eSports & Gaming - How to Help Low Back Pain00Do you sit all day while gaming? Do you have low back pain from sitting? You must take care of this pain!
Low back muscle strains happen when there is an overload of poorly conditioned tissues, leading to mild structural damage to the tissue which brings on pain, inflammation, loss of motion and difficulty with tasks such as sitting, standing, bending, lifting and squatting. While these tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc.) will heal with time, the first 24-72 hours can be particularly challenging. Your body has amazing abilities for adaptation to pain with movement, but during this initial period it is advisable to reduce activity and modify movement to allow for maximum recovery. Rarely ever is complete bed rest called for; instead, be selective with how you move and increase your rest, but don’t lay in bed for a prolonged period as the de-conditioning you’ll experience will often be worse than the effects of moving with some back pain.
Back pain is complicated, and in the event that you aren’t feeling an improvement in symptoms after a week, it’s best to check in with a healthcare provider as there may be something more than a muscle strain present.
[Mechanism of Injury + Affected Tissues]
Most low back pain injuries are mechanical in nature. In other cases, there are a majority of low back pain injuries that are associated with spondylosis (degeneration of the spine associated with normal wear & tear that occurs in the discs, bones, & joints of the spine as people age)
Some examples of mechanical causes of low back pain may include:
Sprain and strains (most cases of low back pain) – may occur from poor sitting posture, prolonged sitting, overstretching or poor form with movement. May cause muscle spasm around the lower back
Traumatic injury – may injure ligaments, tendon or muscles that surround the spine or even future the intervertebral disc
Herniations or bulging discs – intervertebral discs become compressed or bulge. May lead to radicular or referring pain
Radiculopathy – can be caused by inflammation or injury to a spinal nerve root. Results in shooting, numbness, or tingling pain that moves or radiates along the pathway of the nerve. Radicular pain may also be caused by a tumor or cyst that presses on the nerve.”Sciatica” or sciatica nerve pain is a common form of radiculopathy. Sciatica results from compression of the nerve that travels through your butt and may cause a burning or shooting pain down the leg
Stenosis – narrowing of the spinal column that may result in pressure on the spinal cord leading to numbness or weakness in the lower extremity
Spondylolisthesis – when the vertebrae slips out of place irritating the nerves that exit the spinal column
Spine abnormalities – such as scoliosis or lordosis or other congenital abnormalities
Low back pain may also be related to other underlying conditions such as infections, cauda equina syndrome, tumors, inflammatory disease, fibromyalgia, kidney stones, abdominal aortic aneurysms, osteoporosis, and/ or endometriosis.
[Treatment]
While there are many different types of low back pain, the underlying principles of treatment are pretty much the same. You want to avoid movements that are painful, while encouraging those that are not. Don’t stop moving, just move more intelligently. Reduce loading where necessary. If you are sitting for long periods of time (while gaming), get up whenever you can and walk around.
When your pain does start to decrease, it’s important that you work to regain your mobility, strength and ensure that your movement patterns are free of compensation.
This is especially true after a muscle strain, because you may notice that you have started to move differently as your body naturally tries to reduce pain.
The exercises in our program are mainly targeted towards recovery from a lumbar muscle strain. If it’s related to trauma or discogenic, the approach may differ.
[Healing Timeline]
There really is no timeline for low back pain healing. It is completely dependent on the cause of the injury and the treatment associated with the injury. No matter how fast it takes you to feel better, the overall goal is to create a more durable body so the pain does not come back.
[Stats]
Worldwide, back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing many people from engaging in work as well as other everyday activities.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.
Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country.
Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives.
Back pain can affect people of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly.
Back pain is the third most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, behind skin disorders and osteoarthritis/joint disorders.
Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
Most people with low back pain recover, however recurrence is common and for a small percentage of people the condition will become chronic and disabling.
Worldwide, years lived with disability caused by low back pain have increased by 54% between 1990 and 2015.
Low-back pain costs Americans at least $50 billion in health care costs each year—add in lost wages and decreased productivity and that figure easily rises to more than $100 billion.
*This does not constitute medical advice. If you have pain or injury please consult a medical profession in person.
Do you sit all day while gaming? Do you have low back pain from sitting? You must take care of this pain!
Low back muscle strains happen when there is an overload of poorly conditioned tissues, leading mild structural damage to the tissue which brings on pain, inflammation, loss of motion and difficulty with tasks such as sitting, standing, bending, lifting and squatting. While these tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc.) will heal with time, the first 24-72 hours can be particularly challenging. Your body has amazing abilities for adaptation to pain with movement, but during this initial period it is advisable to reduce activity and modify movement to allow for maximum recovery. Rarely ever is complete bed rest called for; instead, be selective with how you move and increase your rest, but don’t lay in bed for a prolonged period as the de-conditioning you’ll experience will often be worse than the effects of moving with some back pain.
*This does not constitute medical advice. If you have pain or injury please consult a medical profession in person.*
About Bespoke Performance
Bespoke Performance
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What is Bespoke Treatments? REFINING THE PHYSICAL THERAPY EXPERIENCE
At Bespoke Treatments we are changing the way people think about and experience physical therapy & performance training. Bespoke’s treatment concept is hand crafted, personal and tailored to stand apart from existing models. Generic treatment protocols, crowded appointments and impersonal attention are out; engaging, personalized and results oriented treatments are in.
Bespoke is fast becoming the the go to bi-costal physical therapy destination for the rehabilitative and performance needs of athletes and discerning individuals. Experience is in the details so every moment at Bespoke is considered. Your Treatments are personal, created for you and your body to perform at your best. We believe in empowering our community to move better, feel their best and live life without limits.
What is Bespoke Treatments? REFINING THE PHYSICAL THERAPY EXPERIENCE
At Bespoke Treatments we are changing the way people think about and experience physical therapy & performance training. Bespoke’s treatment concept is hand crafted, personal and tailored to stand apart from existing models. Generic treatment protocols, crowded appointments and impersonal attention are out; engaging, personalized and results oriented treatments are in.
Bespoke is fast becoming the the go to bi-costal physical therapy destination for the rehabilitative and performance needs of athletes and discerning individuals. Experience is in the details so every moment at Bespoke is considered. Your Treatments are personal, created for you and your body to perform at your best. We believe in empowering our community to move better, feel their best and live life without limits.
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