16 year old with lower back pain

[mjc681]

My sixteen year old daughter is a softball pitcher. She has been experiencing lower back strain since September. We have seen a back specialist, had a CT scan and a bone scan, with the no real answer. We were told she has no fractures (which was great news), and it's muscle strain.
We have went through physical therapy, but she still cannot pitch without pain. We are now seeing a chiropractor and doing massage therapy. Any suggestions as to what we might be missing?

[Heidi]

Hi

In all this time has she continued to pitch or has she had any prolonged periods of rest? If not, then this is what I would recommend.
If there are no problems on bone scans etc then the problem must be soft tissue. This kind of injury does require lengthy periods of rest in conjunction with treatment like she is recieving.
You may also find that if it is a repetitive problem, that it may be postural, or biomechanical (to do with her technique), so I would get both of these checked.

[coachgreywolf]

[QUOTE=mjc681;3318]My sixteen year old daughter is a softball pitcher. She has been experiencing lower back strain since September. We have seen a back specialist, had a CT scan and a bone scan, with the no real answer. We were told she has no fractures (which was great news), and it's muscle strain.
We have went through physical therapy, but she still cannot pitch without pain. We are now seeing a chiropractor and doing massage therapy. Any suggestions as to what we might be missing?[/QUOTE]

I am a high school trainer ands treat girls and boys all day. I have also endured 7 different lower back surgeries. It sounds like she has strained her Facet joints. If you put your thumbs on either side of her spine, right on top of her hip bones, you should make her jump. If this is the case, then it IS her Facet joints. First, use the RICE method. Rest....keep her off the mound for 3-6 weeks.Ice...apply ice for 20 minutes after EVERY workout. Compression-wear a quality back brace. You vcan get a $200 model froma physical therapist OR go to a discount store and get one that works just as well for less than $30. The brace will allow all her torso muscles to rest while she stands. Holding ourselves erect puts a large strain on the lower lumbar region. lastly, Elevate. This will drain the toxins ands bad blood from the injured site. Standing all day floods the injured area with blood, nutients, and oxygen. After that, it needs to be drained and resupplied with new blood. Have her put a sheet of 1/4inch plywood under her matress. A firm matress is paramount for a healthy back. She also needs to sleep in one of two positions. The best is to sleep on the back with her legs bent ata 45 degree angle. Put pillows under her knees. This will flatten the lumbar region and allow it to rest. Laying flat, you will feel the concave area in the lumbar region. Ice the area after EVERY workout for 20 minutes followed by 20 minutes of heat. The ice allows the capillaries to open up and promote blood flow to the swollen area. Heating it (always heat AFTER iceing) will then speed up the process of getting nutrients to the site. Lastly....start her on a morning, noon, and nightly stretching program. She MUST keep those muscles limber and loose. When they get tight, they WILL cause pain. Good luck, I hope some of this helps. Feel free to write and ask questions.Jeaneric84@aol.com

[ThackeG67]

[QUOTE=mjc681;3318]My sixteen year old daughter is a softball pitcher. She has been experiencing lower back strain since September. We have seen a back specialist, had a CT scan and a bone scan, with the no real answer. We were told she has no fractures (which was great news), and it's muscle strain.
We have went through physical therapy, but she still cannot pitch without pain. We are now seeing a chiropractor and doing massage therapy. Any suggestions as to what we might be missing?[/QUOTE]

Hi mjc681! I think the chiropractor can handle that problem since they are only the ones that can find effective remedies in lower back pain. Trust your chiropractor and follow all his treatment regimen.

[Freman]

Hi All,
I have started dead lifts in gym 3 months before with my gum coach advice and having pain in my lower back since last month. I have informed my coach and he said in the beginning you will experience such pains just eat well and keep practicing. Thought of taking advice through this forum. What should I do? Any thoughts?

[Heidi]

Lower back pain is not normal and you should get it checked out. It may be that by doing heavy weights you are straining the supportive structures around the spine (e.g. ligaments etc), especially if your posture is not perfect.
Other alternatives include the development of muscle imbalances including tightening of the hamstrings which can contribute to back pain.