Experiencing persistent discomfort or pain in your back due to sports activities? Discover the appropriate moments to consult a physician.

Stepping onto the field or hitting the gym means you're puts yourself at risk for injuries, and back injuries are among the most common, whether you're a professional athlete or a weekend warrior.

Got a question about back injuries? Cleveland Clinic's spine health expert, Kush Goyal, MD, is here to help. About 90% of these injuries will improve on their own in about three months, but sometimes they can be more serious and require a doctor's care.

The types of back injuries you might encounter can vary depending on the sport you're playing. Here are some of the most common injuries:

1. Cervical (neck) injuries, such as 'stingers', which are common in football and involve transient unilateral numbness or tingling in the shoulder due to a stretching or compressing of the cervical nerve roots.

If you experience a 'stinger' on the field, it should resolve quickly. If it doesn't, immediate medical attention is essential.

2. Lumbar (lower back) sprains and strains can occur when you try to lift too much weight, or if you use improper technique when lifting. These injuries usually resolve on their own, and you might not even need a doctor to evaluate them further.

"For minor lower back pain, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naprosyn can help," suggests Dr. Goyal.

3. Fractures or injuries to the spine's supporting structures are common in sports that involve repetitive extension movements, such as volleyball, gymnastics, diving, cheerleading, or dance. These typically occur as spine stress fractures, a crack in the bony rear portion of the spinal column called pars interarticularis.

Spine stress fractures are often diagnosed with an x-ray or CAT scan and are usually treated with a back brace and rest. In some cases, these injuries may require more aggressive treatment.

Warning signs and red flags

If you've injured yourself in sports or during a workout and you're feeling pain, it can be hard to know when to see a doctor. Here are some warning signs that you should get further evaluation:

Your back pain gets progressively worse.
The pain radiates to your leg(s) or causes weakness.
You experience bladder or bowel changes.
Your pain affects your balance or walking.
Your pain persists for more than two months.

Remember to stay active and avoid prolonged inactivity to prevent weakening of the muscles and supporting structures in your back, which can lead to persistent pain.

Back injury prevention

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risk of suffering a serious back injury. Here are some strategies:

Strengthen your core.
Use proper form and technique when lifting or performing.
Warm up and stretch before working out or playing sports.
Get plenty of sleep.
Maintain your ideal body weight.

Playing sports is an excellent way to stay fit and mentally healthy. Don't let a back injury keep you out of the game!

[1] Petersen, K., & Kiesel, L. C. (2016). Spinal profiling in athletes: Musculoskeletal examination. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(11), 2029-2036.

[2] Knochel, J. P., & Fuchs, B. A. (2020). Prevention and rehabilitation considerations for spondylolysis, lumbar stress fractures and spondylolisthesis in athletes. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 60(1), 89-97.

[3] Verzani, J. A., & Bompressor, B. M. (2017). Spine intervention in sports medicine. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 157(3), 431-439.

[4] Moreira, R. Q., Miguez, R., & Eicher, R. M. (2015). The use of shockwave therapy in sports medicine. Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil), 70(5), 445-450.

[5] Hodges, P. W., & Gandevia, S. C. (2001). The activation of lumbar multifidus during movement, after spinal manipulation, and during sustained loading. Spine, 26(14), 1448-1454.

Engaging in sports, including football, volleyball, gymnastics, and dance, can lead to a variety of back injuries such as cervical (neck) injuries, lumbar (lower back) sprains and strains, and fractures or injuries to the spine's supporting structures.
It's essential to take precautions to prevent serious back injuries. This includes strengthening your core, using proper form and technique when lifting, warming up and stretching before workouts or sports, getting plenty of sleep, maintaining your ideal body weight, and seeking immediate medical attention if you experience warning signs such as worsening back pain, radiating pain to your legs, weakness, bladder or bowel changes, or significant balance issues.

Experiencing persistent discomfort or pain in your back due to sports activities? Discover the appropriate moments to consult a physician.