Left-side lower back pain - JP Fitness Forums

judoka · 10-23-2007, 01:47 PM

Any help in isolating & diagnosing this would be great! I've been lurking for a few weeks...this is my first post here.

1. When did the pain begin?

About 6 weeks ago.

2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time?

I think it came on gradually, but corresponded with the beginning of doing squats.

3. Where, anatomically, is the pain?

Left side only. Lumbar spine (mid to lower back). Can't find a good diagram to give specific location, but could take picture and point out the area.

4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting?

Dull...doesn't move around or radiate.

5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions?

It's fairly constant...feels very "tight" and a bit sore most of the time.

6. What motions make your pain worse?

Squats. Deadlifts (to a lesser extent).

The pain is mostly present after the squat (when I rack the bar and come out from under it), rather than during.

7. What, if anything, makes your pain better?

Have tried some stretching, but haven't been able to hit that area.

8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?

No.

9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury?

None.

10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences?

Serious back injury...future injury/chronic pain.

11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how?

No.

12. Is your pain getting worse over time? And if so, how much worse over what time period?

It seems to have plateaued at its current level.

Additional info: I also participate in Judo (for about 2 years), so it's possible that this could be an injury from that.

I'm not sure I've done a good job describing my pain, but will certainly expound if anyone wants more details.

Thanks a million!

UConnJulie · 10-23-2007, 02:01 PM

I would like a picture with you pointing (or a photoshopped arrow) to the painful area.
Also a more detailed description of your workouts (frequency, specific lifts, set/rep/rest) including what you do for warm up and what you do for "stretching".
Also, have you had any medical treatment for this? (MD, DO, PT, DC)

judoka · 10-24-2007, 08:34 AM

I'll get a photo this evening and post it.

Right now I'm doing the NROL break-in workouts for a couple weeks. Generally 4 days/wk (M,T,Th,F) alternating between A and B.

A:
Warmup: bodyweight squats, 2x10
Squats (2x15)
Superset: Static Lunge (2x15), Dumbell row (2x15)
Superset: Pushup (2x15), Swiss ball crunch (2x20)

B:
Warmup: RDL (just bar), 2x10
Deadlift (2x15)
Superset: Step-up (2x15), Dumbell one-arm shoulder press (2x15)
Superset: Close-grip lat pulldown (2x15), reverse crunch (2x20)

60 second rest between each set.

Stretching: side-lying trunk twist to try and loosen up the painful area. Stretches we all learned in high school to loosen up tight areas after workouts. I know I should be doing more for flexibility/mobility...I have Magnificent Mobility but haven't implemented it. Dumb.

Judo workouts are Tuesday & Thursday evenings for 90 minutes. Practice throwing and ground technique. Saturday mornings about 60 minutes of tournament-style matches...3 to 4 minute intervals.