26/03/2025
I recently tweaked my back doing a few-too-many reps of a movement I haven't done in the gym in a while. (Yes...physios get injured too. No...it wasn't a 'bad' exercise, and it'll be back on my routine soon.)
But in the couple of days that I was modifying how I demonstrated exercises in the practice in order to support my recovery, I happened to mention to a patient that I was still going to gym...and they were shocked!
🤯Why was I exercising injured?!
🤯If I have a back injury, surely I should never lift weights again?!!
And it reminded me that society still carries many incorrect ideas about our backs!
What happened in my back was more of a mild strain...kinda like the calf-pain you get when you overdo a hill run or calf-raises. My back was still structurally sound, I had good core control, and there were still MANY types of exercise I could do while supporting my healing.
AND, as I reached later stages of healing, loading my back with weighted exercises helped it to heal well, and allowing me to get back to my usual training routine.
Here's the bottom line:
🧘♀️When injured, we may need to adapt training
🚴♂️There is always SOMETHNG you can do safely
🏋️Backs respond to progressive-overload like any other part of the body...THEY GET STRONGER!
So next time you have a niggle...ask your physio for guidance around safe exercise, and for a plan to get you back to the activity you love.
🤍Carmen