Functional Training Coach.com

I recently received a question on my YouTube channel asking my thoughts on squatting and deadlifting with lower back pain and kyphotic posture.

This person mentioned their physiotherapist had advised against all squatting saying that the pressure of the bar would promote kyphosis and that deadlifting was out because it would increase lordosis of the lumbar spine.

This reminded me of my own experience with lower back pain.

About 10 years ago I was working for a physical therapy clinic and at the time I was dealing with a nagging bout of lower back pain.

After trying several unsuccessful ways to get rid of the pain I asked the head therapist if he could have a look at me.

This therapist LOVED using the ol’ pull-the-leg-technique for patients with low back pain.

If you’re unfamiliar with this it’s when one leg appears shorter than the other due to rotation of the pelvis and the therapist basically uses a quick, sharp pull at the lower leg on the short side to ‘lengthen the leg’ so it’s even with the other.

I remember this therapist was once working on a patient in a private room and all was quiet in the clinic until a giant scream was heard.

Turns out he was using this technique but the patient had no idea what was coming and it completely freaked her out.

So, after looking me over he determined my left leg was shorter than my right and he did his favorite technique and pulled my leg quickly and VOILA!

Both legs were even length again.

I have to admit it felt funny walking since I had become accustomed to being uneven.

Then he laid the news on me…

…’Don’t do any squatting for 2 weeks’.

‘What! You mean I can’t squat down at all?‘ I asked.

‘That’s right‘ he replied.

Now, I can take some time off from squatting or deadlifting in the gym but in every day life this was asking a lot.

If you think of everything you do that involves squatting like sitting down in a chair, getting in and out of bed, getting in and out of a car, picking up things around the house or the yard, sports activities…

…Hell, how can you take a dump without squatting?

Squatting is a fundamental movement required to exist in our world and without it a whole host of problems would occur.

Think of what your life would be like if you couldn’t squat?

Imagine how you would lift objects around the house or the yard.

And, consider that most squatting movements we perform are loaded from the front so this includes deadlifting and front squatting.

In the video below I addressed a few questions regarding whether or not squats, deadlifts and posterior chain exercises are bad for your lower back.

I also share some key insights on the BIGGEST MISTAKES most people make when performing posterior chain exercises and how those mistakes can make a back injury worse and the most important thing to consider when performing exercises for the posterior chain.

I discuss how hamstring stretches can compound low back pain, when they’re appropriate and for whom.

And, finally I reveal whether or not it’s safe to lift weights with lower back pain.

This video is a bit lengthy but it’s loaded with useful information that I hope will help others who are dealing with similar issues.

So, you might need to grab your favorite beverage and sit back for this one but I’m sure you’ll gain LOTS of new insights.

By the way, if you like this video go ahead and hit the share buttons below.

And, feel free to drop a comment below if you have any feedback.

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