Thread: Injury NEED INPUT!!!

Heres the deal, about two years ago i was lifting very heavy getting ready for my show. I was powercleaning and squatting heavy every week in seperate work outs. Through the course of that training cycle i injured my lower back, for the last two years my back and neck have gotten progressivly worse. I'm 21 years old and im in chronic pain regardless of how i train or how much time is taken off. Ive given up on squats, rows, anything that involves my lower back, because it too painful. I have become almost dependant on training on narcotic pain pills as it is the only way i can achieve a good workout. (I know this is bad). I dont want to do that anymore, and i need help. Has anyone experienced anything like this. My doctor referred me to physical therapy and still no help. I fear that my bodybuilding ( which means so much to me) is in serious jepordy!

Here's my .02, even though it may not be what you are going to want to hear. From the description of your situation it sounds like to need to stop training and start working on fixing the problem. Right now you are only aggravating whatever injury you may have and probably making it worse, and if it is something in your spine you are risking minor things like paralysis. Don't think that pushing through the pain is going to help because pain is your body's way of telling you to stop doing something. You are also on the path to getting addicted to narcotics.

My advice: see a good rehabilitative therapist, start stretching or yoga like has already been recommended, and take it easy on your body for a while.

You have to understand that what you do to your body now at the age of 21 will lay the foundation for when you are 31, 41 and 51. Fix your body, let it heal (and it will if you do things right) and then you can start working on building again when your body can function properly.