Lower Back Injuries – March Madness Edition

March Madness is in full swing! And while we watch the action on our big screen TVs, some of us also want to try to relive the glory days, and we hit the hardwood after weeks, months, or even years of inactivity! One of the unfortunate outcomes is throwing out your lower back! Sound familiar? Lower back injuries, or lumbar spine injuries, are an extremely common basketball injury because of the strain we put on our spines.

One thing I’ve noticed treating the injury is that untreated pain worsens over time. No need to worry, we can fight off the ache before it even starts! Here are some of the most common back injuries.

Herniated Discs

The discs in our spine sit between the vertebrae, acting as shock absorbers. A herniated disc, or slipped disc, is when the inner, jelly-like center of a disc in the spine leaks out. For basketball players, herniated discs can come from two things, frequent injuries over time or a sudden injury on the court. If an athlete gets a herniated disc in the lower back, symptoms would include weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg or burning pain in the neck.

Prevention: To prevent a herniated disc, I always tell my patients to know and understand the basics of this injury and proper mechanics to avoid the pain. At Next Level Wellness Center, our chiropractors teach athletes proper form to avoid injury. For basketball players, it’s important to build strength in your core to protect the intervertebral discs and create an extra layer of protection of muscle.

Stress Fractures

A stress fracture occurs when an athlete’s vertebrae take on too much stress, and tiny cracks form in the bone. Repetitive movements and hyperextension can cause these fractures. With a significant increase in athletic activity and lack of proper training, stress fractures can become a big pain! I’ve seen some basketball players make career-ending decisions by continuing playing while hurt. Try to catch the symptoms and prevent the fracture from even forming.

Prevention: The symptoms include back pain and an exaggerated back arch, which might not show immediately, making the stress fractures more difficult to prevent. To avoid these injuries, athletes should cross-train and not just focus on one movement. When incorporating more advanced movements, athletes should take their time and get their bodies well adjusted.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strains occur in the lower back when an athlete does a quick and unanticipated movement, either extension or rotation, or a sustained muscle contraction that place the muscles at risk. When these muscles or ligaments in the lower back are strained or torn, inflammation occurs causing bask spasms and discomfort for the athlete.

Prevention: Focus on stretching and strengthening movements to develop the muscles around the spine. Similarly to herniated discs and stress fractures, it’s important for any athlete to understand good body mechanics on and off the court.

The most pivotal step when preventing lower back injuries in basketball is to consult with a trained doctor. At Next Level Wellness, our chiropractic team of doctors, Vasili Gatsinaris, James Kim, and Adam Abulghualya specialize in chiropractic and wellness care and are dedicated to helping you.

To learn more about our variety of services or to schedule an appointment, contact us or call

949-263-9003 today.