Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 1/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi,
7 days ago my back was feeling really stiff, when i did chin-ups it started to hurt. I did do foam rolling on the back muscle, but when i do standing bicep curls, the stiffness and pain goes away. On the first 4 days i had it, ALL of my bones and joints started cracking. the cracking has stopped apart from the elbows, which seam to be getting better. i'v rested my entire body and i have been eating well for the past 7 days, and on some days the back pain comes and goes.

what might i be doing wrong when i am lifting weights, or is this to do with my nutrition. And are there any excercices i can do while resting my body, without making it worse.

thanks for the help
Regards Jeff

ANSWER: If your symptoms onset after you lifted weights, you may be experiencing the normal soreness and stiffness associated with the activity.

A massage therapist may be of help to you in relaxing hypertonic (or "tight") muscles, and a chiropractor might be of help if your problem has led to joint dysfunction as well.

If you are new to this activity, you might need to work with a personal trainer for specific advise on the proper form and post-exercise relaxation to reduce the risk of re-injruy and enhance your performance.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i now the pain i get that lasts 2 days after a workout, but this has lasted a week. I'v been lifting for a year now and have never had this. And i do foam rolling, to relax my back muscles. could it be join dysfunction?

Answer
Jeff,

Unfortunately, I can't diagnose muscle from joint dysfunction over the Internet; I can only provide general information. Based on the information you've provided, I would tend to consider a muscle problem over a joint problem at this point, so I would recommend seeing a massage therapist for starters. You can always consult with a muscluloskeletal-based chiropractor for additional evaluation.