low back pain - Part 2

Back Pain from Your Backhand? Preventing and Treating Tennis Injuries

You’ve been working hard on your serve, only to have to sit out your next tennis match because of back pain. While you may be in pain, you’re certainly not alone; tennis injuries, especially back pain, are common (even in the pros) and can range widely in their level of severity. The rotation needed to switch between backhand and forehand can wrench muscles in the low back, leading to acute pain. Serving is also a major culprit when it comes to back pain in tennis players because the hyperextension puts stress on the foot joints and disc. More serious problems include herniated disc or degenerative disc disease and stress fractures can occur a condition more common in younger players. As always, an ounce of prevention is worth of a pound of cure. Stretching before play is key, as is finding the right racket and proper shoes for shock absorption. Players new to the game as well as those who have been playing for years should make sure their form is correct — with knees bent and abdominal muscles contracted. Also, make sure to use the first ten minutes on the court as warm-up time before playing hard. Those modifications are

September 2, 2014

Lower Back Pain and Student Athletes

Across the board, I encourage my patients and their families to exercise regularly and participate in sports however they can. Competitive sports for children and young adults can serve as both a great learning experience, and an opportunity to make new friends. Sports also help kids to create building blocks for success later in life, and are a fun way to exercise among peers. However, a recent study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine showed that “excessive exposure to competitive sports activities during youth was associated with low back pain and symptoms in the lower extremities.” While strains and sports-related injuries are common among young athletes, the study found that wear-and-tear caused by improper motions or posture can have a long-term effect on athletes into adulthood. Young athletes may be exposed to sports injuries at a young age, which, if improperly treated, can lead to further pain throughout their lives. Common injuries include muscle strains, stingers, and disc injuries. Young athletes can also suffer overuse that lead to injuries as they continue to train. Specialization in sports at a young age can reduce range of motion in joints and create an imbalance in muscle strength. Intense or repetitive training,

March 19, 2014

Lower Back Pain and Core Strength

With over 31 million Americans suffering from lower back pain, this persistent ailment is one of the most common health problems plaguing adults in the United States. While some severe cases are the result of a deeper issue, temporary back pain is quite normal and can be reduced or eliminated through proper exercise and postural techniques. One way I recommend to reduce minor low back pain is through strengthening your core. The core encompasses all of the muscles from your hamstrings up to your neck, from your abdominals to your back muscles. Since all of these muscles work together to support your spine, keeping the core engaged and strong can eliminate minor back , improve posture, and reduce the risk of greater injury down the road. Yoga and pilates, two very popular forms of exercise, focus on engaging and strengthening core muscles. Yoga works the core muscles methodically through balance, flexibility, and relaxation. The core components of pilates are control, concentration, and centering the body. These are all achieved through engaging core muscles and, over time, building strength that can help reduce minor pain. Swimming is also a great way to engage your deep core muscles and hit different muscle

March 5, 2014

How to Shovel Snow Safely This Winter

With winter upon us in New York City, many of us will be tasked with shoveling snow at some point during the season. Please exercise caution, as snow shoveling is one of the more common causes of back injuries during the winter. This is because most people rarely do this kind of physical work on a regular basis. When shoveling snow, it’s important to follow a few common-sense precautions and techniques to prevent injury and low back pain. To ensure efficiency and safety, there is a proper way to shovel snow. First and foremost, it’s best to use the proper tools. Keep snow as well as injuries at bay by using an ergonomic show shovel. Shovels should have a curved handle and be the proper length to prevent bending of the knees and/or arching of the back. The shovel should be light to ensure the amount of weight you’re moving repetitively is kept to a minimum. I also recommend moving small amounts in each shovelful. If possible, shoveling in this way, over a slightly longer period of time, will lessen the strain and pressure on the lower back and legs. Even if you are unable to find a shovel that

December 10, 2013

Do Flat Feet Cause Back Pain?

In a recent study, researchers found that women who have flat feet, a common condition, are 50 percent more likely to have pain in their lower back as opposed to those with normal or high arches. This study is the first of its kind to make a significant connection between low back pain and flat feet. Published in the journal Rheumatology, the study examined both men and women, measuring each subject’s arch in the standing position and how pressure was distributed on the foot while walking. To confirm and expand the findings, future studies will likely follow participants with different types of arches for a significant period of time, and will attempt to determine what effect interventions such as orthotics may have on the development of back pain. So why are women more affected by walking with flat feet than men? Marian Hannan, senior author of the study, and her team were not able to determine exact causes but suggested a few possible reasons. For example, pelvic bones in women are wider than and not as flexible as those in men, and women tend to rotate their hips and move their upper bodies more as they walk.

November 19, 2013

More Content | Blog

Back Pain from Your Backhand? Preventing and Treating Tennis Injuries

Lower Back Pain and Student Athletes

Lower Back Pain and Core Strength

How to Shovel Snow Safely This Winter

Do Flat Feet Cause Back Pain?