lower back stiffness

[CoopDawg]

You guys ever wake up with horrible lower back stiffness? any early morning stretches or exercises to improve this, pushing and pulling heavy pallets all day it seems my back is so stiff at 5:20 when getting up to go to work! Makes me nervous to even deadlift cause it feels as if it isnt gonna stretch out any and just going to destroy my lower back

[Off Road]

My back is always stiff and in knots every morning. Litterally takes 1/2 hour before I can stand up straight. Just something I live with after my back injury.

[BendtheBar]

Sometimes that can come from standing itself, rather than the physical exertion. Most likely for a guy your age it's from a combination of both.

Reason #1 to finish college.

Never deadlift more than your back can handle on a given day.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by CoopDawg

You guys ever wake up with horrible lower back stiffness? any early morning stretches or exercises to improve this, pushing and pulling heavy pallets all day it seems my back is so stiff at 5:20 when getting up to go to work! Makes me nervous to even deadlift cause it feels as if it isnt gonna stretch out any and just going to destroy my lower back

Doing stretches and back strengthening in general will work. Stretching is better in the evening because the body is warmer after being used all day, so you'll get a much better stretch then than you would if you tried to stretch first thing in the morning; I know this from personal experience with yoga, which was always much harder in the morning and a whole lot easier in the evening.

You may not think that stretching in the evening will improve issues in the morning but give it a few days/weeks and see what happens, though, you'll have to be very consistent with what you're doing; it would be pointless to do one day and then not do anything for 4 days and expect the back to respond...some people find sticking to stretching difficult or stop when they notice improvements.

[Fazc]

Firstly as Btb say's a good reason to finish college.

I'd definitely try and still do something in the gym, and most importantly make sure you're eating enough. I often think some of these minor aches and sprains when people start out are caused by just a lack of muscle in those areas. Muscle has a very good way of covering weaker areas and acting as insulation almost, to injuries. One of the reasons why as you get more experienced you typically get less day-to-day aches and sprains. This is balanced well by catastrophic injuries and the undeniable march of old age so I guess it's not all that good!

[MC]

The other thing to consider is the overall tightness of your posterior chain. If you are not regularly (2-3 times a week) stretching your hamstrings and calves, they will pull on your lower back and cause stiffness, tightness and pain.

[CoopDawg]

Thanks for all the replies guys/gals. And also guys did finish college. Have my electricians degree theres just more money where i am at the moment.. Ill be on later to give a proper reply to you all.. At work at the moment

[CoopDawg]

Originally Posted by *MC*

The other thing to consider is the overall tightness of your posterior chain. If you are not regularly (2-3 times a week) stretching your hamstrings and calves, they will pull on your lower back and cause stiffness, tightness and pain.

This is actually how it feels like a v in my lower back because its pulling, when i try and stretch it when its this tight i feel pain and a tearing feeling

[Shorts]

Coming off a lower back injury I do these 3 streches every night:

1.) Arms stretching above your head, feet shoulder width. Then bend at the hips towards your left and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat with the right.

2.) Arms behind your back and hold your hands together. Pull down and back with your shoulders (best way to explain is to act like youre trying to pull your shoulders to the ground). hold for 10 seconds

3.) Hands on the wall, arms extended, feet shoulder width apart. Push your hips forward as far as you can while keeping your hands and feet planted. Should feel this heavily in your lower back. Hold for 10 seconds.