Back Injuries

Treating Back Injuries

Studies highlight that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives, with a number of these going on to suffer recurrent pain and functional limitations due to their injury. Back pain can affect people of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly. Back pain is the third most common reason for visits to the doctor’s behind skin disorders and osteoarthritis/joint disorders.

As exercise physiologist we are trained to properly assess and treat subacute and chronic spinal pain utilising techniques such as:

Postural assessment and correction
Mobilisation and massage
Stretches
Core stabilisation exercises
Strengthening exercise prescription to help reduce causes and symptoms.

Our aim at Momentum Exercise Physiology is to educate you on your injury, perform the necessary “hands-on” techniques to speed up your recovery and prescribe the effective gym and home bases exercise program for both the short- and long-term management of your injury.

Spinal pain can originate from a number of different structures. These include:

Facet Joint
The facet joints allow your back and neck to bend forward and backward, but they are also a common cause of spine-related pain. The facet joints located in your lumbar spine (low back) are most susceptible to facet joint syndrome, as the lumbar spine bears the most weight and endures the greatest amount of strain. However, facet joints located in your cervical (neck) and thoracic (midback) spine may also cause chronic pain.

Discs
These are the spines cushioning system and consist of a cartilage outer rim, with a gel-like substance in the middle. Through sudden or repetitive trauma this gel can start pushing through the outer wall of the disc (bulge) or even rupture the outer wall (prolapse).
A bulging disc injury is a common spine injury sustained to your spine’s intervertebral disc. It can occur in your lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (upper and mid-back) or your cervical spine (neck).
A bulging disc commonly describes a slipped disc or a protruding disc. However, when the disc bulge is significant enough for the disc nucleus to come out of the annulus, it is known as a herniated disc.

Nerves
Nerves are our communication pathways and branch off our spinal cord to exit at every level of our spine. If the nerve becomes impeded while escaping the spine, e.g. disc bulge or bony spur, it can become inflamed and pain can be felt anywhere down the distribution of that nerve. The term “sciatica” is a diagnosis given to pain that is felt anywhere down the distribution of the sciatic nerve.

Muscles
Muscles of the spine provide the spine with the strength and stability to aid in correct posture through dynamic movements. Weak or tight muscles of the spine can lead to postural abnormalities, which in effect can increase load and pressure to areas of the spine. This can lead to certain muscles over activating (spasm or tighten) as a protective mechanism in response to injury or prolonged poor posture.

Treating Back Injuries

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