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Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Bad Lower Back

brettmatthew Posts: 17 Joined: 2002/05/07	2002/05/16, 01:51 PM I injured my lower back a while ago so I can't do squats for my leg exercise. I have no problem with seated leg presses, so my question is what else can I do for the 12 week mass building program in place of the squats? It's not that I can't do the squats, I just can't use a lot of weight...185lb is usually the max, that's when I start to feel the twinge in my back. I can usually get up to around 12-15 reps comfortably with that weight. I just don't want to really screw my back up because that is something that will never heal correctly. Any suggestions??
qualters Posts: 343 Joined: 2002/04/21	2002/05/16, 02:34 PM I always use pain as a guide, if you start to hurt stop the motion. Have you ever tried hack squats? Maybe you can rehab your back some too. have you been to the doctor? Maybe doing some hyperextensions and lower back exercises can help to strenghthin your back. BQ
rpacheco Posts: 3,770 Joined: 2001/12/13	2002/05/16, 02:59 PM Yup...you need to strengthen the area a bit. If you don't already, use a weight belt when you do squats. Anyway, the key is to fatigue the muscle...so you don't necessarily have to go heavy each time. Just do more reps. or use alternative methods to accomplish that burn. Good luck! -------------- **_Robert_** Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
mikencharleston Posts: 1,585 Joined: 2002/01/09	2002/05/16, 07:37 PM brett - I've had back problems and surgery myself so I can relate. I don't like belts gut agree with Robert, that you need to wear one for squats (and tighten the stomach up big time). Strengthen your midsection and do a lot of back extensions, not hyper-extensions. I'm no doctor but from what you said you've messed with that nasty old sciattic nerve or a disk or both. I usually just stick with leg presses up to my max then go down with drop sets. Finish up with some leg extensions and you'll be surprised at the pump you can get. Just make sure your form is perfect. Also, like they said above, if it hurts, quit it. :)
brettmatthew Posts: 17 Joined: 2002/05/07	2002/05/17, 09:52 AM Thanks for the input!! From what everyone has been telling me by the way I've described the pain, it's probably the nerve. The pain is not only in my lower back, it sometimes runs into my hips and down my leg a bit. I'm probably going to have to see a doctor at some point. I'm way too young to be having this kind of trouble. When the pain is bad I have trouble bending over to tie my shoes, even when I am sitting. I have to bring my foot up to my hands!!
bigbike Posts: 47 Joined: 2002/05/11	2002/05/22, 05:21 PM If the pain radiates down the leg, you probably have a disc pressing on the sciatic. I herniated 2 discs 18 months ago in my low back at work. I also had the surgery to "remove" (they never fully remove them my doctor said), and then reherniated the partial disc that was left 4 months ago. I know sciatic pain. Take your time, get to a physical therapy place. The sciatic is nothing to mess with. P.T. will help stretch you out and give you specific exercises to do to a) strengthen, b)stretch c)help with the pain. Do not fool around with it. If you sever the nerve, say goodbye to normal leg movement forever and hello to years of p.t. just to be able to walk again.
qualters Posts: 343 Joined: 2002/04/21	2002/05/22, 05:38 PM What can i do i get this pain sometimes too donw my leg, should i see a doctor or just lay off the exercises
ecucop Posts: 1 Joined: 2002/04/04	2002/05/23, 07:30 AM GREAT advise bigbike...I too have had that surgery on my L4-L5 due to a nasty run-in with a deer (Bambi burger everywhere). I had the radiating pain down the leg and ignored it, ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks so DON'T IGNORE THIS QUALTERS!! Go to a doctor and figure out exactly what the problem is. Be smart about your body...you only get one and it gets real expensive to fix if you're not careful.