If you have competed long enough in sports, chances are you or someone you know has been afflicted with back pain. Eight out of ten people at some point in their lives will be affected by back pain.
Although an athlete, like yourself, may be in better overall physical condition than the average person, they are very much at risk of sustaining a back injury due to the repetitive and excessive stresses of training and competing.
Track and field and cross country athletes subject themselves to numerous factors that may lead to low back pain. The repetitive nature of training, the training surfaces, year-round training, poor/worn footwear, all may contribute to possible back problems. When combined with poor technique, poor recovery and poor therapy, you have a “perfect storm” for recurring injuries and poor performance.
Acute back pain that is recent and comes on suddenly deserves special attention. Bad fall and collisions do occur and may lead to serious complication. Any history of significant trauma should raise a “red flag” and the injured athlete should be assessed as soon as possible.
If direct trauma does not occur, then the P.R.I.C.E. Principle (prevent painful motion, rest, ice, compression, elevation) should be initiated soon after the back pain begins. The athlete should be instructed to see a health care practitioner familiar and even specialized in managing back pain (i.e. chiropractor, physiotherapist, sports medicine physician) for more thorough assessment and treatment.
Chronic and/or recurring back pain can be very frustrating. It must be remembered that certain athletic activities are excessively stressful on the back. Often chronic back pain (back pain lasting more than three months) results from repetitive microtraumas to the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, facet joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Mechanical factors contribute to chronic back pain such as excessive traction, compression, torsion and shearing of the spine and related tissues. Certain athletic activities like running are excessively stressful on the spine. Poor technique, lack of strength, flexibility, stability and coordination can expose and increase one’s risk.
As mentioned above, I can’t stress enough, to ensure a complete and proper recovery and rehabilitation of an athlete with back pain, she/he should be referred to a health care practitioner who is properly trained, skilled and familiar with managing such injuries. Prompt (within a day or two of the injury) and proper initial management of an injury will significantly reduce healing time and reduce future risk.
Management of low back injuries is a rapidly evolving field. Chiropractic therapy consisting of manual manipulation and soft tissue techniques (i.e. ART ®) are two common conservative forms of treatment. In fact current scientific research now considers chiropractic manipulative therapy to be the gold standard for managing mechanical low back pain. Physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture are other conservative forms of treatment that may be of significant benefit. Steroid injections, medication and surgery should only be considered in a few more serious situations.
If you are seriously interested in prevention of low back pain, you would address the following two issues: ¬ Ensure above average strength, flexibility and spinal stability;
ensure proper technical skill to ensure biomechanical efficiency.
An athlete is exposed to repetitive, often sudden and unexpected stresses in training and competition. Similar to car trouble, the earlier a problem is addressed, the less the chance for a costly, lengthy repair. If you sustain a back injury or any injury for that matter, seek a health professional as soon as possible. Better yet, because of the extra forces absorbed by an athlete’s body, proactive, preventive assessment and treatment sessions often help improve performance and reduce risk of wear and tear injuries.
Have a great season and have fun!
Dr. Erin A. White is a chiropractor, certified kinesiologist
in