Sports-related back Injuries affect athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to seasoned professionals. No matter who you are, a back injury can sideline you, causing pain and frustration. Fortunately, physical therapy at Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy offers effective solutions to help you recover and get back to your sport.
While our physical therapists will address your acute discomfort, we also emphasize strengthening your back and correcting muscular imbalances that might have contributed to your injury. This will help you avoid additional sports-related back injuries in the long term.
Are you an athlete or active individual who’s been dealing with back pain recently? Maybe you know you injured yourself, or maybe you’re not certain what’s causing the pain. Either way, our experienced physical therapists can help. We’ll determine the underlying factors contributing to your injury and create a personalized program to treat them directly–helping you heal faster and return to your activities stronger.
Keep reading to learn more about our process!
Understanding Sports-Related Back Injuries
When you visit us at our Rancho Palos Verdes clinic, we’ll first perform a comprehensive assessment to help us understand your injury. We’ll take a health history, review details about the injury, discuss your daily activities, and perform a few simple movement screens.
All this information gives a complete picture not only of your injury but of the factors that might have contributed to it. Often, sports injuries develop due to overuse, which strains certain muscles and weakens others. Muscular imbalances, faulty biomechanics, and poor posture can all create an environment in which you’re more likely to suffer a back injury, such as one of the following:
Muscle Strains
- Muscle strains occur when the muscles in the back are overstretched or torn. They typically happen during activities that involve lifting, twisting, or sudden movements. Symptoms include sharp pain, muscle spasms, and limited flexibility. Overuse or improper technique can increase your risk of muscle strains.
Herniated Discs
- A herniated disc occurs when the inner jelly substance of one of the discs in your spine ruptures or slips out of place. If it presses on nearby nerves, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the back and legs. Improper lifting techniques and playing high-impact sports both increase your risk.
Stress Fractures
- Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bones of the spine, usually caused by repetitive force or overuse. They are common in sports that involve a lot of bending and twisting, like baseball or female gymnastics. Symptoms include pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Proper conditioning and technique can help prevent these fractures.
What To Expect During Your Physical Therapy Sessions
We take a comprehensive and personalized approach to treating sports-related back injuries. Your customized treatment program will incorporate a variety of techniques designed to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent future injuries. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:
Manual Therapy
- These hands-on techniques help mobilize the spine and soft tissues, easing muscle tension and improving joint movement. Specific techniques include spinal mobilizations and soft tissue manipulation.
Therapeutic Exercise
- The foundation of your treatment will consist of specific exercises that target the muscles supporting your spine. Core strength is especially important when addressing back issues, but we’ll evaluate your particular needs and tailor your program accordingly.
Biomechanical Corrections
- Often, sports injuries occur in part due to issues with posture or biomechanics. We can assess both and provide suggestions that will ensure you protect your back during training and competition. As a bonus, you may also see improvements in your overall performance!
Don’t Let a Sports-Related Back Injury Keep You On the Sidelines
No athlete wants to suffer an injury, but they do happen. However, physical therapy at Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy can help you maximize your recovery and provide you with the tools you need to prevent future injuries from occurring.
Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment at our Rancho Palos Verdes clinic today!
