There are many muscles and ligaments surrounding the spinal vertebrae that connect the vertebrae of the spine and contribute to core strength. These muscles and ligaments can be vulnerable to injury and cause pain and muscle spasms. While these episodes typically resolve quickly, they can make life quite miserable in the short term where just about every movement is painful. At Sports Health Northwest, we are happy to provide you with a diagnosis as to the etiology of your pain and help empower you achieve relief from back or neck pain.
Sprains and strains of the spine
It is estimated that 80% of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lives. These episodes are usually self-limited and get better in several days to several months.
Risk factors for back pain in adults include smoking, being overweight, sedentary work, and physically strenuous work. In children and teens, risk factors include vigorous physical activity, increased time watching television, and a family history of back pain. Moderate physical activity though has been found to be protective against back pain.
Although there are many risk factors for and even causes of low back pain, many individuals adults and teens with low back pain have non-specific low back pain where an underlying condition is hard to reliably identify.
There are many muscles and ligaments surrounding the spinal vertebrae that connect the vertebrae of the spine and contribute to core strength. These muscles and ligaments can be vulnerable to injury and cause pain and muscle spasms. While these episodes typically resolve quickly, they can make life quite miserable in the short term where just about every movement is painful.
The history and physical exam should be performed by a physician trained in spinal evaluation, like a sports medicine doctor, evaluating carefully for a musculoskeletal or neurologic etiology while also considering certain warning signs and symptoms of potentially serious causes of back pain
There are many effective treatments for relieving acute back pain like heat, massage therapy, exercises, physical therapy, spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and medications.
There are many muscles and ligaments surrounding the spinal vertebrae that connect the vertebrae of the spine and contribute to core strength. These muscles and ligaments can be vulnerable to injury, cause localized pain, and muscle spasms. While these episodes typically resolve quickly, they can make life quite miserable in the short term where just about every movement is painful.
At Sports Health Northwest, we want to help active individuals with acute sprain and strain type spinal injuries return to full activity. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a back sprain or strain that started with exercise or are keeping you from being active, we are happy to see you and work with you to help you achieve your goals of getting active again.
