Understanding Structural Injuries & Resolving Back Pain – Part 3
(3 min read)
In this final part, we will address the complex nature of back pain related to structural injuries. While the muscular problems discussed in the previous articles are often straightforward to resolve, back pain can involve various factors. If the injury or trauma affects a structural component such as the spine, it is crucial to seek immediate professional care. The good news is that a skilled physical therapist can often make significant progress in resolving the issue without the need for surgical intervention. However, the complexity and severity of each case can vary, necessitating an individualized approach.
The purpose of this article is to educate you on common structural back injuries that you may or may not have experienced and provide guidance on resolving them.
Herniated or bulging disc:
Simply put, this occurs when one or more discs shift out of alignment, exerting pressure on the spinal cord and potentially affecting nerve endings, leading to significant pain.
While age-related wear and tear is often a contributing factor, these injuries can also result from excessive mechanical loads, such as weightlifting. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize proper technique and effectively manage the loads when engaging in weightlifting. By ensuring proper load distribution throughout the body, with no single structure overloaded, the risk of spinal injuries can be significantly reduced.
There are other structural injuries to the spine, such as fractures or spinal cord compressions, but they are less common than the disc-related injuries mentioned above. Nonetheless, if you experience any of these conditions, always consult a professional. Remember, never attempt to self-diagnose.
A useful gauge to assess the severity of your pain is a scale of 1-10, with 1 indicating mild pain and 10 indicating severe pain requiring immediate medical attention and strong pain relief. If you find yourself higher on the scale and experience sharp or acute pains during specific movements, it is advisable not to wait but to seek professional help promptly. On the other hand, if the pain is mild and predominantly located in the muscles rather than the spine itself, it suggests that the issue may not be as serious, and you need not worry as much.
Nevertheless, it is still recommended to seek assistance from a trusted professional, even in less severe cases, as they can provide guidance and ensure there is no substantial injury or trauma to the spine.
Thank you for reading our blog post, we hope the information was helpful.
Please comment below or get in touch if you have any questions.
Disclaimer: If you are currently experiencing severe/chronic pain, then you should be consulting an allied health professional (physiotherapist/osteopath etc.)
