In this series of articles, I will give myself 30min to write about a topic – a rough draft to published. It will be rough and straight to the point. Let’s see how a few of these go and if I have any friends left after this period of time.

Last time I discussed the Big 3 and how some tend to think they are doing the McGill method just because they are adding core stabilization to their programming, which can be a really good thing, but this is only one component of many. Further, it may not be for you at a given time.

I’m speaking about my own experience and interpretation of the texts of Low Back Disorders, UBFP, GOI, and Back Mechanic: I am only speaking for myself as a personal trainer and coach, and someone who has had to learn a great deal about managing my own back. This is not intended to be in any way a how-to guide, or medical information.

This time I’m going to discuss another detail: Each back injury has a unique cause and must be treated as much. Many powerlifters have compressive force injuries often paired with either flexion and or extension intolerance.

In my experience over the last 8 years, here is what I have found:

Simply adding in the McGill big 3 exercises could help but could also really flare up a lifter if not properly executed and applied; this is determined by the art of coaching; the information in Back Mechanic and Gift of Injury are clear: it’s up to you to study, experiment, and apply.

Everyone will respond differently with variables that range from pure luck, genetics to proper training and rest cycles, as well as building a custom program that brings up your deficits but strengthens your weaknesses and REMOVES the cause of injury/pain.

You can do all of the core work you wish, but it isn’t likely to get you back to where you want to be if you have many ‘lifting years’ under your belt!

Remove the cause.

You might even need to take some time off from lifting! But you can’t do that right?

Get educated. More soon.