What is a back ligament injury?
A ligament is a fibrous band of tissue that supports your joints and connects bone to bone. In your back, it limits the amount of movement available at each level of your spine. Ligament injuries are referred to as sprains. A sprain occurs when these bands of tissue are overstretched or torn. Sprains can range from being mild to severe.
What causes a back ligament injury?
Back ligament injuries (back sprains) can be caused by:
- Sudden impact - falls or car accidents
- Quick or repetitive twisting movements
- Poor lifting techniques
- Lack of flexibility
Above: Ligament injuries can be treated through pilate style exercises.What are the symptoms of a back ligament injury?
The main symptom of a back ligament injury (muscle sprains) is pain.
- Pain that increases over days since the initial injury
- Pain that may radiate - down into your buttocks (but not into your legs)
- Pain that increases during activity
- Pain that eases when you rest
- You may also have swelling in your back, or experience muscle spasms.
How is a back ligament injury Diagnosed?
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you can seek help and diagnosis from one of our specialist physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio, your local doctor, or accident and emergency. In some cases a MRI or x-ray may be required to confirm which ligament has been affected.
For further information about how Physiotherapy can help treat back ligament injuries, or to book yourself an appointment, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on 0151 558 0077.
What would a physiotherapy assessment for a back ligament injury involve?
Your first appointment at Liverpool Physio would include a comprehensive assessment divided into two parts:
Subjective
The first part would consist of a conversation about the cause of your symptoms, what makes them better and worse, if you are taking any medication, how your symptoms are impacting your lifestyle and information about any previous injuries you have had.
Objective
This would be followed by an assessment of your current pain, range of movement in your back, areas of tenderness in your back, spine flexibility if appropriate and a series of special tests to rule out other conditions.
What would physiotherapy treatment for a back ligament injury involve?
At Liverpool Physio, Our physiotherapists can use a range of treatments to try to resolve your back pain resulting from a ligament injury (sprain):
- Spine mobilisations
- Massage
- Exercises for strengthening
- Stretches
- Ice treatments
- Heat treatments
- Electrotherapy - for pain relief
- Advice on activity modification
- Advice on pain relief
- Postural advice
Our specialist physiotherapists care, and will do everything to ensure that your treatment sessions are personalised to your interests in aim of getting you back to your normal activity and movement.
How can I arrange a physiotherapy assessment a back ligament injury?
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your back, our physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio can help.
You can contact us directly to arrange an assessment and we can advise you if further treatment is recommended, or give you details on self-management for minor cases. To arrange an appointment please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or call 0151 558 0077.
Summary
Back ligament injuries can cause discomfort and pain which may impact your day to day activities. At Liverpool Physio, our physiotherapists have experience and will use their knowledge to provide you with the correct diagnosis, and appropriate treatment for your injury.
For further information about how Physiotherapy can help treat back ligament injuries, or to book yourself an appointment, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on0151 558 0077.
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