Is it safe to lift weights with back pain?

Lifting weights is a great way to build muscle and lose weight. One of the body parts that is most used in weightlifting is your back. Working out with back pain is highly discouraged as it can make it worse. In what follows, we will explain how weightlifting with back pain can be dangerous for you and what precautionary measures you should take to avoid it from happening.

Avoid lifting weights with back pain

• The reason for this is simple: When you lift weights, your spine has to work harder than normal to support your body weight. This can put extra stress on your lower back and lead to pain or injury. 
• Lifting excessive weights makes it harder to maintain a good form and thus chances of body tilt and back flexion become higher. Exercises like deadlifts and clean-and-jerk make your lumbar spine prone to injuries.
• Even if you do it right, weightlifting has the propensity to deteriorate your spine over the years. This condition is called the degenerative spine. This is the reason most heavy lifters suffer back injuries at some pain later in their careers. Herniated discs and lower back strains are very common medical problems found in heavy weightlifters.

Safety measures to follow when lifting weights

Use proper form

While this may seem obvious, many people don’t use proper form when lifting weights with back pain. They use improper forms and end up having more problems than they would have otherwise had. When lifting weights with back pain, make sure that you are using the proper form by following the guidelines provided by your doctor or personal trainer. If you don’t know how to do this, ask them for help!

Stop bending forward

Many people like to bend over at the waist when they lift weights with back pain because it seems easier than standing up straight. However, this can lead to serious injuries since bending forward puts extra strain on your spine and puts pressure on the discs in your back which can cause damage over time if not treated properly. So instead of bending over, always bend your knees and try to take as much stress as possible on your thigh muscles.

Lift what you are comfortable with.

Always start small and slowly add weight to your exercise. With light weights, it is easier to learn the right form and maintain it. Do not lift more than two to three times per week at first. This will allow your muscles to heal and regain strength before increasing intensity levels again.

Warm-up before lifting

Always warm up properly before each workout session, including stretching exercises and a light cardio routine beforehand. Having a nice warm-up can reduce the chances of injury by 80% and also keep your body healthy post-workout.

When to See a Doctor?

If the back pain doesn’t leave your body within 2-3 weeks after you have stopped lifting weights, there might be an issue that needs to be addressed. It could be an injury to your vertebrae or tissue damage in the back. If you happen to be in Los Angeles, you can see Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe who has expertise in treating patients with spine diseases. You can visit her clinic Southern California Brain & Spine Surgery after scheduling an appointment. Visit their website to get the contact form or call them at 213-369-4583.