After Three Back Surgeries, I Thought Lifting Weights Would Destroy My Back
For a long time, I believed lifting weights was dangerous for someone with my back.
Honestly...
I was afraid.
After three back surgeries and multiple spinal injuries, I worried that one wrong lift would undo everything.
So I stayed cautious.
The problem was...
Avoiding strength training didn't make me stronger.
It made me weaker.
And weaker muscles weren't helping support my body.
Once I started working with a Physical Therapist who understood my desire to not only recover from my back injuries, but gain new strength, I realized strength training wasn't about lifting the heaviest weight possible.
It was about gradually building capacity.
Learning good movement patterns.
Respecting pain without fearing movement.
Today...
I still have previous surgeries.
I still have structural changes.
I still modify certain exercises.
But I also squat.
Deadlift.
Press.
Carry.
Train consistently.
Strength training has become one of the ways I help support my body, not something I fear.
**Important disclaimer**
Strength training isn't appropriate in every situation, and everyone's injuries are different.
If you're dealing with back pain, it's important to work with the appropriate healthcare professional to determine if strength training is right for you.
But having a history of back pain doesn't automatically mean you'll never lift weights again.
For me, strength wasn't the thing that damaged my back.
It became part of helping me trust my body again.
If this resonates with you, follow along on Instagram at @alera_functional_health where I share more root-cause health and inflammation support strategies.
You can also get a copy of my Root Cause Roadmap: 7 Hidden Reasons Your Back Pain Keeps Flaring Up (Even When You’re Doing Everything “Right”) on my homepage.
If you’d like a personalized plan that fits your life and helps you feel your best, I’m here to help. Interested in learning more about how you can optimize your health and finally find relief from your symptoms? Schedule a free Discovery Call with me by clicking here.
About The Author
Erin Briley is a Certified Functional Nutrition Coach who helps individuals understand their bodies and pursue sustainable, root-cause healing. She guides clients in making sense of their symptoms and identifying the deeper factors influencing their health. Her own recovery from chronic pain through functional nutrition strengthened her belief in the power of personalized lifestyle changes. As a mom of three in competitive travel sports, she focuses on simple, realistic habits that help people boost energy, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and feel confident in their ability to thrive.
