Causes of back pain after using a trampoline

Causes of back pain after using a trampoline

Internet forums are full of questions about the connection between back pain and trampoline use. There are many different types of injuries that can occur when jumping on a trampoline, from pulled muscles to head injuries. The following types of injuries can cause back pain.

Muscle strain

Back pain after trampoline can be caused by muscle tension. Jumping on a trampoline works the muscles in the legs, pelvis and back, especially the stabilizer muscles. Stabilizer muscles protect the spine; They intervene before you perform an activity and support the spine against harmful compression. Ideally, this support protects discs and joints by keeping the spine aligned and absorbing some of the impact placed on the body by movements such as jumping up and down.

If your stabilizer muscles are weak, they are likely being strained (or “pulled”) by the trampoline. Tight muscles suffer from small tears that usually heal within three days. Localized inflammation causes pain, swelling and tenderness to touch. A pulled muscle also hurts when used. Because the back muscles are used in almost every movement, they can cause significant pain when pulled and may take a little longer to heal.

It's especially easy to strain the stabilizer muscles when you have an awkward or uncontrolled movement on a trampoline. As mentioned above, stabilizers intervene before movement to protect the spine. When a movement occurs unexpectedly, your body doesn't have time to prepare. The stabilizers suddenly tighten to protect the spine at the last second. This sudden tension can lead to muscle tension.

Trampolining is generally considered a leisure activity, but it is also exercise. Therefore, it is important to warm up with dynamic stretches before jumping and cool down with static stretches after jumping. It's a good idea to develop core strength before spending long periods of time on a trampoline. Stronger muscles are less stressed.

Spinal injury

It can also result in a more serious injury to the spine. This is especially a problem if you have fallen off the trampoline, hit the side of the trampoline, or already have a degenerative spine problem.

Falling from a trampoline can cause a dislocation of the spinal joint (subluxation) or a vertebral fracture. These can occur in spinal segments from the lower back to the neck, although subluxation in the thoracic spine is less common. Symptoms of a subluxation include pain, tenderness and pain in the affected segment, muscle spasms, stiffness and weakness in the area, reduced mobility of the spine and/or pain, weakness or numbness in the extremities. Vertebral fractures cause sudden and severe pain that is worsened by standing, walking, bending, and twisting. If you or your child experience any of these symptoms after an awkward landing or fall on the trampoline, seek medical attention.

The jarring associated with jumping on a trampoline can worsen pre-existing disc degeneration. The discs absorb shock between the vertebrae. When a disc becomes worn, bulging, or herniated, it cannot cushion the bones around it. Herniated or bulging discs can compress nerves as they exit the spine, causing pain, numbness and weakness along the nerve path into an arm or leg. Jumping on a trampoline can cause asymptomatic disc abnormalities to become symptomatic or worsen pre-existing symptoms. Although younger people can experience disc wear, it is more of a problem for people over 30.

The injuries mentioned above are not the only problems associated with trampolines. Statistics about serious injuries, mostly caused by children, have led the American Academy of Pediatrics to call for a ban on trampolines for backyard use. For a list of statistics and other types of injuries, see http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/Article/Bouncing-Back-Treating-Trampoline-Injuries.aspx.

If you want to take the risk of using a trampoline, make sure that all children using the trampoline are supervised and follow basic safety guidelines at http://www.livestrong.com/article/134355-trampoline-safety-rules/.

Inspired by Amee LaTour