Back injuries are an extremely common problem and almost four out of five adults suffer from back injury or pain at some time or the other. The spinal cord extends right from the neck down towards the tailbone. It’s made up of vertebrae that have intervertebral discs separating them; and muscles, tendons & ligaments surround it. The spinal cord is essentially a bunch of nerves that are positioned inside the spinal column.
The spine provides support to your body while you are sitting standing and walking; it also provides support with certain tasks that don’t really involve any movement of the spine. Any of the structures mentioned above can suffer injuries, and the severity of the pain that the person experiences may not be indicative of the type of injury suffered.
When it comes to spinal injuries, aspects such as fitness levels, type of work and lifestyle have a very big impact. In addition, the pain that the person experiences may also vary based on the person and their specific experience. The type of physiotherapy treatment will be determined based on whether the back injury has been classified as:
- Chronic Injury – These injuries will generally build up very gradually over time. They may also be the result of an acute injury in which the person experiences discomfort or back pain even after 12 weeks post the injury.
- Acute Injury – Certain back injuries are classified as acute and occur suddenly post a fall, knock or a certain type of movement. In most instances, an acute injury may last for between a few days to many weeks.
Back Injuries – The Different Types
The back is an extremely complex part that is integral to the human body. It can suffer a number of different injuries such as:
- Strains and Sprains – Damage to the muscles, tendons or ligaments. This can take place due to lifting excessively heavy loads or using poor lifting techniques.
- Traumatic Injuries – Sudden injuries to some part of the spine; these could range from very minor injuries that resolve by themselves, to very severe injuries that impact spinal function.
- Prolapsed/Herniated Discs – When the vertebrae become injured, it can cause the disk that is positioned between two vertebrae to move and protrude out of the area that it generally fits in, which can result in severe pain.
- Sciatica – The sciatic nerve gets pinched which can be a result of narrowing of the spinal canal. This causes discomfort down the legs and outer buttock area.
- Intervertebral Disc Degeneration – Intervertebral discs provide very good cushioning between all the vertebrae. Over time, these discs can either lose their sponginess or narrow down. This type of degeneration can result in referred pain in adjacent areas such as the hips.
- Scoliosis – This abnormal curvature in the spine typically develops with age. It can result in spinal structural abnormality and pain. Scoliosis can be genetic or might develop over time.
Stress fractures and Spondylolisthesis are some of the other back problems people can suffer from. Physiotherapists work with patients on a one-on-one basis while treating back pain and back injuries. We at Insync Physiotherapy have skilled and experienced podiatrists on board and can provide excellent treatments and care.
For any more information on the different types of services we provide, feel free to contact us on (02) 7226 3432. You can also send us your queries via this online form and we will respond quickly and answer any queries you may have.
Thanks for reading,
Insync Physiotherapy Team
(02) 7226 3432