Back pain from squats

**hawk14dl** · 06-06-2016, 07:47 PM

Im not sure if its a form issue or not, but everytime i squat, i get terrible pain from my spinal area (lumbar). I wouldnt call it debilitating, but it definitey prevents me from doing certain other workouts for about a week.

I dont think its a weak back, deadlifts dont bother me at all.

Ive tried high bar, low bar.. narrow stance wide stance. Nothing seems to help. Front squats dont seem to be a problem, but im limited on how much weight i can hold up front.

Any ideas or suggestions?

**Charlie67** · 06-06-2016, 07:56 PM

Maybe you have a small injury that you just keep hurting over and over again? You could try taking a couple weeks off of squatting and replacing it with something else... Leg press, sled machine, etc.

Go back to the squat after you've had a few weeks with no pain. Go super-light and find the weight that begins hurt your back again... If you do, then have somebody watch you squat and figure out where the kinks are.

**kelkel** · 06-06-2016, 08:05 PM

See a competent chiropractor!

**hawk14dl** · 06-06-2016, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie67

Maybe you have a small injury that you just keep hurting over and over again? You could try taking a couple weeks off of squatting and replacing it with something else... Leg press, sled machine, etc.

Go back to the squat after you've had a few weeks with no pain. Go super-light and find the weight that begins hurt your back again... If you do, then have somebody watch you squat and figure out where the kinks are.

Ive taken off from squats for a month or longer at a time, pain returns. Sometimes even as low as 135lbs. (Which is embarrasing).

**hawk14dl** · 06-06-2016, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

See a competent chiropractor!

Ive always been leery of them.. but hearing it from you makes me feel like it may be worth a try.

**kelkel** · 06-07-2016, 07:29 AM

Hawk if you find the right one they can be amazing. Just like there are normal doc's who are great and some just plain shitty. I go to one who does limbs as well and it's absolutely incredible how they can locate whats causing the problem, which they prove to you, then work toward correcting it. I highly recommend it. I try and go once a month or so just to stay tuned up.

**ironhardempress** · 06-07-2016, 07:40 AM

could it be a mobility issue? Can you do Overhead squats relatively easily? Many people who get pain and tightness in their lower back while squatting suffer from mobility issues.

**hawk14dl** · 06-07-2016, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by ironhardempress

could it be a mobility issue? Can you do Overhead squats relatively easily? Many people who get pain and tightness in their lower back while squatting suffer from mobility issues.

I do have some hip mobility issues. Very very slight though.

Never tried overhead squats.

Im going to start looking for references on chiropractors. Theyre a dime a dozen here, so itll be hard finding a good one

**The Deadlifting Dog** · 06-07-2016, 08:17 AM

If I has to guess....
You are probably not keeping your core tight and getting butt wink at the bottom of the squat.
The reason front squats don't hurt is that they force you to keep your core tight.

How deep do you squat?
Do you break parallel?
How heavy?
Do you use a belt?

**Mr.BB** · 06-07-2016, 09:17 AM

^^^^ This. Also bet on butt wink due to tight/short hamstrings.

**hawk14dl** · 06-07-2016, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by The Deadlifting Dog

If I has to guess....
You are probably not keeping your core tight and getting butt wink at the bottom of the squat.
The reason front squats don't hurt is that they force you to keep your core tight.

How deep do you squat?
Do you break parallel?
How heavy?
Do you use a belt?

Below parallel, but not a2g
When this all started, i would get pain around 275lbs. So then i never loaded more then 225, then started getting pain there. Same with 185 now.
Ive used a belt and gone beltless. No difference as far as i could tell