21 July 2006, 18:07 in

Lower back injury

My lower back has troubled me in the past, ever since I hurt it during rowing training one cold morning in 2000. Since then I’ve occasionally hurt it doing something really minor such as picking up a piece of paper or walking up some stairs, completely without warning.

I’ve been pretty inconsistent with my gym workouts lately. I went on Wednesday evening after work, and my first exercise was deadlifts. After a few warm up sets and then a set of 3×140kg, my back felt a little niggly. I should’ve listened to it, but instead I decided to try a new max of 150kg. Twang! Muscle spasm in my right lower back…

I drove home immediately (with some difficulty), had a hot shower, and got into bed. After about two hours, I tried to get up, but it was so painful that I couldn’t even roll onto my side, let alone get out of bed! Eventually, after numerous attempts, I made it out of bed, screaming in pain. I took some Voltaren anti-inflammatories which seemed to help.

It was markedly better the next day, and better again today. Yesterday I saw a doctor and today I went to a physiotherapist. The physio seemed very good, and tried to explain everything in detail. I’ll be going again a few times. To prevent this injury from bothering me again in the future I want to learn some appropriate stretches and strengthening exercises for the core muscles which support the lower spine. Hopefully I’ll be ok to do exercise again within a few weeks!

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