Back Strain and recovery time

[karateka1]

Hey everyone, i've done my first ever session of deadlift exercise and i think i've strained my back as a result ( Can feel lower back pain for about 10 days by now, but its not acute and probably not serious. Is it best for me to stay out of the gym for the next week as well to allow my back to rehabilitate properly, or is it possible for me to continue training with other exercises not involving back muscles directly, such as isolation exercises?
P.S.: and how much time should you usually allow the pain to dissappear, before rushing for a doctor?

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by karateka1

Hey everyone, i've done my first ever session of deadlift exercise and i think i've strained my back as a result ( Can feel lower back pain for about 10 days by now, but its not acute and probably not serious. Is it best for me to stay out of the gym for the next week as well to allow my back to rehabilitate properly, or is it possible for me to continue training with other exercises not involving back muscles directly, such as isolation exercises?
P.S.: and how much time should you usually allow the pain to dissappear, before rushing for a doctor?

On the issue of when to see a doctor, if you think it needs checking out then go see one. I ripped all the tendons in the lower back (well that's what the doc said); I reckon they were just badly pulled. It took 2 weeks for initial recovery, barely being able to walk. Then the next 20+ years for it to get stronger, sometimes there are still twinges, but it doesn't lock anymore. So, depending on what you've done, the recovery could be a while; but make sure to keep an eye on it especially when putting back exercises/ squats etc into the routine again.

[karateka1]

20+ years? Thats encouraging Might just rush for the doctor right now =)

[Orome]

If you have had back pain for 10 days it is time to see the doctor, especially if the pain has not improved in 10 days.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by karateka1

20+ years? Thats encouraging Might just rush for the doctor right now =)

Some of the problem, I believe, lay in the fact that 20yrs ago, doctors were more apt to reccommend that you don't move around a lot; it would have been better to gently twist the back, in order to keep it moving...so don't worry too much about the 20yr thing . I finally felt something 'snap' in my back around 5 yrs ago when doing yoga spinal twists, which I think was the scar tissue, and it's been pretty good ever since. All I find now is that it's not advisable to lay in bed for too long, even with a horrendous migraine, because the day after, the back is a little 'weak'; I monitor it daily, but it's no big issue, not like it was anyway...

[yitmy]

TRY STRETCHING IN A HOT SHOWER AND SEE IF THAT RELIEVES YOUR PAIN ANY. Oops cap lock key-sorry. If you still have soreness I agree that you should seek a PT consultation(Orome). You can also describe your pain here and maybe we could point you in the right direction.

[karateka1]

Thanks for the advice everyone. If to describe the pain, that its the kind of sensation that you get in your lower back after carrying two big luggage bags all around the airport for example But I only get that sensation when I bend down to pick something up or just change the angle of my posture by abouts 35-40 degrees Gonna see the doctor next week just in case. I've taken out all the exercises out of my routine which include the lower back, even military press (

[5kgLifter]

Good luck at the docs, wise decision...

[yitmy]

Your doc may not come up with what is wrong so I recommend a physical therapy consult. From what you describe it can be either muscular or a bony lock like a sacral torsion. Both can be treated well by a physiotherapist or in the states physical therapist. Your physician may suggest some antiinflam medication and taking it easy, so you may want to ask him/her if PT is recommended. Some MD/DO will place the order without patient request but some may need to be nudged.

Keep us posted.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by yitmy

Your doc may not come up with what is wrong so I recommend a physical therapy consult

.

Over here, UK, if they cannot do anything about the problem a doctor normally refers the patient to either a specialist, or a physiotherapist, I think it's normal practice...probably one of the reasons we don't consider seeing other people, is because we know we will be referred to a different department, unless we want to see a practitioner that is not covered by the NHS (in a set area), such as an accupuncturist etc.