Tweaked back

I recently tweaked my back earlier this week. This isn’t the first time it has happened. Normally I would have taken the time off but ever since I’ve started following Barbell Medicine and Starting Stregth, I’ve decided to try different ways to get through this obstacle. So here’s what happened so far(I’m on my second month of LP @ 6 ft, 201 lbs, male, 21 years old):

I felt the discomfort on Monday while doing squats. I finished training that day successfully though. The next day, the discomfort was a little worse, having some trouble doing simple things like bending over and tying my shoes or just simply picking something up from the floor, so I decided to move around whenever I could the entire day. I did air squats/deadlifts throughout the day. I had felt a little better at the end of the day. Come Wednesday, I did the same routine throughout the day and when I went to the gym, I tried squatting/deadlifting 95 lbs and pressed a little lighter than usual, it was not comfortable, but I managed to get through it. On Thursday, I did the same thing again and tried staying active throughout the day. Things were getting better that day. On Friday, I decided to squat and deadlift 135lbs and managed to bench normally that day. The squat was the most uncomfortable that day, but my deadlifts felt okay. Today, I woke up with the discomfort worse than I’ve had all week. I don’t know what happened and I am slightly confused as to why this happened lol. So my question is: is there anything I else I can do to relieve my stiff back? Should I just keep squatting/deadlifting and staying active?

Sorry to hear it.

Yes, you should keep moving, staying active, and squatting and deadlifting. If it re-tweaked, you may have attempted to increase the load too soon/too aggressively, OR just failed to brace adequately. Wear a belt, treat 95 lbs like 495 lbs and rather than jump to 135 the next time, try 105 or 115. Build some momentum, both physically and mentally.

Thanks for the tips. I’ll be sure to use them. I also want to add that I have recently caught a pretty nasty fever during this time, and I’m not sure whether that plays a role in the pain coming back.

Also, on that subject, what are your thoughts on training while sick? Not just a day under the weather, but more like a pretty bad flu/fever where I feel extremely sluggish throughout the days.

Depends how sick you are, and how important training is to you at that particular time. For the casual trainee, probably not worth it.

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