Spine injuries occur often in sports and athletic situations because of the increased forces and stresses put on the spine. Athletes are often in awkward positions when these forces occur, increasing the risk of significant injury.
Causes
- Compression Forces – these are forces which push or squeeze the vertebrae together. Tackling head first or landing on the head are examples of situations that lead to this type of injury.
- Rotational Stress – the main two things that limit rotation of the spine are the facet joints and the discs. Repetitive rotational stresses can cause damage to both of these structures, as well as the ligaments surrounding the vertebrae themselves. These injuries can occur in any athletic situation, especially in golf, baseball, basketball or soccer.
- Pelvic Asymmetry – this typically comes from a fall or other trauma to the hips. The structures of the pelvis become misaligned, which can lead to spine involvement as well if not treated. This condition is common in many sports, especially contact sports.
- Forward Bending – this motion is the most common cause of any back or neck injury. This motion predisposes the discs to posterior stress, which significantly increases the chance of bulges and herniations. Add this stress to movements and activities which include large forces and loading, and it creates a bad recipe for injury. These are common in any athletic activity, including weightlifting and contact sports.
Treatment
Treatment will vary depending on the mechanism of injury and the specific signs and symptoms. Treatments should always focus on the mechanical cause of the pain and injury, instead of the pain itself.
Be wary...
Medication can cover up the existing mechanical cause of your condition, and rehabilitation that doesn’t include specific and extensive exercising, plus instruction on how to manage pain when not in the clinic won’t solve problems of pain.