Thread: DL's and back pain?

Properly executed deadlifts are preventative of back problems. I'm 45 and I do 'em at least once a week (I do Romanian deads, with just under 1.5 X bodyweight) - and I have a lower spine deformity. I'm sure my back would be a lot worse by now if I didn't do deads - I started back therapy when I was 15 years old.

That being said, if your form is off, deads will destroy your back.

built you got scoli? I have some mild scoliosis in my lower back. Seems to be non congenial so the doc says. I do much better with regular chiro and yoga.

Unless in the midst of some kind of espisode or shortly after an acute incident, I have virtually all my clients deadlift on a regular basis.

One of my first clients, who I've had over 2 years now, came to me with recurring episodes of spasms in his lower back. He used to go through an episode once every couple of months. Since I started training him, he had maybe one bad episode a few weeks into the training, and one very mild episode since then. I'm talking very mild here, as in he was still able to function, compared to the others where he didn't goto work and could barely move from pain.

Now, granted, I'm not contributing his improvements in orthopedic health entirely to deadlifts. He is a good client and he tries to listen to my advice outside of the gym too, and he trains 3 times per week. Nonetheless, he is 55 years old and can deadlift about 1.5x his bodyweight. I have him doing moderately heavy DLs (Maybe as low as 4-5 rep sets) often enough, and it's done nothing but improve his situation.

One thing to note for a guy like this, is he doesn't recover like someone half his age. I do have to unload his spine every 3-5 weeks to make sure we don't overdo it.

I had to stop deadlifting because of inflamation in my lower back. My mom and borther both of degenerative disc syndrome, and I have always had lower back problems. I think for most people deadlifting is fine, but they are a few of us that simply can't do them.

I guess it all depends on the person.

I've written them out of my workouts because they scare me. I started lifting again because I was the guy Cow was talking about. Not the actual guy... but I was tired of the bouts with back pain. I've done VERY well without them but, I'M BRINGING THEM BACK BABY!!!!!

I've had bouts of back pain from improper lifting at work. Since adding deads years ago I've had no more back pain. I figure two things have happened: the positive effects of strength gains and the use of proper form has become habit even in real life situations outside the gym.

Merkaba - not so much scoli as a grade 1, L5-S1 anterolysthesis brought about by spondylolysis on L5. Tiny bit of scoliosis, and I can tell you it doesn't make things BETTER! Still, I'm careful and have moved a few things around so I can continue to train. For example, I've given up heavy rack pulls (although I'll give 'em a go again with an Inzer one of these days) and I now stand to do all work I used to do seated (Arnies for example). Oh, and I've switched to front squats - less weight on my spine for more quad stimulation with less torque - WAY better, for me at least.

Regarding aging and deadlifts: my 60-year-old buddy started lifting a few years ago (saw me doing it and got hooked). He's doing deads and his back no longer bothers him.

i'll echo this and go one further. my low back pain in from undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, an inflammatory condition. had it 20 years. i finally 1 year ago got sick of feeling sorry for myself and began working out. 6 months into lifting (only about 4 into a split routine w/ DL on my leg day) i must say i am nearly pain free. as i build my core more and more, my whole body and mind feel better. its not just the deads that i love, its my whole lifestyle now...and i owe it all to weight training

Thanks for all the input, everyone

Originally Posted by Built

I now stand to do all work I used to do seated (Arnies for example).

So, generally speaking, seated work has more of a negative impact on the spinal column than standing? Or would this be more specific to your condition?

Sitting while pressing weight does put a lot of pressure on the lower spine, but the bigger deal about standing is that in stabilizing, more core is involved, so it actually strengthens it.