Back cracking during deadlifts

[DirtyJohnson]

Well it seems I injured my back again last night. I worked up to 465x4 then went down to 365 to try for 10. When I got to 5 or 6 and my back cracked like 6-8 times. It sounded like someone cracked my back or was getting adjusted. I stopped and it got really tight and some pain. The pain is just to the right of the spine just above the pelvic bone or right on it. This is the first time I heard these cracking noises doing DL. Not sure what went wrong other then maybe getting sloppy and not keeping upper body up and turning them into sldl or something.

Some history, I injured it back in May doing 465 and it hurt so bad I couldn't squat or DL 135 at all or even put my shoes on in the morning. It was really painful right in the spine like a disc was putting pressure on it. I took 800mg ibuprofen x3/day and the pain slowly went away. If it never got any better I would have went to the Dr. I took about 6 wk off and only did some leg press which seemed to not hurt.

I am really pissed at this point because I was just working my way back up to previous squat and dl numbers and this happens.

Anyone have any thoughts on DL and back problems?
Should I just not do them anymore even when I feel better? I have noticed some routines don't even use them. I have even read they are not a good exercise along with sldl, of course that is web talk.
could this be from hip's being tight or other imbalance?

And yes I have really good insurance and have an appt tomorrow with a chiropractor/ART specialist that I used last year for my delts. After seeing him I will see if I should have a x-ray and mri done.

[DirtyJohnson]

No one has any thoughts?

It does feel better today and I can put my shoes on this time so must not be as severe as last time.

[odiE]

What did the chiro say/do?

[Gittyup]

Well by the sounds of it partially maybe have been your spine, and scaroiliac joints making that sound. Ice, always after, to be honest even if you dont "feel" pain, I and for sure tell you no matter what heavy squats/deads will overload those joints, and thus cause some sub-acute inflammation almost every time.

In addition, if I understand the spot you are explaining, sounds like you could have partially injured or irritated the iliolumbar ligament.

I would suggest have someone watch your form, if there is someone who knows what they are doing you maybe rounding your back slightly, even slightly and you maybe not notice this.

Lastly while I believe in the heavy basic lifts, if they are going to injure you frequently either lighten them significantly or dont do them or do a variation. Personally dont go under 5 reps. unless you are planning a program for powerlifting that you need to do some heavy singles.

I only suggest the not under 5 reps as knowing you have a history of issues.

Your chiro sounds skilled so they will have good advice for you too I hope.

TK.

[DirtyJohnson]

Thanks odie for asking and gittyup for your response.

I had to look up those joints and ligaments. But yes, that is what I was thinking the first time it happened as I did lots of research on back pain. My chiro did say it is SI joint pain caused by tight hips. I was shocked how tight they were when he was doing some ART on the muscles. I have to start doing stretches a couple times a day to get them to loosen up. As for the cracking he said mostly likely there was some pressure from the tightness and was getting released (or something like that).

Good thing is that it is not the spine and disc but I still have pain no matter what so hopefully it will go away with some stretching. I will start to record my lifts to check form as well and see where I am at.

[mister69]

Heal up .

Try some kwan long oil and contrast showers .

Those help me a ton.

[DirtyJohnson]

I do have kwan long oil and some other oil for my elbows. I will give it a shot as well. As I am typing I am icing it. That was another thing my chiro said was to ice after every workout.

[mister69]

Ice is good .

Ime not to long though just till numb .

When I initially hurt my back last year i realyed on ice too much.

Pt said hot showers and heat

[DirtyJohnson]

I usually use heat more than cold. Just trying to see if the cold reduces the inflammation and reduce the pain. In a little bit I will try the kwan long oil and see how it feels.

[TLopez]

D.J. - Where do you train?

[DirtyJohnson]

Depends, home right now. I have a power rack and been sticking to all the compounds. If I do go to the gym LA Fit off Navajo

[Gittyup]

Ice is good .

Ime not to long though just till numb .

When I initially hurt my back last year i realyed on ice too much.

Pt said hot showers and heat

So you want to use heat on inflammation? You realize that make no sense at all right?
Thats why I love people that come to the office taking pain relievers/anti inflammatories and are using HEAT... not brilliant!