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Insight Horizon Media

What injuries can you get from Deadlifting?

Author

Emma Martin

Published Mar 20, 2026

What injuries can you get from Deadlifting?

Despite the fact that the deadlift exercise seems to cause the majority of powerlifting injuries,6 8 there is only a limited amount of research reporting the occurrence of specific injuries. However, four deadlift-related studies described fractures, muscle ruptures, various low back injuries and meniscus tear.

What do I do if I hurt my back Deadlifting?

While there are measures we can take to relieve pain associated with the deadlift, such as applying ice for 15–20 minutes every couple hours for the first three days, followed by 15–20 minutes of a moist hot pack beginning on the fourth day, this will do nothing if you do not take time off from physical activity.

What part of your back hurts after deadlifts?

Stiffness or soreness in your lower back muscles may occur from training hip hinge patterns (think deadlifts, kettlebell swings, Romanian Deadlifts, etc.). This can seem like a normal response to exercise, as the muscles are responding to overload and adapting to get grow stronger.

Should I do deadlifts if my back hurts?

Essentially, if your back pain allows you to, and your low back muscles are strong enough to support you during the movement, you not only CAN deadlift with back pain, but you SHOULD deadlift with back pain!

Can deadlift cause slipped disc?

What causes a herniated disc? Weightlifters commonly damage the discs in their spine simply by straining their backs. Lifting with your back muscles more than your leg muscles are a very common way to injure the back. Deadlifting is the most common exercise that leads to herniated discs.

How long does strained back take to heal?

Back muscle strains typically heal with time, many within a few days, and most within 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients with mild or moderate lumbar strains make a full recovery and are free of symptoms within days, weeks, or possibly months.

Can deadlifts cause herniated disc?

What are the symptoms of a pulled back muscle?

Symptoms of pulled muscle in lower back

  • your back hurting more when you move, less when you stay still.
  • pain in your back radiating down into your buttocks but not typically extending into your legs.
  • muscle cramps or spasms in your back.
  • trouble walking or bending.
  • difficulty standing up straight.

Are deadlifts bad for sciatica?

While deadlifts aren’t one of the most common causes of piriformis syndrome, if you perform deadlifts regularly, your entire gluteal area can become tight. This tightness can include the piriformis and lead to pressure on the sciatic nerve, ultimately causing piriformis pain with a deadlift.

Can I lift weights with herniated disc?

Is it safe to lift weights with a herniated disc? The short answer is yes. Exercise is not only recommended – it’s required to help retrain the muscles in your back. After local back pain is controlled and minimized, you should focus on reloading your spine with light activity in order to relearn how to move properly.

How do you know if a back injury is serious?

Any of the following symptoms could indicate a severe back injury….You should see a doctor right away if you have:

  1. difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
  2. problems with urinating or passing stool (poo)
  3. numbness or pins and needles to the arms, legs, hands or feet.
  4. fever.
  5. paralysis.
  6. blood in the urine.