Lower Back Pain – Part 1 (2 Min Read)
Lower back pain is a widespread issue, as almost everyone has experienced it at some point. It can be one of the most debilitating forms of pain, particularly if you engage in strength training. Activities like squatting, deadlifting, and various other movements become challenging.
In this article, I will focus on one of the most common types of lower back pain – muscular pain.
Lower Back Strain:
Have you ever lifted something incorrectly and felt your back give out? You may wonder why it happens, and your immediate response is to avoid lifting that object ever again. However, it’s crucial to understand that muscles don’t just seize up for no reason. There is a build-up, a process that the muscle undergoes before reaching that point of strain.
Loading:
Mechanical load is applied to our bodies in various activities such as sitting, standing, running, squatting, etc. It refers to the physiological pressure exerted on different parts of the body. Understanding where this load is distributed at any given time is a key factor in understanding your back pain.
As mentioned before, our sedentary lifestyles often result in certain muscles becoming inactive. By understanding where you experience mechanical loading, you can determine the cause of your muscular pain.
For example, let’s consider deadlifting. Pay close attention to where you feel tension. When you begin lifting the bar, muscles contract, and the nervous system engages to generate enough force to move the weight. If you feel tension in your lower or middle back, there is likely significant mechanical load on these areas. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but excessive load over time can lead to muscle tissue restriction and fatigue, increasing the risk of pain or strain in that area.
How to resolve it?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as everyone compensates differently. However, the general process to address this issue looks like this:
- Understand mechanical loading: Identify where the load is distributed.
- Determine deficient and overworked muscles: Find out which muscles are lacking strength and which ones are overcompensating.
- Utilize specific exercises and soft tissue techniques to correct the problem.
The easiest way to address this is by consulting a professional. A reputable physical therapist or exercise physiologist can provide valuable assistance. However, if you prefer to tackle the issue on your own, seeking advice from a professional is always helpful and will significantly expedite your recovery.
Remember, muscle strains are not the end of the world and are relatively easy to fix. However, it requires your understanding of what occurs during a specific movement. The more you practice and learn, the better you will become at managing and preventing future issues.
Thank you for reading our blog post, we hope the information was helpful.
Please comment below or get in touch if you have any questions.
Disclaimer: If you are currently experiencing severe/chronic pain, then you should be consulting an allied health professional (physiotherapist/osteopath etc.)
