Most mild injuries can’t cause the types of back injury you would experience in a car accident, such as fracture of a vertebra, but they can cause soft tissue injuries and disc herniation. Either of these injuries can be chronic and quite painful. In extreme circumstances, these injuries may require surgery to repair them.

For this reason, eliminating or reducing the risk of these common activities will help you to protect your back and avoid the painful consequences.

Carrying Groceries

Everyone carries groceries into the house from the car. Depending on your grocery bagger, these sacks can weigh between 10 to 20 pounds. Of course, most people don’t carry one bag at a time; they usually grab all they can to reduce the number of trips. This can be detrimental to your back because lifting heavy weights is a primary cause of disc herniation. In addition, sprains and strains of the soft tissue can occur from lifting weight incorrectly.

To avoid this outcome from grocery bag trauma, you should always try to lift with your knees and not bend at the back. The best solution, though, is to carry fewer bags and spare your back the sudden stress of a handful of heavy groceries.

Unexpected Exercise

You should exercise every day to prevent back injuries, but it is the sad truth that many people do not. This is a risk factor itself, but most people can get by in their lives without inciting back pain. However, unexpected exercise can make you wish you had conditioned your back. Unexpected exercise can occur when playing soccer with the kids, walking a 5K for your work’s charity, or even a marathon shopping trip that has you walking the length of the mall many times.

Like carrying groceries, these every day activities can lead to muscle sprains, but disc herniations are also common from overexertion. In many cases, the problem is self-limiting and treatable with over the counter medications. In some situations, the injury is more severe and requires definitive treatment.

Extended Driving

Although driving does not require lifting or even a great deal of moving, it is still a culprit in minor back injuries. Many car seats are not designed to properly support the lower back, and this can lead to muscle strains. The positioning of your arms and hands, though, is one of the most insidious causes of neck pain.

If you reach far forward to grasp the wheel or hold your head awkwardly when you drive, you can develop neck pain from driving, especially on long trips. The wheel should be no more than 8 inches from your breastbone, and you should hold your head in a natural, neutral position to avoid straining the muscles and potentially causing a herniated cervical disc.

Computer Work

Similar to driving, computer work can cause sprain, strains, and herniations if you don’t pay proper attention to ergonomics. Many people slouch in their computer chairs, reach for keyboards that are too far away, or have their monitors too high or too low for proper spinal alignment. If you persist in poor form when sitting at your computer, it can easily lead to pain in both the neck and back.

You should take steps to improve your form, adjust your computer area, and take frequent breaks. You should also consider your form when using your smart phone. Many users hunch over their phones with their head and neck bowed. This, too, can cause back and neck pain, especially when done consistently.

Try to pull your shoulders back and hold the phone in front of you with your elbows supported. Technology is a large culprit in causing back and neck pain, and you would eliminate many risk factors by incorporating ergonomics into your workspace.

Smoking

You may think that smoking is unlikely to cause back injuries. Smoking doesn’t require heavy lifting, it isn’t a situation for proper ergonomics, and it doesn’t stress your back. Yet, the chemical processes that occur due to smoking leave your back open to injuries from even the most innocuous actions.

Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, and this means it makes the small vessels in the body contract. In addition, it serves to destroy these vessels in time. What does this have to do with the back? Small vessels are vitally important to supplying the discs with a healthy blood flow. When they cannot get the blood they need, they are more likely to herniate.

However, the problem truly arises when the muscles or disc are injured. These blood vessels are unable to bring blood to the site of the injury, and this can make a simple back injury far worse. The only solution is to find a way to quit smoking to protect your back.

BASIC Spine sees many cases of back pain from simple activities. Not all back trauma arises from car accidents or contact sports. In fact, most of our patients are simply people who might have lifted a heavy object incorrectly, spent too much time improperly sitting at a computer, or decided to become weekend warriors.

If you’ve found that the common activities in your life have led to back injury, act now and contact us at one of our convenient locations to determine the best treatment plan for your particular injury.

Many patients think that the only recourse in this situation is surgery, but that is not the case. Injections are a vital piece of the puzzle when trying to treat back pain, and the epidural type injection is the most common of these treatments.

For the layperson, the idea of an epidural injection may sound frightening. Some people know epidurals as the pain blocking medication given when a woman is in childbirth, and some have heard that paralysis is a possibility with this procedure.

Many patients are also afraid of needles and the pain they cause, and this can lead patients away from what is a viable, effective, and safe treatment. In addition, the technique and anatomy that figure into epidurals is not well understood by the general public. Since this treatment is so important in preventing surgery, it is important to understand all of the complexities of the treatment, to understand its safety precautions, and to demystify what may be a scary proposition for some patients.

Epidural Anatomy

You can get a better idea of why epidurals are effective if you understand a bit about brain and spinal anatomy. The brain and spinal cord are connected together, and they are covered by a series of membranes that protect this delicate tissue and supply it with blood. The spinal cord is the innermost structure, and it is surrounded by a nutrient rich fluid called cerebrospinal fluid.

This is encased in a membrane called the arachnoid layer, so named because of the spider web appearance of its structure. Covering this layer is the dura layer. It is a largely protective sheath that covers the brain, the spinal cord, and the cauda equina, which is the mass of nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord.

The epidural space is the small area between the dura layer and the bones of the vertebrae. It is an important space because it contains lymphatic drainage vessels, nerve roots, fatty tissue, and small arteries. However, the most important part of the epidural space is the epidural venous plexus. This is a large network of thin walled veins that supply the spinal cord, the nerve roots, and other vital structures.

By depositing medications directly into this space, the plexus can bring them directly to the structures that are protected by the dura. Injecting any closer to the spinal cord could result in harm, but the epidural space is safe and effective for the delivery of drugs to the fragile neurological structures.

Epidural Medications

Specific medications are injected into the epidural space to help mitigate back pain. In fact, two distinct types of medications are generally used in steroid epidural injections: an anesthetic and a corticosteroid. The anesthetic usually provides immediate pain relief in the area. Unlike epidural nerve blocks used mostly in pregnant women, this anesthetic does not create complete numbness below the level of the block.

Instead, it focuses on specific nerves that are causing pain, such as the sciatic nerve, through expert placement at the nerve root. Typically, the medication used for this purpose is lidocaine, a powerful pain fighting agent, although other anesthetics, such as bupivacaine, can also be used for this reason.

The other medication is the steroid, and this provides for the long term pain relief. By injecting this powerful hormone directly over the site of inflammation, it can decrease the pain and swelling in ways that the oral or even intravenous versions of the medication cannot. Methylprednisolone is the most common type of steroid used in the treatment of spinal inflammation, but betamethasone and triamcinolone are other well-known corticosteroids that help to decrease pain and swelling. Although these medications are directly injected into the epidural space, it can take up to a week to feel the pain relieving effects. This is the primary reason why the anesthetic is used. It provides immediate relief until the steroid becomes effective.

Epidural Placement

The placement of the epidural is important in relieving pain in specific areas. For example, a caudal steroid epidural injection is administered between the fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) and the fourth sacral vertebra (S4). Usually, this type of injection is given for pain that centers around the pelvis and lower back. Although it is often used for sciatica, lumbar epidural injections are primarily for that condition.

Lumbar injections are administered at any level between L1 and L4. It can help with lower back pain, pain radiating to the legs, or any other symptom of lumbar radiculopathy. Finally, cervical steroid injections are placed in the neck between the levels of C3 and thoracic vertebra one. This allows it to treat pain that exists in the neck or that radiates to the arms and fingers.

BASIC Spine fully supports the use of steroid epidural injections as an adjunct to other conservative treatments and to prevent the use of surgery. With our state of the art technology on site, we are able to perform this procedure quickly and easily in the office. If other conservative measures are not fully controlling you pain, you may benefit from an injection.

Contacting us at any of our convenient locations will help you get on the road to recovery.

Add to that the pain and suffering endured by those affected and you can see why back issues represent the number one workplace safety issue.

So, what can be done about it? It seems pretty clear that prevention is the key. Of course, we won’t be able to prevent all injuries, but we can certainly take steps to reduce the number.

Common Causes of Back Pain and Injury in the Workplace

Before tackling solutions to a problem you should know the causes. Some common causes of back pain and injury in the workplace are:

• Poor Posture – Slouching exaggerates the back’s natural curves. This can lead to muscle fatigue and injury.
• Repetition – Doing certain movements over and over can lead to muscle fatigue and injury, especially if you’re in an awkward position or stretching your range of motion to the limit.
• Stress – Job pressures can increase your stress level. This can increase muscle tension and tightness which can contribute to or worsen back pain.
• Force – Putting too much pressure on your back by lifting or moving heavy objects can cause injury.

What Can You Do To Avoid Injuring Your Back At Work?

Back injuries account for almost 20% of the injuries and illnesses that occur in the workplace. Many professions, like construction work, nursing and office work can place significant demands on your back.

But you don’t have to resign yourself to a life of pain. There are important steps you can take to prevent back pain and injury at work.

• Lift properly – Before you lift something test it. Push it with your feet or hands to test
  the weight. Position yourself close to it. Reaching will increase the strain on your back. Plant your feet shoulder width apart for a firm support base. Bend at the knees, not at the waist. Tighten your stomach muscles and keep your back straight. Use your leg muscles as you stand up and avoid twisting as you lift. Take your time, don’t rush or use jerky movements.
  

• Try to avoid standing or sitting for long periods – But if you must, change your position often. Stand and stretch at least once an hour if not more.
  

• Maintain proper posture – If you have to stand for long periods, occasionally rest one foot on a small stool or box. If you need to read something, hold it at eye level. For good posture while sitting, choose a chair that lets you rest both feet flat on the floor. Your knees should be level with your hips. If the chair doesn’t support the natural curve of your lower back place a small pillow or rolled up towel behind your lower back.
  

• Minimize repetitive tasks – Try to modify repetitive tasks in order to decrease the
  physical demands on your body. If you spend a lot of time on the phone every day, consider using a headset. If you use the computer a lot have your workspace evaluated to make sure your chair and monitor are properly positioned.
  

• Stay physically fit – Studies show there’s a correlation between poor levels of physical fitness and increased risk of disease and injury. The lower your level of fitness, the higher your risk of injury. Regular aerobic exercise like walking or swimming combined with strength training exercises that strengthen your back muscles and abdomen will help you maintain a healthy back.

It’s not only the things you do at work, but also what you do at home that can aggravate your back. Take the time to examine your whole environment and make the changes needed to ease back pain and injury. Remember, prevention is the key.

If you would like help resolving repetitive stress problems at work, please contact us to see how you can become pain free.

It can occur in any muscle, but it is most painful when they occur in the neck, middle back, or lower back region. They can take your breath away and keep you from doing your daily tasks. Medical science has come up with several ways to combat back spasms. From medication to surgery, you can find a way to ease your back spasms.

Medications

Medications are usually the first line of action for back spasms. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as over the counter drugs like Advil, can help to reduce the pain and swelling in the area. In some cases, your doctor could prescribe a stronger version of this type of medication, called Ultram, to help ease the pain of the spasms.

For spasms in particular, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants. The most common relaxant is baclofen, and it can help to soothe the muscles in spasm and decrease pain. Valium, or diazepam, is another drug that can help to relax the muscles, and this medication usually results in systemic relaxation, as well.

Other drugs for back spasms include some anti-Parkinson’s drugs, such as Cogentin. These drugs affect the dopamine in the brain and are important in sending signals to muscles. An anti- seizure drug, such as Tegretol, is helpful for some people who experience back spasms.

Injections

Injections are another form of medical intervention for back spasms. In some cases, a pain control agent, called lidocaine, can be injected directly into the muscle, joint, or membrane to ease the pain caused by the spasm. This technique can help with the agent causing the spasm, such as arthritis, and it can decrease pain by decreasing the force of that condition.

A newer approach to muscle and back spasms is injecting Botox into the muscle. Botox is actually a bacterium that is known for causing the neurological problems of botulism. When the substance is injected directly into a muscle, it helps to relax the nerves that are initiating spasm and decreases pain. Unfortunately, the effect only lasts for about 12 weeks, and this would require multiple injections for chronic pain.

Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

Although simple stretching before exertion can help with back spasms, chronic back spasms are often helped with focused physical therapy and chiropractic. A chiropractor can readjust your spine to account for problems that are causing your back spasms, such as a ruptured disc, arthritis, or spondylolisthesis. Manipulations of the back should not be performed by anyone but a licensed and experienced chiropractor as a poor adjustment can lead to further back problems.

In addition to chiropractic, many practitioners are also well schooled in physical therapy and sports medicine. Through the use of stretches, exercises, and massage, the muscles in spasm can be gently convinced to relax. Many times the therapeutic application of heat and ice and the use of ultrasound therapy is enough to loosen a muscle in spasm and prevent further incidences.

Surgeries

Surgeries are a rare medical treatment for back spasms. Some back spasms are caused by a disc rupturing and putting pressure on a nerve root. Once this root is compressed, it can cause the muscles around it to go into spasm. Removing the ruptured part of the disc can help to free up the nerve root, and this results in a decrease in pain and spasm.

If you have arthritis in your back or neck, this can also cause the muscles in the area to spasm. A Spinal fusion procedure, or surgically joining two vertebrae, can help to decrease the movement of the facet joints, or the joints of the spine. When the two are fused, it decreases movement, and the muscles no longer need to compensate for the arthritic joints. However, the fusion of the bones can cause pain and spasms from a different level of the back. For this reason, surgery is not often recommended for back spasms.

Have problems with back spasms? The caring professionals at BASIC Spine can help. We have pain management doctors, a chiropractor, and spinal surgeons who are experts in the many treatments for this condition.

Visit our team to set up a consultation.

This is not to say that chiropractic is simplistic.

Those who have made a study in this field know that it can be quite complex when the details are considered. However, patients don’t need the knowledge at this depth to understand how chiropractic works.

All doctors go through a process known as assessment to get to the heart of a problem, and chiropractic is no different. Since it focuses on the spine and nervous system, though, chiropractic has a few assessment techniques that are unique to its field.

Chiropractors are by nature evidence based practitioners. They see evidence of a problem, attempt a solution, and watch for evidence that the treatment has affected a cure. In this way, they are no different than traditional doctors, even if their treatment recommendations are not the typical ones a medical doctor would prescribe. They are effective, and that is the key.

Imaging Techniques

Nearly all doctors use imaging when making a diagnosis, but chiropractic uses it in a special way. The overriding philosophy of chiropractic is that misalignments of the spine, called subluxations, are the root cause of the problem.

Some chiropractors, called straight chiropractors, think that the subluxations can cause problems unrelated to the spine, such as digestive and heart issues. Most practitioners fall in the category called mixed, and this means that they work hand in hand with other medical professionals to treat the patient holistically.

When it comes to imaging, though, chiropractors rely on plain film x-rays of the spine. Usually, the images are taken while standing to demonstrate the position of the spine under the stress of weight and gravity.

Once these films are developed, chiropractors look at the relationship between the vertebrae to determine if they are out of alignment. In some cases, moving x-ray called fluoroscopy is used to observe the spine while in motion. Chiropractors will take measurements, determine vertebral relationships, and assess the function of the spine.

Motion and Static Palpation

Not all subluxations of the spine can be assessed via x-rays. X-rays are static, and although they provide a great picture, they don’t always tell the whole story. This is where palpation, or the assessment by touch, comes into play. All doctors assess via palpation, usually feeling for the fullness and tenderness of the abdomen or checking the wrist for a pulse, but chiropractors use two particular types of palpation to assess and diagnose out of place vertebrae.

Static palpation means the chiropractor simply touches the spine and feels for the bumps and landmarks that poke against the skin. He or she can do this while you are standing and while you are lying on your stomach. If the spine is out of alignment in either of these positions, they will be able to feel the deflection as their hands glide over the top of the skin.

Motion palpation is not exactly what you may think. This technique involves moving the vertebrae against each other. For instance, the chiropractor can press against a lumbar vertebra and feel how well it moves, if it moves in correctly, or if it slips out of alignment. Usually, this assessment is performed with the patient on their stomach, and it is different than the adjustments that attempt to move the vertebrae back into position. It is akin to flexing the different parts of the spine to determine if their movement is healthy.

Leg Length, Reflexes, and Muscles

Chiropractors will perform other assessments to determine how well the nervous system, which originates in the spine, is functioning. To this end, practitioners will check all of the reflexes to ensure that the nerves responsible for these reactions are working properly. Some spine conditions can lead to weak or delayed reflexes in the legs or arms, and this is clinically significant to both a medical doctor and a chiropractor.

They will also test the strength and symmetry of muscles. If the nervous system is not properly innervating a muscle, such as in sciatica, the strength of the hamstring, calf, or quadriceps may be weaker on the affected side. Hand grip and foot strength are also indicative of a nerve problem.

Finally, the length of the legs can determine if the spine is out of alignment. One leg can be shorter than the other, and this can cause back issues from the improper way the leg strikes the ground with walking. Unequal leg length can indicate a spine problem and can be a cause of back problems itself.

BASIC Spine believes so strongly in the benefit of chiropractic that we have our own chiropractor on our team, Dr. William Leach. Dr. Leach was educated at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, and he works in close conjunction with our spinal surgeons, pain management doctors, and physical therapists.

For a full chiropractic assessment, contact our offices to set up an appointment with Dr. Leach.

However, for the careful consumer, you have to wonder how safe, effective, and helpful this treatment actually is. Hanging upside down makes some people understandably nervous, and the price of the tables may be prohibitive as well. It all begs the question: is it worth it?

Yes, inversion therapy does have some benefits for back pain. In fact, it has been used since Roman times to cure various ills. Inversion therapy also has some significant risks, though, particularly if you have health conditions unrelated to the back pain.

If you think you can endure the tilt-table method or are willing to try, you should first have a good understanding of what inversion therapy entails, what risks are incumbent with the treatment, and then make an informed decision if this therapy is one that will work for you.

What is Inversion?

As crazy as it sounds, inversion is essentially hanging upside down. When you hang by your feet, gravity pulls your vertebrae apart, causing traction that can relieve the impingement of nerves and tissue.

It is actually based on a technique that is used by many chiropractors: non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. In this procedure, the traction is gentle and applied by a computerized table. With inversion, though, the traction is not progressive or necessarily gentle. Gravity simply pulls the spinal bones apart, and pain relief comes from the incline of the inversion table.

To benefit from inversion, you do not necessarily have to hang upside down by your ankles. In fact, many inversion therapy proponents recommend inclining the table at the point where you feel the most comfortable. You need to balance between promoting traction in your back and dealing with the effects of the tilt of the table.

Although many find the inversion experience tolerable, some feel uncomfortable or anxious that they are essentially exposed to the force of gravity by the table. Feeling these negative feelings can lead to tension in the muscles, and the therapy will not be as effective. It is important to slowly work towards increasing the incline of the inversion table to maximize benefits and minimize risks.

Risks of Inversion Therapy

You would not think that hanging upside down or even laying at a downward angle could have risks, but several are associated with inversion table therapy. One of the most concerning is the effect that inversion has on the heart and circulatory system. Although your heart rate will increase momentarily when you become inverted, it actually slows down after a period of time.

In addition, it can raise blood pressure precipitously. If you already have an existing heart condition or battle high blood pressure, using inversion can make these conditions worse and lead to life threatening cardiovascular problems.

Another risk with inversion therapy is the increased pressure in the eye. Inversion increases the pressure on the head, but it is particularly hard on the eye. If you have glaucoma, which is increase in pressures in the eye, then inversion can make these pressures increase.

This can lead to problems with blindness and with the retina. Other conditions that preclude the use of inversion are hernias, spinal injury, pregnancy, and middle ear infection. In fact, if you have problems with your spine, such as fractures or healing spinal fusions, it is recommended that you avoid inversion therapy.

Deciding on Inversion Therapy

Although it has its risks, inversion therapy does have some benefits. Some research has shown that using an inversion table can actually cause some widening of the spaces between vertebrae, and this can decompress discs, nerves, and soft tissue. Most people do not even need to invert completely, and they have experienced benefit from merely tilting the table to the angle that felt comfortable to them.

Other benefits associated with inversion tables are the decrease of muscle spasms, stretching of the muscles of the back, and stress reduction.

The studies that were conducted into inversion therapy were found upon later examination to be flawed. This means that no scientifically rigorous study has proven that inversion therapy is effective against lower back pain. With the risks associated with the process, you should be cautious when choosing this treatment.

Much anecdotal evidence exists to attest to its benefits, but that is not nearly enough to make a recommendation of the treatment. If you are interested in inversion therapy, see if you can find a way to test a table out before spending lavishly on a home table. Of course, you should see your doctor first to determine your suitability for inversion. You may find that the treatment is not for you, but for some, it may just be the relief they were looking for.

If you have lower back pain, you need a professional to assess your condition and prescribe traditional treatments for your condition. BASIC Spine has been treating lower back pain for many years, and our professionals are dedicated to helping you find what works best for you.

If you are considering inversion therapy or can’t find anything to ease your back pain, contact us at one of our convenient locations, and let us restore your back to health.

A recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences in April 2013 found that many patients stated, “I am afraid to make the damage worse.” The study found that back and neck patients viewed their bodies as fragile, and as a result, didn’t participate in activities that could help their back.

Unfortunately, the instinct to baby a perceived fragile back can actually make the pain worse. It is counterintuitive, but repeatedly backed up by studies. Those who exercise their back and neck tend to have better outcomes than those who don’t.

You may wonder what sort of activities are best for you back. Running, tennis, golf, and other strenuous activities could actually re injure your back. The goal is to find a gentle exercise, approved by your doctor, and preferably monitored by a professional.

You can participate in these five low impact methods to rehab your back and decrease your pain.

Walking

Hands down, walking is the absolute best exercise for your back. It doesn’t require any special equipment, it doesn’t take any special training, and it doesn’t strain the back. Clearly, it is the perfect exercise to help you recover from your back injury. You can walk outdoors to get fresh air, or you can use a treadmill in a gym if you live in inclement weather.

The easiest way to start walking is to simply head out your door and walk for five minutes. Turn around and walk back home. Of course, you should not push yourself too hard. Only walk as long as you can tolerate. After time, you will increase your fitness level, strengthen your back muscles, and decrease the risk factors for back pain, such as obesity. If you do nothing else, start a walking program that makes sense for your lifestyle. Your back can definitely handle this type of activity.

Yoga

Yoga is great for the back and neck because it stretches muscles and ligaments that may be injured. Although you can do yoga from a home DVD, it is much better to visit a yoga studio to work with a professional. Even a class of 10 people or so will be beneficial to you. In this environment, the instructor can make adjustments to your form and correct any potential injury causing movements.

Some back pain patients may be put off by the twisting and posing of yoga, but the key to yoga with back pain is modification. You don’t have to get into the extreme poses that are stereotypical of the practice. An instructor will help you to use blocks to support your body weight, bands to allow for gentle stretching, and full pose modification to ease into a stretch.

Pilates

Pilates is closely related to yoga, but has several important differences. Yoga is about building flexibility, while Pilates works on flexibility, strength, and stamina. This is another activity that you should see a professional to start with. If you do Pilates incorrectly, you may wind up injuring your back . A professional trainer can walk you through the basic moves of Pilates, teach you how to use the specialized machines, and modify movements to decrease the pain in your back.

Again, you may be discouraged by the poses and movements of Pilates. It is true that this activity can be challenging, but working with a professional can allow you to challenge yourself safely. It is far more interesting than simply walking, and it helps to increase muscle strength in ways that yoga cannot. If you can get to a Pilates trainer that is willing to work with your back pain, this may be the best option for you.

Swimming

If you can get to a pool in a health club or spa, swimming is a great activity for the back. First, you don’t put any weight on the spine, yet you still reap the benefits of the swimming movements. This is both a cardiovascular benefit and a strength one. Second, the resistance of the water can help to build muscles that other exercises cannot. Third, swimming is generally relaxing, and it is a great way to get your activity in and reduce stress.

You should add swimming to your regimen whenever possible. Even if you walk for a few days per week, try to add in swimming one or two days. The healing power of the water will help you feel better about your pain, but the lack of stress on the back is sometimes enough to make the pain decrease.

Even if you can’t swim a proper stroke, see if you can find a facility that will let you walk laps in the pool or perform water aerobics. Water therapy is beneficial to your body and your mind, and this is why it is a recommended activity.

You should not attempt any activities when you have back pain until you have been evaluated by a physician. The professionals at BASIC Spine can assess your pain origin, determine a course or treatment, and help you pick the best activities to rehabilitate your back.

If the thought of exercising with your back pain scares you, call us today to talk to one of our doctors.

This does not mean that you should give up your pursuit of this entertaining and aerobic sport. It merely means that you should be aware that back problems are possible from playing tennis, and you should take measures to help prevent developing back issues as a result of your game.

You can use strategies in your game that help your back, but many strategies are applicable in your day to day life. For instance, posture is a great indicator of back health, and if you work on developing a healthy posture, you can often avoid back injuries on the court.

Ergonomics is key in your life outside of tennis to protect your back. In fact, it is the posture and unhealthy back practices that occur outside of tennis that make the back weak. When playing tennis, the stresses caused by serving or a forehand smash capitalize on those weaknesses and cause pain.

Prevalence of Back Issues in Tennis

Back pain is prevalent in tennis from the elite athletes down to the weekend warrior. It was found that of 148 professional tennis players, 38 percent missed a tournament due to back pain. In addition, arthropathy of the facet joint was found in 70 percent of asymptomatic young elite tennis athletes of a median of 17 years of age. Only 8 to 21 percent of the general public is found to have this degree of pathology of the facet joint without symptoms.

Pars interarticularis is a prevalent spinal injury due to rotational stresses during the serve. This is a small outcropping of bone that is located in the general vicinity of the facet joint, and the motion of service often stresses the joint associated with this bone piece. It is the second most common tennis injury.

In addition, spondylolisthesis is present in 6 percent of elite status tennis athletes. These statistics do no indicate that tennis is a dangerous pastime, yet it does indicate a need for caution when on the court.

How Tennis Stresses the Back

It is well known in sports medicine circles that the serve causes the most problems with the back (see NIH study). It places a great deal of stress on the lumbar spine due to hyperextension of the lower back and compression of the discs. These actions can lead to sprains and strains of the ligaments, pressure on the intervertebral discs, and stress on the facet joints of the lower back. With the traditional forehand, the spine is rotated 90 degrees on its axis, and this can cause stresses on the lower back.

In fact, both the forehand and backhand shots require a great deal of trunk rotation that may lead to back pain. With the forehand, a more open stance helps to alleviate pain, and the one-handed back hand is preferred over the two handed variety.

The back must also endure the stop and start motions that are required for chasing down the tennis ball, and they must support sudden changes in direction. With these forces, you would surmise that tennis is detrimental to the back. However, a study published in a French rheumatism journal in 1999 found that tennis players do not experience more incidences of lower back pain, with or without sciatica.

Making Your Game More Back Friendly

In addition to paying particular attention to your posture and ergonomics off the court, you can take a few steps in your game to protect your back. You can use a slice serve over a kick serve to help reduce the stresses on the lower back.

When you set up to make a shot, bend your knees, keep your feet shoulder width apart, and contract your abdominal muscles in towards your spine. If you can choose a court, choose to play on a surface other than grass, since the speed of grass increases the pressure on the spine.

A back brace may be helpful for back problems that are already causing discomfort. You can take some of the strain off of your back by retrieving balls with the outside of your foot and racquet, rather than bending at the waist to get them off the ground. The tension of your racquet can also impact your back muscles.

A flexible racquet with tight strings requires more lower back rotation than a stiff racquet with loose strings. In addition, the size of the racquet is important in protecting the elbow, which could determine how you compensate with your body. For the best results, contact a professional to have your racquet optimized and your tennis form perfected.

At BASIC Spine, we encourage all of our patients to exercise regularly, and tennis is a fun and accessible way to get that exercise in. However, if you have experienced a back injury from your time on the court, we can help you to get back in swinging form.

Contacting our practice is your first step to helping you get back on the court.

References: Panagos A. Rehabilitation Medicine Quick Reference-Spine (ed. Buschbacher R.M.) New York: Demos Publishing; 2010. p. 36-37.

It can sometimes color every waking moment and impact severely on your daily life. Although you may know the basics of why your back hurts, what you have to do to fix your back, and the general anatomy, what is most important to learn is how to ensure you triumph over the pain.

It goes without saying that you deserve and should have the best doctors, pain therapists, and providers on your case as possible. Your back is a complex bit of machinery, and it takes experienced and qualified individuals to repair your back to its former health.

However, you are the most important piece in your success or failure at recovering from back pain. Whether you have a herniated disc or arthritis of the facet joints, your actions will go a long way toward determining the health of your back.

By focusing on steps you can take yourself, you shift the power into your court, transform uncertainty into action and take charge of your own destiny.

Dedicate Yourself to Exercise

When you have back pain, exercise is usually the farthest activity from your mind. Who wants to move when your back hurts so much? It is a typical reaction to back pain, and unfortunately, it is one of the most detrimental.

Muscles that are long immobilized become weaker, and this can make mild back pain morph into severe pain. Of course, you should not push yourself to exercise beyond your limits or to the point of excruciating pain. You need to exercise in a way that is supportive of your back yet relatively pain free.

The best way to incorporate exercise into your life is through physical therapy. Most spinal surgeons require six months of dedicated physical therapy before even considering a patient for surgery. Take this time of waiting as a means to avoid surgery. Many patients half-heartedly perform their exercises in therapy sessions, and they do not perform them at all at home. This is a surefire way to ensure that your back pain persists.

Dedicate yourself to your physical therapy. Work hard. Ask for at home exercises so that you can increase your muscle strength and flexibility. By doing this, you will decrease your back pain and likely prevent surgery.

Consider Alternative Therapies

Traditional therapies for back pain, such as physical therapy and surgery, have a long track record of success. However, they are not the only means by which you can recover back health. One of the most common alternative therapies that you should consider is chiropractic.

This treatment modality has a long tradition of helping back patients recover without complex medical procedures. It is generally simple, effective, and works well with physical therapy to prevent back surgery. Some patients and even some doctors are superstitiously against chiropractic, but countless rigorous peer reviewed studies have proven it to be effective for many spine conditions.

Finding a provider that works closely with the other members of the back care team, though, will only benefit you as you confront your back condition.

Other alternative therapies do not have the weight of research behind them, but the anecdotal evidence supporting them is quite promising.

For instance, traditional acupuncture is often used for lower back pain, such as sciatica, to reduce pain, inflammation, and increase blood flow.

Massage is another alternative therapy that can ease muscles in spasm and help to increase the exchange of blood to less vascular areas of the back, such as the discs. Finally, therapies such as biofeedback, meditation, and yoga can help you to control your mind as it confronts pain. In many cases, learning how to mentally deal with the pain can be as effective as some medications.

Grow a Support Network

Support when you have pain is vital. Research shows that the brain pathways that handle pain are the same ones that determine mood. This is why so many antidepressant medications are useful as pain relievers. For this reason, it is important to avoid the problems of chronic depression and anxiety that sometimes occur with chronic pain conditions. By developing a support network, you decrease your likelihood of experiencing these conditions and decrease any symptoms that may be present.

A good place to start to form a support network is within your own family. Spouses, children, and siblings sometimes make good sounding boards for your struggles with pain. However, some families are fraught with complications, and in that case, these support candidates are less desirable.

The internet is a great place to meet people who experience the same pain you have, and they can understand in ways that family and friends cannot. Message boards, Facebook groups, and other social media can help you find others who share your pain. In addition, a therapist is often helpful because they can provide professional techniques to help you overcome your pain, depression, and anxiety.

The entire BASIC Spine medical team is dedicated to helping our patients triumph over back pain. These are the behaviors we have witnessed that seem to help patients recover the best. Exercise, alternative treatments, and support are the keys to ending back pain and avoiding surgery.

If you would like to thrive instead of survive with back pain, please call one of our convenient locations for an appointment.

Many brain infections can lead to neurological problems, and can require brain surgery to remove pockets of infection or to apply physical treatments. It is important for those who have problems with the spine and brain to know what infections may occur and how to prevent them.

The infections of the nervous system can occur for a variety of reasons. For instance, skull fractures or any opening in the skull or spinal cord puts the entire nervous system at risk. This includes having problems following a spinal puncture or procedure that comes close to the spinal cord, such as an epidural injection.

Although brain and spinal infections are rare, they are still considered a risk of most spinal procedures, and it helps to know the differences between the various types of bacteria that can cause infections. Knowing the symptoms will help you spot problems early and potentially save you the pain of a protracted infection.

Meningitis

Meningitis is the most common type of neurological infection, and it describes an assault on the protective lining that surrounds both the brain and spinal cord called the meninges. This type of infection comes in two primary flavors: bacterial and viral. Viral meningitis is rarely severe, often caused by the viruses such as the chicken pox virus, and can be treated with anti-viral medications. In most cases, supportive therapy, such as treating headaches or flu-like symptoms, is the only treatment necessary for viral meningitis.

It is bacterial meningitis that is the most troublesome, and it can be life threatening. It is caused by a handful of different bacteria, and the condition can occur after any break in the skull, such as a fracture or surgical incision, or as a result of congenital defects. Some symptoms include headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, fever, confusion, altered consciousness, and an inability to tolerate bright lights or loud noises.

In addition, the inflammation around the brain can lead to shock, and a stay in an intensive care unit may be necessary for life saving treatment. Antibiotics are an important component of treatment, and steroids are sometimes used to decrease inflammation. Untreated bacterial meningitis can lead to death, but most patients who receive treatment recover well.

Encephalitis

Encephalitis is closely related to meningitis. Encephalitis describes infection and inflammation of the brain, while meningitis usually refers to inflammation around the spinal cord. In fact, when both are present, the condition is referred to as meningoencephalitis. The two are distinct infections, although there is quite a bit of overlap. Encephalitis without any meninges involvement is usually the result of a viral infection, such as rabies, polio, herpes simplex-1, and measles.

Encephalitis is usually diagnosed by MRI, and lumbar punctures are only performed after the scan indicates that there is no pressure on the brain. Treatment is usually supportive of symptoms, and as in meningitis, shock sometimes occurs.

This may indicate a need for medications to control blood pressure and possible mechanical ventilation. Anti-viral medications are of limited usage, and they are dependent upon the type of virus present. For instance, acyclovir is often used for herpes simplex-1, and it can help to decrease the activity of the virus in encephalitis. Steroids are also used to control the inflammation.

Brain Abscess

An abscess in the brain is essentially a pocket of infected material buried somewhere in the brain tissue. In addition to causing the signs and symptoms of infection, from fever to shock, they can also increase pressure in the skull and cause neurological symptoms.

Nearly all brain abscesses have an outside cause, and only very rarely do they arise without some other agent in the body creating the abscess. If the causative factor is not found, then the abscess can come back and threaten the life of the patient.

These lesions can be caused by several agents. Compound fractures of the skull and penetrating trauma are obvious initial insults for the formation of a brain abscess, but they are not the only ones. Middle ear infections are a common cause of brain abscesses, and some congenital heart diseases can lead to a formation of this condition. Finally, infections of the sinuses can sometimes lead to the infection traveling into the brain.

Antibiotics are the primary course of treatment, and they are more effective when typed against the actual bacteria present. In addition, surgery to decrease intracranial pressure and drain the abscess remains a vital component of effective treatment of brain abscesses.

Treatment

At BASIC Spine, we help treat patients with trauma and perform surgery that can rarely introduce bacteria into the neurological system. We are well aware of the types and complications of brain and spinal infections, and know how to treat them quickly and effectively. If you think you or a loved one may have some sort of infection, contact an emergency center immediately.

If you have been diagnosed with an infection from back pain treatments, please contact us for further diagnosis and treatment of your condition.