Back, Shoulder & Spine

Preventing Back Pain In Children: Parents Can Help Kids Develop Healthy Spine Habits

Heavy school backpacks, lack of physical activity, and poor posture are all things that can contribute to back pain, so as children head back to school, here are some tips from a top orthopedic surgeon on how parents can help prevent their child from developing back pain.

The Empire (Of Moms) Strikes Back - The Benefits Of Yoga In Recovering From A Sports-Related Back Injury (Part IV)

Six months ago my son was complaining about persistent back pain. He ended up being diagnosed with two small fractures in his lower back at the L-3 vertabrae. The pain and startling realization finally set in that his spring and summer sports activities would not happen. I remember standing in a hospital hallway feeling like a riptide had swept over me. I could not breathe. I could not think. I was consumed with how and why this injury had occurred. My son was beside himself with grief and a fear of the unknown: would he be ready to go in the fall for his beloved sport of football?   

In the latest chapter in her ongoing series of blogs chronicling her son's recovery from a stress fracture in his back, a Texas mom discovers that football players, from the National Football League on down - can benefit from yoga.

The Plank And The World Cup: Recovering from A Sports-Related Back Injury (Part III)


The end of June and first part of July became an exceptionally busy time at our house, juggling the final stretch of Physical Therapy for our son while trying to watch every second of the soccer World Cup coverage! Lucky for us, the Physical Therapy gym is well equipped with TV monitors, all tuned in to sports! Physical therapy

A Texas football mom and her son juggle his final stretch of physical therapy after a stress fracture of his back with watching the Team USA in the FIFA World Cup.

Back in Action, If Not In The Game: A Halftime Report On A Teenager's Recovery From A Stress Fracture Of His Spine

First, a thank you

In my last blog I wrote about my son's back injury and the start of physical therapy, but before I report on his progress, I want to extend a special thank you to everyone who contacted me after reading my blog post. My intuition told me that the fractured spine he suffered is an injury that has affected many other youth athletes and families. I was completely overwhelmed by the number of people who called, emailed, IM'd, commented on the blog site, or ran me down (figuratively, at least) in the grocery store to ask about my son. Thank you all so much.

After suffering a stress fracture of his lumbar spine, a 13-year-old Texas football player begins rehabbing his injury with rigorous physical therapy. His mom provides a halftime report from the sideline.

If Your Teen Has Back Pain That Won't Go Away, See A Doctor!

 

As we head into the last month of the school year (at least for some of us), parents start asking each other, "Hey, what is your kid doing this summer? ("Translation for non-Texans: "What sports is your child playing this summer?")

As lots of sports parents know, summer does not always mean fun and hanging out by the swimming pool anymore. In this deeply sports-obsessed state, there is no off-season. Ever! Middle school football running back breaking tackle

When her 13-year-old son came home each day from track practice complaining of back pain, a Texas mom thought the pain wasn't anything to worry about. Turns out the pain was a red flag about a serious injury.

High Rate of Lower Back Injuries Reported in Young Athletes

Lower back injuries are the third most common injuries suffered in athletes under age 18, with many injuries severe enough to sideline young athletes for one-to-six months, and put them at future risk for long-term back problems.

Mid-Back Pain Can Affect Athletic Performance

When people think of back pain in athletes, they mosty think of pain in the neck or lower back. As a result, the middle part of the spine, called the thoracic spine, is commonly overlooked. But just as other regions of the back, the mid-spine can negatively impact a young athlete's performance and risk of injury.

Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Matter of Anatomy?

Shoulder injuries and pain are common in a variety of sports. Whether it is in throwing a pass in football or a pitch in baseball, athletes need tremendous shoulder strength and coordination to achieve athletic excellence. But the constant strain and pressure on the shoulder often leads to irritation and can result in an overuse injury.

Is Your Child's Coach Committing an Athletic Felony?

Much has been written lately about the emotional damage coaches can do to youth athletes.

Coaches who selfishly overuse and physically push athletes too far for the benefit of the team's win-loss record or their own ego are committing an athletic felony.

Youth Volleyball: Back Pain Common But Preventable

Young volleyball players are prone to lower back pain and injuries.  A physical therapist lists the warning signs of a potentially serious back problem and offers tips for keeping players on the court and back-pain free. 

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