Lower back pain in the athlete: Common conditions and treatment

Low back pain is a common presenting complaint for the general population. A majority of the active population also experience back pain at some time in life. The athletic population, by virtue of higher level of demands, may be at increased risk of low back problems. Certain sports may be at increased risk compared with others. Low back pain is common in athletes. Estimates of prevalence range from 1 % to more than 30% [1,2]. Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed playing time in professionals athletes [1], yet prevalence among recreational athletes is not well known. Although back problems may be most common on the elite level and diagnosis can be difficult, overall outcomes have been shown to be quite good. Most low back pain in athletes is self-limited [1]. An actual pain generator is not always found [1]. Several risk factors have been evaluated in relation to lower back pain in athletes [1]. Lumbar flexibility intuitively should affect back pain; however, flexibility of the lumbar spine has been shown to have no correlation with low back pain. Hamstring flexibility also has been implicated in contributing to low back injury and pain, by virtue of rotating the pelvis posterior and limiting forward flexion of the low back. Hamstring tightness is associated with spondylolysis in particular.