Back Injury
There are many causes of common back injury. Injuries may occur to the spinal bones,
intervertebral discs
or any of the soft tissues in the back. Spinal bone and disc injuries are usually more serious than soft tissue damage involving the muscles, ligaments or tendons. However, any injury should be treated as a potentially serious condition and appropriate
back pain treatment
should be sought from a qualified care provider.Back injury can be a mild bump in the road or a major life catastrophe for any affected patient. Injury is always a sensitive subject, since it often involves blame and subsequent legal action. It is normal for people to get injured in the course of their lives, as there are simply far too many circumstances which can damage the anatomy and avoiding all of these, all the time, seems virtually impossible while living a full and normal life. However, it is paramount to keep in mind that HEALING is the body’s primary directive, meaning that above all else, the body will immediately go about repairing injuries until they have resolved. For patients with chronic pain related to an extreme back injury, there may be little hope for a complete cure, despite the best efforts of the body to fix itself. However, for the vast majority of people with mild to moderate injuries, the chances of suffering from a chronic pain syndrome directly related to the physical trauma itself are low. Statistically, many patients might suffer from a combination of anatomical issues, such as scar tissue and nerve damage related to a damaging incident, while also being sizably affected by the psychoemotional aspects of the trauma, as well. Here are some focused discussions on individual topics related to injury to the spine and back:
Vertebral Wedging
Disc Injury
Spinal Nerve Injury
Spinal Fluid Leak
Fractured Vertebrae
Compression Fracture
Vertebral Stress Fracture
Torn Ligament in the Back
Broken Back
Broken Neck
Spinal Cord Injury
Stem Cell Research for Spinal Cord Injury
Spine Injury
Coccyx Injury
Lower Back Injury
Lumbar Injury
Neck Injury
Cervical Injury
Whiplash
Whiplash Neck Pain
Whiplash Back Pain
Car Accident Back Pain
Causes of Back Injury
Injuries are usually the result of some form of trauma. Car accidents,
slip and falls
or incidents of violence are all common causes for injuries to occur. The force of the trauma will often dictate the extent of the damage. Other physical factors that contribute to a substantial percentage of back injuries are lifting heavy objects,
sports injuries
and poor muscle condition. Perceived back injuries can also be the result of the mindbody process.
Psychological back pain
will often wait for a convincing physical
trigger
to begin to be symptomatic. This actual minor injury, or perceived injury, can lead to a chronic bout of
treatment resistant back pain.
This type of back ache is the most sinister, since it is often
misdiagnosed
and the cure rate is so pitifully low. Perceived injuries are sometimes characterized as causing severe pain from seemingly innocent actions, such as opening a stuck window, bending over or picking up a moderately hefty object. While there may be minuscule damage enacted, the mind perceives the event to be much worse, creating the ideal circumstances for psychosomatic escalation and perpetuation of the symptoms. Repetitive strain back pain can be the very real result of a recurrent string of small traumas to the same region. Repetitive muscle strains or sprains can cause RSI syndrome, which is a diagnostic conclusion reaching alarming rates in the dorsopathy sector. Learn more about the lasting effects of repetitive injuries on my page titled
scar tissue in the back.
Back Injury Recommendations
Injured patients often view themselves as damaged goods. This may be a self diagnosed condition in a few cases, but is usually the emotional result of stern warnings and prohibitions made by care providers who are basically covering their own butts legally, just in case the patient does not recover 100%. Once viewed as being “damaged or less than whole” a patient is likely to suffer continuing pain which may become a disabling and debilitating issue. In fact, statistics show that patients with severe pain lasting more than 6 months to a year will likely suffer this torment for life. No matter how many times I cite this fact, it chills me to the core. If you have hurt your back in some form of accident or occurrence, concentrate on your recovery. Too many patients become obsessed with the pain condition or some subsequent
personal injury lawsuit.
It is justified to pursue legal action if you have been hurt. However, do not place litigation as a higher priority than actually
recovering from spinal injury.
Too many patients find themselves becoming the victims of lifelong torture, simply for the sake of trying to make a few dollars. Additionally, much of the money recovered will go to your
personal injury lawyer,
who will benefit greatly from your pain and suffering but will not likely care if your agony continues once litigation is over. Health is always more important than wealth. Words to live by. For patients who have suffered only mild to moderate back injury, but still have severe and intractable pain, there may be emotional factors at the heart of your misery. This is very common and virtually never recognized or treated successfully by doctors. This phenomenon is one of the main scenarios covered in great detail in the brilliant literary works of Dr. John Sarno, who teaches that the mind is the true causative process for chronic pain in a great number of patients whose actual injuries have long since healed, as well as in patients who never suffered a specific and actual injury to begin with, despite their perception of one occurring. If this describes a possibility in your own case, it may be wise to investigate alternative back pain treatment using knowledge therapy.
Back Injury to Back Pain
8/29/06 Revised 2/9/12
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