Lower back pain, especially when felt by young athletes, can be a symptom of a more serious issue. Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are two conditions that cause lower back pain in young athletes. These are two fancy terms for a stress fracture or crack in one of the vertebrae, which are the small bones that comprise the entire spinal column. What are Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis? This injury happens most often in adolescents and children that frequently participate in sports that put…

Our spinal columns contain a series of bones, known as vertebrae, that are stacked on top of each other. Each bone is protected by a disc that acts as a cushion. Discs absorb the shocks that happen due to our daily activities. When we walk, lift, twist – basically any movement we make – these discs keep our bones from rubbing against each other and becoming damaged from shocks. However, when we get hurt these discs can slip. If you…

With the arrival of winter season, many people will be at risk of all kinds of injuries, from slips and falls, to sprains and strains, to serious back injuries when shovelling snow. It is important to take safety precautions to prevent injury, because even light fluffy snow can sustain serious back injuries if shovelled improperly. Here are a few tips to help you avoid low back pain and injuries when shovelling snow: Choose the right snow shovel Choosing an ergonomic…

Lower back pain is very common, with roughly 80 percent of adults experiencing it in their lifetime. Lower back pain is also complex, with many different possible causes. One often unsuspected cause can be your feet. Lower back pain can significantly impact the quality of one’s life. In fact, it is a very common cause of disability and missed days of work. While most lower back pain is acute, some also experience chronic lower back pain. The fact that treatment…