| Back muscles get strained, disks degenerate, and | | | | Treatment of these lesions is not always easy. |
| nerves are pinched. That's what happens when you | | | | Experts say that relative rest can be effective but |
| have back pain, a common complaint among athletes. | | | | sometimes bracing is indicated and proper |
| Causes range from a strain, muscle overuse or a | | | | rehabilitation is needed. Most sports injuries can be |
| more ominous condition such as a herniated disc. | | | | avoided with the proper stretching and strengthening |
| "What has emerged in much greater numbers | | | | routine. |
| recently is pain in the low back of our younger | | | | The majority of low back pain in athletes can be |
| athletes in high school and college, especially in sports | | | | treated with conservative means. Treatments will |
| like baseball, tennis and gymnastics," said Dr. Brian | | | | vary depending on the cause of pain. Back strains |
| Halpern, a sports medicine specialist at the Hospital | | | | may simply require a short period of limited activity, |
| for Special Surgery in New York City. "These | | | | medication, and ice applications. When symptoms |
| activities generate tremendous rotational forces | | | | ease, athletes are usually able to resume their |
| around areas in the lumbar spine, often resulting in | | | | activities gradually, applying concepts of proper |
| overload of these structures." | | | | conditioning and warm ups. |
| Diagnosing this condition is difficult and often needs | | | | Athletes are not the only ones who are susceptible |
| more precise imaging than X-rays to identify the | | | | to back injury. Data show that 80 percent of the |
| problem. Thanks to bone scans and magnetic | | | | population can experience significant back pain at |
| resonance imaging (MRI), stress fractures of the | | | | some point in their lives. Your mother was right when |
| spine can now be identified. In addition, MRI can also | | | | she told you to watch your posture because that |
| distinguish a herniated disc from a stress fracture, | | | | can fend off strain and pain. Play it safe to avoid |
| thereby using one study to rule out all possibilities. | | | | further back injury. |