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Got Back Pain? Here’s Exactly How We Help People Deadlift Again — Without Fear

Last week, we talked about the fear so many people in Charleston carry around after a back injury or disc herniation. It’s a story that reflects what we hear from patients every single week.


This week, we’re getting specific.


If you’ve ever Googled “physical therapy for back pain near me” or felt like squatting and deadlifting might be permanently off the table for you, this is for you.


We’re walking through the exact approach we use at Made 2 Move, Charleston’s go-to clinic for active people dealing with pain and injuries.


First: Let’s Redefine the Deadlift


A deadlift is just picking something up off the floor.It’s not just a barbell in a gym.It’s kids, groceries, dog food bags, laundry baskets, and everything in between.


If you’ve had back pain, especially from a disc injury, that movement can start to feel dangerous. But the goal of physical therapy in Charleston isn’t to avoid this movement forever—it’s to get you back to it safely and confidently.


At our Charleston physical therapy clinic, we meet people every week who have stopped doing what they love out of fear—fear of hurting their back, of making something worse, or of being in pain forever.


Step 1: Create Positive Movement Experiences


When you’ve been in pain, your nervous system becomes more sensitive. That’s why our first priority at Made 2 Move is rebuilding trust through safe, positive reps.


We’re not testing your max lift in the first session.


Instead, we ask:


  • How does this movement feel right now?

  • How does your body feel tomorrow?


The goal? Stack wins. Build confidence. Restore your body’s sense of safety with movement.


Step 2: Understand Tolerance vs Capacity

 

Here’s the key concept that drives our approach to physical therapy for back pain in Charleston:


Tolerance is how much your nervous system can handle without flaring up.


Capacity is how strong and resilient your tissues are.


If we only focus on tolerance, we don’t get strong enough to build long-term resilience.

If we only focus on capacity, we risk doing too much, too soon.


The sweet spot is doing both: calming things down and building things up.


Step 3: Find Your Starting Point


There’s no “one-size-fits-all” with back rehab. We meet you where you’re at and tailor every movement to your current tolerance.


Early Stage Movements (great for high sensitivity):

  • Cat-Cows

  • Modified Jefferson Curls

  • Seated or Wall Hip Hinges


Next Step Movements (as you tolerate more):

  • Kettlebell Deadlifts

  • Standing Jefferson Curls

  • Pallof Presses

  • Sorenson Holds

  • Dumbbell RDLs


Later Stage Progressions (returning to full strength):

  • Trap Bar Deadlifts

  • Traditional Deadlifts or RDLs

  • Weighted Back Extensions


These movements gradually increase your back’s tolerance and capacity so you can move more freely, with less fear.


This Isn’t a Quick Fix


If you’ve had back pain for months—or years—this won’t be a two-week transformation. Healing takes time, and that’s okay.


Because what you gain is worth it:


✅ Confidence in your body

✅ Strength and resilience

✅ The ability to move freely and live without fear


And when flare-ups do happen (because let’s be honest, life happens), you’ll know exactly how to handle them.


You Don’t Have to Do This Alone


We help people with back pain get back to lifting every single day.


If you’re in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, or just searching for the best physical therapy near me, we’d love to help.


At Made 2 Move, we don’t just treat injuries—we help people thrive.


🗣️ Want to see what our patients are saying? Check out our success stories here or book a free consult and let’s talk about how to get you back to doing what you love—without fear.

We specialize in helping active adults, athletes, and fitness lovers return to the things they love — stronger than ever.



➡️ Book your free discovery call today.




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