NWMR: Back pain after working out

[mustardseed2007]

So I'm on day 3 now of working with my personal trainer and I'm experiencing a lower back ache that is not going away.

Basically after the 2nd session I woke up in the middle of the night with back pain and it hurt to the point I had problems going back to sleep, but when I got up and walked around for a while throughout my day it went away.

After this 3rd session I started feeling the ache during the session and it's not going away. My PT said that part of the point of the exercises I'm doing are to increase the strength in my back but if it becomes a sharp pain to let her know.

It's not really like that, but it's an ache that is continuing and quite uncomfortable. I don't want to wimp out but also don't want to injure myself b/c back problems suck. I'm just not sure how to tell if this is good pain or bad pain? For those of you who work out, how do you know?

[allthedrinks]

First question is how spaced out are your training sessions? I never work out the same muscle group without a few days rest if I'm really pushing it during the workout. So training back muscles on Saturday would mean I wouldn't do it again until probably Tuesday. Anything closer together than that seems rough unless you are super fit.

Second question is how much do you like/trust your trainer? I've broken up with more than one because I wasn't comfortable with them either personality wise or with what they were having me do. I push really hard when I'm at the gym but I can pull back and tell if what I'm doing seems dangerous. No interest in blowing out a major joint or ripping a tendon, tyvm.

That said, aching pain is better than stabbing pain and you are likely going to experience some if you are doing new things. I'd be concerned about pain that wakes me up though. That seems a bit extreme.

[k3am]

Pain from a workout shouldn't be intense. The phrase "no pain no gain" is a misnomer. Pain = bad. Sore = OK. But telling the difference between the two is something only you can do.

I'm not a doctor, so I feel like I'm not qualified to give you any advice.. But personally, if getting up and moving is helping relieve it, I wouldn't worry too much. If it doesn't get better in the next few days, definitely scale back. Also, maybe scale off the back exercises for a day or two? I try not to work the same muscle group without giving at least a day or two in between for recovery.

[mustardseed2007]

On my actual PT....I've never had one before so I am unsure if she's doing a great job or not. I like her as a person and she seems knowledgeable, she obviously lives for the gym and she herself has great form. On the trust side...She's 23. And in my head I'm 23 (I'm not) and she's like 13 (she's not)so there are definitely moments where I wonder if she knows what she's doing but I've been trying to not underrate her unfairly. She herself is super fit and has great form.

We do some kind of squat every time we work out, which is MWF, and Russian Twists. I think these two things are what is giving me the pain.

She did also say that if I'm still having back pain by Friday, we'll know it's the workout. But again, it comes and goes and she's not too concerned about an ache.

I'm probably overthinking this. I should probably just tell her I need something easier on my back. She said she'd change the workout if I tell her that and I'm sure she will.

ETA: And I'm the opposite of super fit. 

EATA: You know I just figured out that it fees exactly like the back pain I had when I was pregnant with my first. I had to stretch every day to not have that pain.

[allthedrinks]

Super fit 23 year olds make me ragey. Because also not 23. Or super fit.

Not helpful...

[Deleted]

I side eye the shit out of your trainer for brushing off a lower back ache. Your back muscles shouldn't get that "burn" like your thighs or arms from working out. Your core muscles, yes. But not your lower back.

Is it an ache? Does it hurt when you move a certain way?

[jlaok]

I'd give it some time and avoid any exercises using your back (or even exercises where you carry a lot of weight on your upper body). You know the difference between pain and soreness and soreness shouldn't wake you up in the middle of the night.

Can you describe the type and location of the pain? I'm not a medical person but I do have a back injury so I know a little about it.

[Deleted]

Sciatic or hips are my guess also, specifically if stretches helped with similar pain in pregnancy.

A good trainer can help you address this as well.

Good luck.

[mustardseed2007]

jlaok it's in my lower back, left side, and it feels like a knot or a crick in my back that just aches. It makes me want to get a massage and have someone work it out.

ETA: Thanks guys!