Now I know why trainers stress technique so much...

with squats and dead lifts, or heck any weighted exercise, it's always best to use lighter weights with proper form. heavy weights won't do you any good if your form sucks.

 

Yeah, i think most are lifting too heavy. Your back can sub in and do a lot of work, so you think you're getting better/stronger, so you increase the pounds, but then you reach a point where your back quits because it's way over it's head.

 

I agree...I have a disc bulge so I have to be really careful with deadlifts and squats. I experience the symptoms of piriformis syndrome and its so fking annoying but with mobility, it has gotten a lot of better. Plus, a strong core will help the back.

 

You and me both...I've had a herniated L5 for the past 6 years and just recently was able to start walking normally w/o dragging my affected leg. I still have the pinched sciatic nerve along with the pain down my left leg but it's much better now. I can't squat or dead lift like most guys can, but I do what is in my range and what is comfortable without overdoing it. You don't realize how much you use your back every day until something bad happens to it. Don't take it for granted.

 

if i screw up my back on a deadlift tonight i'm going to kick your ass OP.

 

I had bad form when I was using my shake weight, trashed my wrist for a month.

 

Maybe you could try really light weight power cleans and sweeps? Also, front squats?

It might help you to develop all the muscles involved with those particular movements in those areas of your body, instead of repeatedly putting all the stress on one muscle. Granted, these lifts are probably the most difficult to do correctly...

 

this x10. everyone trying squats/DL without a trainer/experience needs to learn that they are hip movements NOT back workouts.

most people cannot get into a proper full squat. thus back takes the weight.
when squating you should feel your glutes/hamstring take most of the strain/weight. if you feel it in your quads this means the weight is on your knees and back. both extremely hard to get over major injuries.

 

work on doing full squats correctly before seriously trying any type of clean.
front squats are great for keeping the upper body vertical and core tight however many people can struggle with front rack position and balance when going down because they weight will pull you forward.

 

Just had a similar injury doing squats 2 weeks ago. Lost focus for a second on the way up, and tweaked something in my lower back. Everything is pretty much back to normal now, but man, for the first week I thought I really f---ed something up bad... could barely get out of bed, felt pain down my left leg, etc. Been doing a lot of lower back exercises/stretches recently and they seem to have helped a lot.

This had never happened before so I'm gonna get back on squats/deadlifts next rotation...