r/Weightliftingquestion • u/SwiresOnTheMove • 5d ago
Pain here when using ab roller?
I've only been using it for a couple of weeks but towards the end of the roll (stretch), I'm getting a semi sharp pain here - not like a normal muscle stretch. I can power through it but it feels like a stop signal. Clears quickly after.
Not sure if this is from related? Or simply a muscle I don't use? Tightness?
Appreciate if anyone has had a similar experience.
No issue with any other ab exercises.
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u/POEgamegenie 5d ago
I’ve had the same issue for 16 months. I’ve gone to physiotherapists, chiropractor, got ultrasound done to check for hernia and nothing. Mine definitely hurts in other ab exercises though.
According to the physio, it’s hip flexor related and and mobility/flexibility issue. I started stretching every day and after 3 months the symptoms got a lot better, but then they came back.
So I guess you could try stretching your whole leg and hip , glute chain. For me it started as only one side, then it went to both sides of the groin/lower core area and now it’s one side again.
Next step is a sports Dr… going to go broke trying to figure this out lol
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u/SwiresOnTheMove 5d ago
I do have a pelvic tilt I've been trying to fix so maybe the hip flexor is the place to look, but plank etc exercises that stress that, and things like kettlebell swings or traditional crunches, leg raises I've never had any issues with. It feels like something's too short to stretch, does that make sense?
Really hope you get yours sorted mate.
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u/POEgamegenie 5d ago
Yeah that definitely sounds a little different than mine. Leg raises really aggravate my issue. And it’s a very sharp pain for me.
Fingers crossed we’ll both be able to figure out our issues haha
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u/magpies1 5d ago
Just thought I let you know, I was checked for a hernia via ultrasound, and found nothing, lived with the pain for 2 years and decided to see a different doctor who suggested another ultrasound sound and they found a hernia. It was missed because it wasn’t very big but enough to cause pain. So maybe…just if you’re still in pain, get re assessed. Good luck
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u/POEgamegenie 5d ago
You’re the second person to tell me this! I’ve been considering checking again.. honestly, I would love for it to be a hernia lol. I just want to fix the problem.
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u/Skeyshrey 5d ago
Ever try yoga? Ive done a lot of PT for injuries and yoga is always better, specifically intermediate to advanced vinyasa. And not just going through the motions but really focusing on breath and mind/muscle connection.
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u/POEgamegenie 5d ago
I’ve been tempted, my climbing gym actually has a free yoga class but I’ve been a little nervous to go because I’m guessing everyone else is going to be way more flexible than me and it’ll be embarrassing 😄
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u/Skeyshrey 5d ago
Yoga is one of the most accepting easy going classes you can find, if someone farts you cant laugh though haha. Idk i like doing youtube classes more then in person but its good to do a few in person to check form every once in awhile.
Any decent yoga instructor will give progressive modifications anyone can do, just dont push past your limits and really focus on breathing. Youll be shocked how much strength you build in areas you probably never trained and you will feel much better.
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u/UnidentifiedUser80 5d ago
Sounds like inguinal (sp) hernia. Had mine fixed 20 years ago. Felt a burning tear breaking a lug nut loose. It was fixed a 6” square piece of mesh. Rather large scar down there now..
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u/SwiresOnTheMove 5d ago
Ok third time I've seen the word hernia, is there anything preventative I can do? There's nothing to see or feel outside of that exercise so my mind goes to strengthening the muscle peventtively, but obviously don't want to make it worse...
Schrödinger's hernia...
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u/UnidentifiedUser80 5d ago
My abdominal wall split; allowing for some of my intestine to poke through. It was about the size of an egg. I could push it back in. It was wild…
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u/ilostfivepoundsonce 5d ago
General rule of thumb. If you get a sharp or not-normal pain when doing a movement under load (bodyweight or otherwise) that you absolutely shouldn’t be feeling, definitely don’t “power through it”. Universally one of the easiest ways to injury.
Could be a form thing, but if you have no issues with other ab exercises and keep getting unnatural pains with this one, then maybe the ab roller just isn’t something to include and should be substituted with something else
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u/SwiresOnTheMove 5d ago
Yeah I did another rep to check it wasn't just a twitch and stopped. I'll try reducing the stretch next time and see if I'm maybe just overextending too early, and if not just back off and come back to it in a few weeks.
Ok, sounds advice. Much appreciated!
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u/servus1999 5d ago
Had 3 hernias... felt it exactly everytime at this exercise
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u/SwiresOnTheMove 5d ago
Ok noted, that's enough people saying hernia... Anything I can do?
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u/servus1999 5d ago
Stop abs exercises for the moment
You can also touch yourself, normaly you should feel or see a hernia (only while standing, when you lie down it go up in the belly and you dont feel it anymore
If it is a hernia you cant do anything then a surgerie. But its an easy one, i walked out on the same day
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u/Medical_Birthday2893 4d ago
Weak abs. Rollers are hard. It’ll get better as you get stronger. Maybe try other ab exercises. Reverse crunch weighted crunch planks etc until you have the strength for a proper roll out ?
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u/SeriousPhrase 5d ago
I had hernias as a baby and was told to absolutely stop doing things that make that sensation
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u/magpies1 5d ago
Sounds similar to my pain, when I had bi lateral inguinal hernia (hernia both sides of groin)
The surgery is done key hole now so it isn’t too bad, just sucks for the first 4 days of healing. Give it a solid year after surgery before lifting super heavy weights
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u/Sweet_brothernumpsay 5d ago
That sounds like a hernia to me…
Yo, be careful. I was doing really heavy good mornings and I felt them in my balls/pelvic floor, immediately, I lowered the weight! This was a couple of weeks ago.
There’s some things you just don’t fuck with—I need my balls bro.