about. There is a noticeable difference in leg angle when I am standing and my knees appear at different heights in the bottom of a squat. I have adjusted my stance width and toe angle, but nothing seems to noticeably reduce the pain. I know that you guys say that LLD is rarely the cause of pain, which is why I have just ignored the pain as much as possible thus far and continued training. Does a LLD ever actually cause low back pain? How would I know if a shimmed shoe could be helpful?
Thank you

2

How old are you?

How long have you been training?

Have you ever had back pain issues in the past?

What does your programming look like?

3

I am 20 years old. I have been training for one year. Did SSLP, Bridge 1.0, and just finished the Hypertrophy template. I don’t recall ever having back pain prior to training. I have tweaked my upper back a couple of times but continued to train per your recommendations and was back to normal within a week or two. The low back pain has been consistent for the most part, with minor fluctuations in its intensity.

4

I am 20 years old. I have been training for one year. I have done SSLP, Bridge 1.0, and just finished the Hypertrophy template. I don’t recall ever having back pain before I started training. I have tweaked my upper back a couple of times but continued to train per your recommendations and was back to normal within a week or two. The low back pain has been consistent for the most part, with minor fluctuations in its intensity.