Back injuries are very common. They are caused when damage occurs to the bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue, and nerves located in the back zone. Many of these injuries happen in the lower section of your back. This can cause pain and discomfort, but with the help of a chiropractor for back pain in Florida, you can have your life back before the injury. 

The spine plays a crucial role in injuries related to back pain. This structure acts as the central pillar of the body and provides protection to the nerves that connect information between the brain and the rest of the body. 

Spine injuries may result from vehicle accidents and can be extremely dangerous, causing you to affect your nervous system and even loss of mobility in your limbs. 

Back injuries may also occur during exercise or daily activities, where we bend our spine in the wrong ways. These injuries include lumbar (lower back) strain, pulled muscles, neck sprains, and, rarely, stress fractures. The common culprits are lifting weights that are too heavy. 

When it comes to lifting weights in the gym, it’s advised to start with lighter weights and gradually move up as you gain muscle strength.

 Common back injuries include:

  • sprains and strains — when you overstretch a muscle or tear a ligament in your back
  • herniated disc — when a spinal disc bulges out of shape and irritates a nerve
  • fractured vertebrae — a break in any of the bones in your back
  • spinal stenosis — the narrowing of the space where your spinal cord sits or of the small spaces where your nerves leave your spine
  • spondylolisthesis — one of your vertebrae slips forward, leaning on the vertebra below, squashing the nerve between the 2 vertebrae.

The seriousness of back injuries can vary, depending on the cause of your injury and the damage done. Most back pain is linked to minor strains. This can be very painful but will improve over a few days to weeks with the help of a personal injury chiropractor.

Causes and Symptoms of a Back Injury

If not performed correctly, daily activities can damage your back. For example, doing sports with an incorrect posture, lifting light objects with the spine bent, and even lifting heavy objects beyond your capabilities can increase the risk of having a back injury. 

If you have injured your back, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • pain or tenderness (sore to touch)
  • pain that gets worse when you move, cough, sneeze or laugh
  • difficulty bending, walking or standing up straight
  • muscle spasms
  • bruising
  • swelling
  • pain that radiates down your arms or legs

There are also many risk factors that make a back injury more likely, such as:

  • your age
  • physical fitness
  • Overweight
  • Osteoporosis

Feeling Pain? Maybe It is the Time to Make An Appointment with Your Doctor

You should see your doctor if you have experienced:

  • Back pain from an accident, such as a car accident or falling off a ladder
  • Suddenly, back pain that does not improve after a few days
  • back pain that is getting worse
  • pain that continues for more than 4 weeks
  • severe pain that wakes you up
  • back and abdominal pain

If you have a bad back injury, you should see a doctor right away. Signs of a severe back injury include:

  • trouble in urinating 
  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • blood in your urine
  • weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, hands or feet
  • numbness in your genitals, groin area or anus
  • Fever
  • Paralysis

How are Back Injuries Treated?

Treatment will depend on your back injury and its severity. Most minor back injuries get better by themselves within 6 weeks.

Minor back injuries can usually be treated with simple measures such as:

  • Staying active

The most important thing you can do is to continue to stay as active as possible. You may find that you can do a bit more each day. A common myth is that bed rest will cure back pain. In fact, bed rest slows down the recovery period.

Depending on your job, you may need some time off work to allow your back to heal. It’s a good idea to try and get back to work as soon as possible. This may be part-time or on reduced duties, but it will help you recover more quickly.

  • Pain relief

You may find that simple pain-relief methods are helpful, such as:

  • heat packs
  • relaxed breathing
  • Your doctor may suggest short-term pain relief medicines or anti-inflammatory medicines. These may help to keep you moving while you are recovering.
  • Hands-on manipulation

Several “hands-on” treatments can relax tight muscles, reduce pain and improve posture and alignment. Depending on the cause of the pain, you may need osteopathic manipulation or chiropractic adjustments. A Chiropractor for Back Pain in Florida can help you relieve the pain. Massage therapy can also help with back pain relief and restore function.

Preventing Back Injuries

You can’t prevent lower back pain that results from disease or structural problems in the spine. But you can avoid injuries that cause back pain. To reduce this risk, you should:

  • Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts pressure on vertebrae and disks.
  • Strengthen your abdominal muscles: Pilates and other exercise programs strengthen core muscles that support the spine.
  • Lift the right way: To avoid injuries, lift with your legs (not your back). Hold heavy items close to your body. Try not to twist your torso while you’re lifting.

You can also visit a Personal Injury Chiropractor, who can help you develop a customized plan that may include exercises and physical activity to prevent further injuries and recover from the ones you have suffered.