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Back Strain services offered in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall and Vineland, NJ
Exercise, yard work, and other physical activities stress your musculoskeletal system, increasing the risk of injuries like back strains. At Coastal Spine, with offices in Mount Laurel, Swell, Galloway, Wall Township, or Vineland New Jersey, the integrated pain management specialists offer minimally invasive back strain treatments. These treatments include physical therapy, injections, and anti-inflammatory medication. Call the nearest office to request a back strain consultation today, or make your appointment online.
Back Strain Q & A
What is back strain?
Back strain is an injury affecting the muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments that support your vertebrae, vertebral discs, and the rest of your spine.
Almost everyone strains their back at one time or another. Usually, these injuries heal with rest and changes in your activities. But if your symptoms continue or keep you from the activities you love, contact Coastal Spine for treatment.
What causes back strain?
Coastal Spine treats back strain caused by various things, including:
Overexertion
If you lift weights, play sports, or work a physically demanding job, you’re more likely to overwork specific muscles. If you fail to take breaks or warm up beforehand, you can tear or “pull” the soft tissues in your spine.
Injuries
Slips, falls, and car accidents can tear or inflame the soft tissues in your back. Without treatment, the injury will worsen, affecting your mobility and quality of life.
Poor posture
Slouching puts pressure on the muscles in your back and neck. When poor posture becomes a habit, knots form in those muscles, affecting their ability to support your spine.
Obesity
Extra weight puts more stress on your spine and surrounding tissues. Losing just a few pounds can relieve pain and improve your mobility.
How is back strain diagnosed?
Your Coastal Spine provider reviews your health charts and asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, where it’s at, and what it feels like.
They then examine your back and neck, looking for redness, bruising, and/or swelling. Your provider gently presses on your spine, pinpointing sensitive areas, and assesses your gait (the way you walk) and posture (the way you stand and sit).
If your provider suspects a more serious problem, like a fracture or herniated disc, they order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These procedures give your provider a detailed look at your vertebrae, vertebral discs, and the surrounding tissues.
How is back strain treated?
Coastal Spine treats back strain using minimally invasive treatments. These can include:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication
- Prescription muscle relaxers
- Cortisone injections to relieve pain
- Rest
- Ice and heat therapy
- Activity changes
Your provider could recommend physical therapy if you suffer a severe back strain. Physical therapy teaches you exercises to strengthen your back and core muscles. It also includes stretches that relieve pain and increase circulation.
Call the nearest Coastal Spine office today to receive treatment for a back strain, or make your appointment online.