Hello and thank you for reading. I have previously paid for programming and was coached by Michael Ray. My experience with him was enjoyable. I had sustained what I, a layman, can only describe as a back injury during squats. My injury feels like a sudden, intense soreness at the base of my spine. Over the next 24-48 hours, the muscles in my low right back and right glute will feel tight and painful. This generally clears up with consistent movement in a week or so. I do, however, have lingering tightness in my right low back up to my mid back along the right side of my spine (QL? Erector? Unsure) for several months.
The most aggravating symptom is occasional numbness in my right leg and foot. The numbness only occurs when I am standing. I generally maintain all of the strength in my foot and leg, although it is completely numb. It does make me feel odd and slightly off balanced. If I go into a squat position, start moving around, or just wait several minutes the numbness goes away.
After completing a months worth of Coach Ray’s programming, the majority of the lingering affects of my back injury were gone. My back felt stable again and I was keeping a positive mindset. The random numbness continued, however. I worked out without issue for a few more months. Until, during a warmup set of back squats with relatively light weight on the bar (185) I experienced the same injury as previously described.
My PR’s at squat and deadlift are both in the mid 400’s. Coach Ray and other coaches have stated my squat form is acceptable. So I’m not sure why this injury continues to reoccur with light weight? It has never happened when using relatively heavy weight I.e. during a PR attempt. I would say the worst part of this whole experience is the numbness. Mind you this has been a constant cycle of injury, symptoms, and recovery, then reinjury for about 4-5 years.
I believe in keeping a positive mindset. I read all of your material about pain and it’s causes, which has helped me greatly. I attempted to use coach Ray’s programming as a permanent solution to this issue, but the symptoms never really went away. I would just like to hear the MD’s opinion if MRI imaging at this point (I’ve never had it done) would be useful. I know for most scenarios it does not reveal the cause of back pain, but I am genuinely curious as to why this keeps occurring and never really heals.
Thank you for reading!