Deadlifts cause too much pain for me...

[BABYBULL]

Why the hell am I the only one who pops ribs while deadlifting? I've mentioned this topic on here before , but I think I'm gonna have to stop doing them for good.

I have a very long torso and that makes me round my back more....and everytime I go over 405.....I pop ribs out. Anyone else ever have this problem? It doesnt hurt when it happens, but the next time I deadlift, it hurts like hell...then I have to go to the chiropractor and get them...usually more than one....popped back in......once a week!

I'm a fairly strong guy.....bench 430 raw.....squat 600, deadlift 550.....and I want to continue to be a powerlifter, but this is killing me. I've only been lifting for 2 years, but I know when its not worth it to do an exercise....and this seems to be true for deadlifts. I might have to go to more bodybuilding style....yet still heavy....just no deadlifts.

What do you guys think? Anyone ever heard of this or had it happen to them? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[JJ]

I actually pop a rib out on occasion, but the culprit's usually dips, not DLs. I popped one out this weekend - first time in about three months, and couldn't get in to my ART guy until Wednesday. He asked me to rest (i.e., not lift - he knows me well) for 36 hours to let it set. This morning was my first lift, and I DL'ed and cleaned with no issues, but was feeling the rib a little bit with front squats.

What stance do you use? A sumo stance may help shorten the distance from the floor, which may reduce your back-rounding issues.

[BABYBULL]

I've thought about that.....i do the normal narrow stance...toes pointed outward. The sumo style might help....I'll have to try that. The guy who taught me to powerlift disliked the sumo style...so he never even suggested it.

I need to do somethin though....cause the rib issue affects my back workout, chest, and squats really bad. So...hopefully I'll figure it out. I didnt deadlift for like 3 months to try to set them back in place....but the day I deaded again....pop! So who knows....any other suggestions?

[JJ]

You should use a DL stance that best fits your body; I agree that learning how to DL is probably best done with the narrower stance, but once you get the basics down, you should modify teh stance to best fit your body. With your long torso, sumo stance should be more comfortable than the narrow stance. It may take a little getting use to though.

[Daveyboy]

Sumo style is the only way I can do deads without waking up with a stiff back the next day. I can drive the weight up with my legs & hips much better that way. The conventional way I tend to bend over & use my back more. Sumo is definitely the better technique for me. I'm 6'2 btw.

[KRONK]

Have you thought of doing racked deads?