Around 80% of the population suffers from back pain at some time in their life. But some people need frequent visits to back pain clinics due to their lifestyle.
For instance, athletes are more likely to get back pain due to the regular physical activity they have to perform.
For most people, alleviating back pain requires one or two physiotherapy sessions, but athletes need medical attention or physical therapy to avoid serious consequences like restricted movement. Or else, it can be a big hurdle in their career.
Causes of Back Pain in Athletes
Multiple reasons cause athletes to face back pain. Some of the most common ones seen by physios in Edmonton include:
Back Muscle/Ligament Sprain
It is usually caused by tears in muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the back due to quick jerking motion or overstretching. It can happen during the training session or while playing.
No matter what the reason is, it requires the attention of a physical therapist. Otherwise, it can convert into chronic pain that can affect your performance. The best way to avoid this situation is to follow the treatment plan suggested by your therapist.
Herniated disc
We all have a disc in our backs supporting and separating the bone vertebrae. If it moves from the original position, it will add pressure on the nerves. It causes constant pain in the back.
The most common reasons for its displacement include a fall, repeated strain, or a sudden violent movement of the back muscles. It can be treated in a non-surgical way by medication or by getting the best physiotherapy in Edmonton.
Mechanical Back Pain
It is the most common back pain among athletes. The cause of this problem is past injuries that were not healed, or it is due to a bad posture.
The usual symptoms for this condition include stiffness, restriction, and constant pain in the back. The best treatment for this problem is rest and physical therapy.
Spondylolysis
This disorder is due to weakened bones and small fractures in the vertebrae. There is no definitive cause for this problem, but it is common among athletes due to frequent hyperextension. This chronic pain can be avoided by restraining from sports for some time and the following physiotherapy.
Treatment Options
The therapist usesa variety of treatment options to treat back pain among the athletes. Some of them include:
Superficial Heat
For acute back pain, you can use ice or heat therapy. The use of an ice bag can help to reduce inflammation and swelling. It also helps to stem the cells.
On the other hand, heat therapy is also becoming a viable treatment for acute back injuries. Based on research, heat therapy is great for acute pain and can help alleviate the pain within seven days.
Massage Therapy
Manual massage therapy is one of the vastly used methods for releasing tension and knots in the muscles. The expert therapist knows how exactly to target pain relief in the lower back.
Shockwave Therapy
This non-invasive treatment has proven to be very effective for athletes. It reduces inflammation and helps in getting relief from pain.
The clinics like Regenerate Shockwave Therapy uses radial or extracorporeal technique to help athletes with stubborn pain. It also helps to restrict the acute pain from becoming chronic.
Along with shockwave therapy in Edmonton, there are other treatment options like laser therapy to target the lower back muscles.
For athletes to have a long and active career, they should make it a habit to visit the back pain clinic. The expert therapist will help in restoring and improving the range of motion.
