Back sprains - A back sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments between the vertebrae in your spine . Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another.
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Back strains - A strain is a stretching or tearing of your upper or low back muscles or tendons. People commonly call strains "pulled" muscles. Hamstring and back injuries are among the most common strains.

Postural Imbalances and dysfunction - Muscle and or structural problems stemming from poor habits such as slouching, poor lifting technique, scoliosis or a herniated disk.

Vertebral Fractures - Usually caused from accidents such as whiplash and falls, weakening of bone (osteoporosis) and overextending your low back.

Post Laminectomy - A lumbar laminectomy (open decompression) is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by neural impingement (pinched nerve). The laminectomy surgery is designed to remove a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to give the nerve root more space and a better healing environment (see Figure 1).

A laminectomy is effective to decrease pain and improve function for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a condition that primarily afflicts elderly patients, and is caused by degenerative changes that result in enlargement of the facet joints. The enlarged joints then place pressure on the nerves, and this pressure may be effectively relieved with a lumbar laminectomy.

Disc derangement - Sometimes joint and muscle dysfunctions and faulty movement patterns put strain on the discs that are positioned between the vertebrae and small tears in the disc can develop. These small tears can allow the gel that is held in the middle of the disc to seep out into these tears and irritate the nerve endings in the outer portion of the disc. This is known as disc derangement. Occasionally, but uncommonly, this gel can seep all the way out and press on one of the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord in front of the disc. This is known as disc herniation. When this happens, pain in the back as well as in the leg can develop, along with neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling and muscle weakness.

Sciatica - The term sciatica refers to the pain felt from the low back down your leg and can reach as far as your toes which can result from disk derangement syndrome, herniated disk, tight back and hip muscles.

Kieffer Physcial Therapy can evaluate and treat these injuries effectively by providing you with education, teaching you proper body mechanics, therapeutic exercises, modalities such as moist heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and massage. Consider contacting Kieffer Physical Therapy when choosing a Physical Therapist at 570-743-4000.