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Health Care – Low Back Attack

Posted on | September 13, 2009 | No Comments

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Low – back pain has reached epidemic proportions. It has becomes increasingly prevalent among both elite athletes and fitness buffs. An attack of low – back pain can eliminate the athlete from competition as well as training. Therefore, any back pain that interferes with training activities should be considered significant and warrants further professional consultation.

Fortunately, most back pain conditions affecting athletes have been found to respond favorably to aggressive conservative treatment, provided this treatment is instituted early enough.

back-pain

Treatment includes:

1) chiro – practic adjustive procedures designed to help restore function and mobility to those specifically affected spinal areas

2) adjunctive modalities in the form of ice and / or moist heat applications when indicated

3) specifically designed rehabilitative exercise programs designed to maintain and improve abdominal strength as well as strength and flexibility in those muscle groups responsible for hip flexion and lower – back extension.

However, before initiating any specific treatment program, a proper diagnosis must first be established. Luckily, the vast majority of athletes who suffer from an attack of back pain are in relatively good physical shape to begin with, and their condition will most likely fall into one of the following four categories: 1) pain from disc injury (discogenic pain); 2) pain resulting from a compression fracture of a vertebra; 3) spondylolytic back pain (involving disintegration of vertebrae); and 4) pain resulting from mechanical origins.Discogenic pain is the result of an injury to one or more or the pads of cartilage known as discs, which are between the vertebrae and funtion as shock absorbers for the spinal column. Excessive compression and / or a sudden shearing rotational force are the most common means of disc injury. Excessive forward lean when performing squats, hyperextending to the extreme when standing upright after a deadlift and any over – head pressing movements are classic examples of exercises that, if performed incorrectly, can result in severe compression of the spine and lead to possible disc injury.

Excessive spinal rotation can occur as a result of performing seemingly innocuous exercises like the popular seated or standing twist, which so many body builders mistakenly believe will trim the waistline. The lumbar spine (lower back) is not designed for the performance of constant repetitive rotational movements. Other sports that involve short bursts of extreme rotational movement and that may contribute to disc injuries if improper form is employed include golf, tennis, racquetball and baseball.

“One of the most frequent causes of back pain in athletes is mechanical stress resulting from a sprain of a ligament or strain of a muscle responsible for moving or stabilizing the spine.”

Vertebral Fractures.
Afflict gymnasts, divers and dancers.

Vertebral fractures, while uncommon, occur more among athletes who compete in those sports that involve frequent repetitive motions such as flexion and extension. This type of injury is thought to be related to repeated microtrauma resulting from the constant flexion and extension of the spine as seen in the routines of gym – nasts, competitives divers and dancers.

Over time, this continuous forceful flexion and extension of the spine can result in a wear – and – tear injury occurring to the top or bottom surfaces of the vertebra; it results in the vertebra taking on a wedge shape. Athletes whose sports require such movements will generally notice pain when flexing the spine forward or extending back – ward as well as rotating to either the extreme right or left. Injuries of this nature are quickly diagnosed through routine X – rays.

Spondylolytic back pain is a condition that also occurs among participant of sports requiring forceful repetitive flexion and extension of the lumbar spine. This condition is characterized by abnormalities that affect the posterior region of the vertebrae, and are visible on X – rays. One vertebra may actually slip forward upon another. Athletes competing in sports like foot – ball, rugby and wrestling, as well as powerlifters and other strength athletes, often find their spines subject to tremendous overload. Over time, these athletes may be subject to stress fractures in the posterior elements of the lower lumbar vertebrae.

“At the first sign of pain, cease training and reach for the ice bag.”

The athlete with an injury of this nature will experience pain upon extension or hyperextension of the lower back. This condition is also easily diagnosed by routine X – rays of the lower back.

One of the most frequent causes of back pain among athletes is the category known as mechanical. Pain of mechanical origin is generally the result of a sprain situation affecting the supporting ligaments of the spine, or a strain injury occurring in one or more of the muscles that govern spinal movement.

Ligament sprains most commonly occur when an extreme stress forces a joint beyond its range of motion. Muscle strain injuries most often occur through repetitive overwork or a sudden overload that the supporting muscles can’t handle. Athletes suffering from sprain / strain syndromes will most often experience aching associated with prolonged activity.

Fortunately, if treated early and aggressively through conservative means, none of these types of injuries has to be a serious problem. Pain is the body’s warning signal that something is wrong. Therefore, at the first sign of back pain, cease training and reach for the ice bag. If the pain becomes incapacitating or is still present 24 hours later, seek professional help. Remember, aggressive conservative treatment, if started early enough, can help you resume training that much sooner.

Category: Back Pain
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