Back injuries can happen to anyone and the symptoms can present in people in many different ways. The longevity of pain and restricted movement depends, not only on the general health of each person, but also on the site, cause and treatment of the damage.
An injury to any part of the back - tendons, muscles, ligaments, bones, discs – can range from causing mild discomfort to severely impacting your quality of life. That’s why it’s important to understand the sort of back injury you have, how best to treat it, and how to prevent further trauma to the area.
Sprains and Strains
Muscle and ligament sprains are the most common forms of back injury. Strains to a muscle, or groups of muscles, are actually small tears which results in swelling and spasms. These tiny tears happen when muscles are overstretched or tighten too strongly.
Back strain generally occurs after a sudden movement (twisting, bending, lifting) or unexpected use of muscles when they haven’t been warmed up. Using correct lifting techniques can help you avoid back strains or injuries.
Ruptures, fractures and dislocations
Compressed nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae can cause pain, weakness, and loss of sensation in the neck, arms, or shoulders. In older people, this is most commonly due to degenerative changes around the discs of the spine, while younger people suffer from it as a result of a rupture in a disc.
A fracture or dislocation of the spine can cause a spinal cord injury. Total immobilisation is required in the case of suspected spinal injury. A medical professional should be consulted immediately, and proper transportation should be arranged in order to reduce the risk of permanent paralysis.
Pain is your body’s way of telling you that you are injured and need to treat and rest the affected area. Many injuries can actually repair themselves, given the right treatment and proper rest.
In the case of strains and sprains, a combination, the following can be useful:
Continued severe pain, or problems with other areas of your body, such as incontinence or numbness, weakness, or paralysis in one or both limbs, suggests a medical issue which may require an X-ray, CT scan or MRI scan. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult a medical professional.
Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Important: consult a health professional in case of an injury or if you suspect overuse of joints or a medical condition such as a fracture. A physician should be consulted in those acute cases when the condition is accompanied by reddening, swelling or hyperthermia of joints, ongoing joint trouble or severe pain and/or are associated with neurological symptoms
(e.g. numbness, tingling, loss of motion).
For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on anz.consumerservices@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages.