Common Back Injuries
Back injuries are prevalent and can significantly impact daily life and mobility. These injuries often result from poor lifting mechanics, sudden movements, or prolonged poor posture. Common back injuries include muscle strains, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. Symptoms may include back pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, and, in severe cases, radiating pain or numbness in the legs. Treatment typically involves rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy (available at both Cambridge and Kitchener locations), and, in some cases, surgical interventions to alleviate pressure on nerves or stabilize the spine.
Back Muscle Strain or Sprain
A “pull” or tear of the muscles in your lower back area. Typically caused by lifting heavy objects, sudden movements and other trauma.
Symptoms Include:
Pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy.
Herniated Disc (Slipped Disc)
The disc is a rubbery fluid-filled shock absorber between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. A herniated disc occurs when the disc lining (capsule) tears allowing the thick disc fluid to squeeze out. Typically caused by a lifting or twisting injury, especially if sudden or traumatic. May be associated with “sciatica”.
Symptoms Include:
Pain (especially bending forward and sitting), stiffness and lack of motion. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy.
Facet Joint Strain
Inflammation or mechanical irritation of the facet joints of the spine which are the small joints that connect one vertebra to the other. Typically caused by overuse or repetitive motions that put the back into an over arched position; can also be caused by trauma that causes hyperextension of your back.
Symptoms Include:
Pain (particularly when arching or extending your back), stiffness and lack of motion. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy.
Sciatica
Pinching, compression or irritation of the nerve roots in your spine. Typically caused by a herniated disc or osteoarthritic or degenerative bone spurs.
Symptoms Include:
Sharp electric-like pain that shoots all the way down your leg to your foot, numbness and tingling, and may include weakness. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy. In severe cases, surgery is sometimes needed.
Mechanical Back Pain
Back pain arising from the soft tissue structures (muscles, tendons and ligaments) that surround the vertebrae of your spine. Multiple anatomic structures and tissues are usually involved. Typically caused by overuse, poor core and postural stabilization, repetitive motions, being overweight and muscle tightness and imbalances.
Symptoms Include:
Lower back pain and stiffness. Treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Wearing down of the integrity of the shock-absorber discs between the vertebrae, leading to degenerative changes such as bone spurs. Typically related to aging and genetics, but also associated with previous back injuries.
Symptoms Include:
Pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion, especially when trying to bend forward. May also be associated with sciatica, facet joint osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. Treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy.
Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
Wearing down or degeneration of cartilage in the facet joints of the spine which are the small joints that connect one vertebra to the other. Typically related to aging and genetics, but also associated with previous back injuries.
Symptoms Include:
Pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion, especially when arching or extending your back. May also be associated with sciatica, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. Treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal through which runs your spinal cord, causing increased pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots. Typically related to aging, genetics, degenerative disc disease and facet joint osteoarthritis.
Symptoms Include:
Pain that runs down your legs to your feet which is worsened as you walk but relieved when you stop to rest. May also include numbness, tingling and weakness. Treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, chiropractic and massage therapy. Surgery is sometimes needed in severe cases.
Spondylolysis
Small crack or break in the bones at the back part of the spinal vertebrae near the facet joints. Typically caused by overuse or repetitive motions that involve arching or hyperextension of your spine. Common in activities such as gymnastics, figure skating and dance, and some people are genetically predisposed.
Symptoms Include:
Pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion (especially when arching or extending your back), which can mimic facet joint syndrome. Treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, and may involve bracing the spine for a prolonged period of time.
Spondylolisthesis
Occurs when one vertebra slips forward in relation to the one beneath it. Is associated with spondylolysis in young athletes and with degenerative changes in older people.
Symptoms Include:
Pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Treatment includes physiotherapy, exercises to improve core strength, exercise to improve postural support, and may involve bracing the spine for a prolonged period of time. If severe, especially if the slippage causes sciatica, surgery may be needed.
Specific treatments For back injuries may vary based on the individual’s condition and severity of the injury. Seeking professional medical advice for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan is recommended for the best outcomes.
Anatomical Diagrams
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