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