Spinal Injuries & Conditions Treatment

Spinal injuries and conditions that affect spinal structures can cause pain and reduce mobility. At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we specialise in spinal injuries and conditions to:

Reduce Pain

Restore Movement

Optimise Recovery

About the condition

What are spinal injuries and conditions?

Spinal injuries and conditions vary from person to person and are caused by damage to spinal structures. This often causes the affected area to become inflamed or irritated, resulting in a myriad of painful and somewhat debilitating symptoms.

There are three main spinal regions –cervical,thoracicandlumbar. Spinal structures includevertebrae,discs,joints,nerves,ligamentsandmuscle. Spinal injuries and conditions to these areas can mimic each other with similar symptoms, or occur independently of each other.

Types of Spinal Injuries and Conditions

The ways these structures may be affected and other conditions they may influence include:

Vertebrae

Discs

Joints

Nerves

Ligaments

Muscles

Spine(all regions) –fractured vertebrae,spinal kyphosis,facet joint pain, Stenosis of C/T/L, Spondylosis of C/T/L
Spine(all regions) –prolapsed/herniated discs,fractured vertebrae,spinal kyphosis,facet joint pain, Stenosis of C/T/L, Spondylosis of C/T/L,nerve root compression
Differential diagnoses(cause/affect/mimic symptoms) – Radiculopathy of C/T/L, Spondylolisthesis of C/L,osteoarthritis, posturalneck/backpain
Cervical (C) spine(neck) –wry neck,whiplash
Thoracic (T) spine(upper/mid-back) –costovertebral joint disorders,costochondritis,T4 syndrome
Lumbar (L) spine(lower back) –sacroiliac joint syndrome
Spine(all regions) –facet joint pain, Stenosis of C/T/L, Spondylosis of
C/T/L,prolapsed/herniated discs
Cervical (C) spine(neck) –wry neck,whiplash
Thoracic (T) spine(upper/mid-back) –costovertebral joint disorders,costochondritis,T4 syndrome,thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
Lumbar (L) spine(lower back) –piriformis muscle syndrome
Spine(all regions) – Radiculopathy of C/T/L, Spondylosis of C/T/L, Stenosis of
C/T/L,facet joint pain,prolapsed/herniated discs
Differential diagnoses(cause/affect/mimic symptoms) –facet joint pain, Radiculopathy of C/T/L, Spondylolisthesis of C/L,fractured vertebrae, posturalneck/backpain
Cervical (C) spine(neck) –wry neck,whiplash
Thoracic (T) spine(upper/mid-back) –costovertebral joint disorders,costochondritis,T4 syndrome, thoracicfacet joint pain
Lumbar (L) spine(lower back) –iliolumbar ligament sprain
Spine(all regions) – Radiculopathy of C/T/L, Spondylosis of C/T/L
Differential diagnoses(cause/affect/mimic symptoms) –facet joint pain, Radiculopathy of C/T/L, Spondylolisthesis of C/L,fractured vertebrae, posturalneck/backpain
Cervical (C) spine(neck) –wry neck,whiplash
Thoracic (T) spine(upper/mid-back) –thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
Lumbar (L) spine(lower back) –iliolumbar ligament sprain
Spine(all regions) –spinal muscular spasms, Stenosis of C/T/L, posturalneck/backpain
Differential diagnoses(cause/affect/mimic symptoms) –facet joint pain, Radiculopathy of C/T/L, Spondylolisthesis of C/L, posturalneck/backpain

Causes

What can cause spinal injuries and conditions?

As the type, location and severity of spinal injuries and conditions vary, as do the cause and symptoms. However, there are general risk factors which may leave you susceptible to developing or worsening a spinal condition. Age and/or gender can also influence the likelihood of diagnosis.

Some risk factors can include:

Poor sitting/standing posture
Prolonged periods of laborious activity
Repetitive or sudden rotating/bending/pushing/pulling movements
Traumatic injuries – e.g., motor vehicle accidents, falls, etc.
Muscular spasms
Lifestyle choices – e.g., minimal activity, obesity, etc.
Differential or pre-existing diagnoses of musculoskeletal conditions

Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

General symptoms of spinal injuries and conditions can include:

If the following symptoms begin suddenly they should be investigated immediately:

Pain in both the affected and/or surrounding area of injury
Muscle spasms, weakness and/or fatigue
Nerve pain (pins & needles, tingling, sharp pain, decreased sensation)
Worsened pain with movement and/or inactivity
Reduced range of movement
Poor stability, balance and spinal strength
Swelling and inflammation
Co-morbid or differential diagnoses of musculoskeletal injuries/conditions
Numbness in the saddle region (the area that would touch a saddle when riding)
bilateral numbness or weakness in the legs
Urinary or bowel issues, sudden incontinence or retention

Treatment

Treatment for Spinal Injuries and Conditions

If you are experiencing pain in your neck or back, it is important that you see a medical professional to rule out any differential diagnoses of cardiac or other serious conditions. You may be referred for scans to accurately determine diagnosis.

Physical therapy is greatly beneficial at restoring movement, reducing pain and promoting healing. At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we tailor a unique treatment plan to aid in your recovery through:

Your physiotherapist may also advise heat or ice application, rest and if necessary, pain medication. Additionally, they might recommend for you to use spinal support (braces),custom foot orthotics,supportive footwear, or a suitable pillow.

Soft tissue mobilisations (massage)
Stretching exercises
Restoring range of movement
Postural improvement
Shockwave therapy
Dry needling
Taping
TENS treatment
Pre- & Post-Surgery rehabilitation
A unique home exercise program
Graded Exposure to load program

Need Help?

Are you in pain caused by a spinal injury or condition? Contact Vitalis Physiotherapy now to book in your treatment. Call our friendly team on 0410 559 856. We’d love to help.

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