this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2025
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.

I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.

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[–] reksas@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 day ago

you are not supposed to have any pain at all

[–] illi@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I started experiencing this after 30. In my case it's back muscles tightening up, because of bad posture that lead to the weakening of the core muscles which put too much strain on the back.

Got shown some excercises and got better after a while. Got back every once in a while, but usually I managed to get it under control.

Just got back again and wouldn't get away for weeks now. Sounds a lot like what you have. I'm going ti schedule the doctor again, I recommend you do the same. This shouldn't be normal.

[–] spy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

Can you name the exercises you were shown, or link to a video or article explaining them?

I don't know if this could be a case of "what's good for me might be bad for you" but bad posture must be pretty common in today's world.

Did your back pain get as bad as OP's?

[–] illi@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I would if I could. A plank and a side plank were one of them. Other than that, no idea as I was shown the excercises, but was never really given names. And even then, I don't live in English speaking country so might not be useful anyway.

It was mostly about strenghtening the core and stomach muscles, without straining the back much.

Not sure about pain levels. First time around, it was quite bad. I just suddenly couldn't move, everything hurt so bad. Not quite blacking out pain but it was bad. I first did like one or two weeks of intensive back muscle stretching to be even able to do the other excercises. Currently the pain is not bad, but it is making my life dificult a bit as it blocks some movements.

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[–] Ziggurat@jlai.lu 3 points 1 day ago

Some form of exercise are better for your back than others.

Pain isn't normal, and 30 is quite young so talk with a doctor, get a couple of physiotherapy session, and find a sport helping your back (and a whole strategy)

I'm almost 40, tall, not in great shape, have bad posture, and have two misaligned disks in my lower back and even my back pain isn't that bad, so I would say that no it's not normal. You should definitely get that checked out.

[–] garbagebagel@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I had really bad back pain when I switched to an office job, which kept going for like 4 years. I finally went to the physio and after a few trial and errors she discovered the issue was in my core strength. I was exercising and generally active, but because I wasn't engaging my core properly that was just leading to more back pain.

She taught me how to engage my core properly and a few really simple exercises for strengthening, and my low back pain is almost entirely gone now.

Go to the doctor or a physiotherapist. If it's not a medical condition then it's most likely just related to your lifestyle and can be improved with some changes.

Editing to add I'm also in my 30s.

Separate note: On my 30th birthday actually I did have a separate issue with my side where the pain came on suddenly. I did go to the doctor for that one and was told essentially "you're just old", but he wasn't totally wrong on that one because it was literally that I had gotten drunk and fallen asleep on a very broken uncomfortable couch that had fucked my side right up. What you're describing doesn't sound like one of these dumb 'old people' injuries though.

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[–] bluGill@fedia.io 2 points 1 day ago

If you need that spine surgery get it. I wish I had mine sooner. Most people don't need surgery as physical theorpy fixes it. However when a few weeks wasn't showing any improvement they sent me for a mri and that found something that surgery was needed before it parralized me. (Not cancer but still a growth)

hopefully you have the same pains as everyone else but only a doctor can figure out the rare exceptions.

[–] 9point6@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

How tall are you? If the answer is yes, then it's common

Go to your doctor, take the meds they give you and do the exercises and you'll feel better. Then focus on building back strength so that it doesn't happen again.

This is one of the scenarios where oats and squats actually do help

[–] auraithx@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Do you have any hypermobility? Even in your fingers?

[–] klemptor@startrek.website 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] auraithx@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I think hEDS is just when mutations in the TNXB gene are extreme enough to warrant a diagnosis, yes.

The 20% of the pop who is hypermobile have milder mutations, but can suffer all the same from the downsides of hypermobility, and benefit from targeted interventions.

[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

In addition to spine and muscle issues, there can be other things going on like an enlarged prostate or other swelling that pinches nerves which hurt in the lower back area instead of where the cause is located. Less common than sitting too much, but is another possibility beyond spine or back muscle issues.

I was surprised to find out that could feel like a kidney stone!

wtf no,not normal i m way over 30, and never had such symptoms

go see a doctor , not normal

[–] andrewta@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Your normal doctor will not have a good answer for you. You need to see a spinal specialist. Or a specialist for your back. No an x-ray will not show you what’s wrong. You will need something better like a MRI. Better to go and know then not go and regret it.

[–] starlinguk@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I ended up at the doctor with severe back pain at 22. It was so bad I had to call a friend to help me get dressed. Had physiotherapy for quite some time. It'll come back to haunt me at some point because I have mild scoliosis.

I've had bad episodes of back pain off and on since I was 11. I'm now 59. I have seen my doctor on many occasions and I'm just told to try to get more exercise. I guess I just put up with it, then

[–] susi7802@sopuli.xyz 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)
[–] antlion@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 1 day ago

Yoga was the start of my wife’s back problems. Too much flexibility and not enough strength.

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[–] diffusive@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

Start weightlifting, more specifically deadlifts. I would discourage you to go to CrossFit and anything that involves mixing cardio with strength.

Also, use as little machines as possible. 99% of the work is with dumbbells, barbells and a rack

/me that had back pain in his late 20-mid 30… and then started weightlifting and had never had a back pain 🙂

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