Back soreness/knotting when lifting - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

Haulin200 · 01-19-2005, 09:42 AM

OK, I just started to get back to hittin the weights, OK....
So its not weights, It my Bowflex.

Actually I have both that and free weights, and I alternate.

But the problem is this. When using any type of excersise using my upper back( shoulders neck and upper back area) , like cable pulls, rowing, overhead press, etc....

I feel like there is a giant "knot" back there. Its really stiff, and feels like I am not as flexible as I should be on my upper back. I also get fatigued very quickly no matter what weight, and it tends to spasm after a few excersises, forcing me to quit working that part.

No other part of my body reacts the same, or has these problems when working out.

Any recomendations? I am starting a static stretching program, in hopes that it will help it out... If you have any explenations to why, or how to fix it, please let me know.
Thanks

ChappyBoy · 01-19-2005, 09:54 AM

Knotting in the upper back is very common. One major cause is the anatomy of the musculature itself the upper back has the latsimus dorsi that give that nice V shape when people think about the back. The Lats wrap around the body in an arc shape. Underlying the lats is a muscle group called ethe rhomboids - these run straight up and down the back - many times the rhomboids knot up. Tension, stress, exercise cause this area to be "pulled" in different directions. Message works great to lossen this up

Fatigue is normal in the beginner - go slow and keep trying for small gains - you will overcome this part of muscle fatigue

lift · 01-19-2005, 12:29 PM

Some other reasons may be that you are dehydrated and perhaps have an electrolyte imbalance and/or micronutrient deficiency. Drink more water and up your electrolyte intake. I sometimes get a stiff upper and or lower back from squats and deadlifts and I happened accross some products from a company called Phi-ten that helped loosen me up and alleviate pain I found them at www.strengthandperformance.com check it out it might help...good luck

ChappyBoy · 01-19-2005, 12:32 PM

With this only occuring during back workouts I would tend to leliminate dehydration as the cause. But always a good to keep water intake high.

Haulin200 · 01-19-2005, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the insight. Chappyboy, I thank you for telling me about those back muscles, after a bit of research on those muscles you stated, I learned a few things I didnt know. I think that you may be correct, about the rhomboids knotting up, caus it is the general area where I feel the most tension. I will try some stretching, as well as try and strenghthen that area in particular.
Any recomendations on a good excersise for targeting that part?

As far as water intake, lol...
I am a big water drinker, well over 100 ounces a day.