Why your Disc Injury Flairs Up Every Time you Squat!

If you’ve had a disc injury and every time you try to squat or deadlift your back tightens up or flares—here’s how to rebuild it safely.

Working with lifters, this is one of the most common goals: getting back to squats and deadlifts without pain. Most people either: Avoid squats completely OR Try again too soon, even if they’ve had treatment.  Adjustments alone won’t prepare you to squat again—you need progression.

Step 1: Calm symptoms first (this is where chiropractic helps). If you’re flared up: Reduce irritation Improve mobility Get pain under control This is where treatment can make a big difference early on.

Step 2: Rebuild movement quality. Once pain is down, you need to: Groove your squat / deadlift pattern Improve control Address compensations Good chiropractic care should include guidance here—not just passive treatment.

Step 3: Use spine-friendly variations. Start with: Goblet squats Box squats Split squats, etc… These allow you to build strength while keeping stress manageable.

Step 4: Layer load gradually. This is where most people mess up. You should only increase weight if: Pain stays controlled You recover well Movement stays clean

Step 5: Combine treatment + training. The best results happen when: Treatment keeps symptoms in check Training rebuilds capacity Not one or the other—both. You’re not done squatting / deadlifting. You just need a smarter progression—and the right support. If you want help combining chiropractic care with a structured return-to-lifting plan, that’s exactly what I do in my 12 week program. Check out our office for more details.