Vim & Vigor - Summer 2017 - Gwinnett Medical Center - 55

3 OF BACK PAIN

COMMON CAUSES

Your back is a complicated structure that makes it vulnerable to a number of
diseases and injuries. "When caring for back pain, it's important to know the cause,"
emphasizes Scott Linacre, PA, a back pain specialist with Gwinnett Medical Center's
Back Pain Center.
Here are three common causes of back pain:
3 Sprains and strains. This is the most common cause of back pain. Injuries
to ligaments, muscles and tendons often occur when you lift something and twist
at the same time.
3 Herniated or slipped disks. This occurs when the soft tissue between your
spinal bones become compressed or misaligned. This is usually the result of wear
and tear and can cause a pinched nerve.
3 Spasms. If you lift weights, exert yourself on the job or play sports, you
can sometimes tear the muscles and tendons in your lower back, resulting in
painful spasms.

rounding of the spine, which leaves
your back to do the brunt of the work.
The same can be said for running
and jogging. As a high-impact exercise,
running can be jarring to the entire
back. Because it involves repetitive
stress and impact, conditions like
muscle strain and other forms of back
pain are compounded.

sunshine and enjoy an endorphin
boost from walking.
As an exercise that combines both
stability and flexibility, yoga is another
great form of exercise to help heal and
prevent back pain. In fact, many of the
stretches in yoga help strengthen the
core muscles, which are essential to
good posture and overall back health. n

Soothing Summer
Exercises

back, this may mean inflammation
and amplified pain.

Summer Exercise
Mistakes

The sunshine-filled days of summer
make everyone want to get outside
and be active. Unfortunately, not
all activities are created equal when
it comes to your back. While some
activities can be soothing, others may
only make back pain worse.
One example is sit-ups. This go-to,
core-strengthening exercise may actually
be one of the roughest exercises for
your back. The upward motion forces a

By staying active with the right kind
of exercises and activities, you can
accelerate healing and minimize pain.
Contrary to the popular belief that rest
is best for back pain, too much rest can
exacerbate symptoms by weakening
your muscles and slowing recovery.
One of the best forms of exercise
for back pain is swimming, or any
form of water aerobics. Not only does
swimming offer the ideal environment,
one that is supportive and resistant,
but it also supports an aerobic workout
that increases blood flow to your
back muscles.
Walking is also a great form of
exercise to strengthen and support back
health. It is low impact, it supports your
back's stability and it promotes healthy
circulation. And with the beautiful
summer weather, you can soak up the

WEBSITE

One-Stop Care
for Back Pain
The Back Pain Center at
Gwinnett Medical Center
takes all the guesswork out of
where to start and where to
get answers about back pain.
This comprehensive program
provides a streamlined process
to care for your back, making
your treatment faster and
more convenient. It's time you
get back to what you enjoy
doing. Learn more by visiting
gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/
backpain.

SUMME R 2017

55
http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/backpain
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