Running is an activity enjoyed by many, and it is an excellent exercise for staying in shape. Additionally, like any exercise, running helps the body release endorphins, which helps to boost your mood naturally. However, if you are one of the many people who feel the effects of back pain after running, our team at New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates is here to provide quality treatment and care. Our specialists are well-versed in the diagnosis and treatment of back pain that can occur as a result of running. When this pain develops as a result of underlying spinal problems, our team will do everything in our power to help you recover.

BACK PAIN AFTER RUNNING

If you’re someone who lives a relatively active lifestyle, experiencing mild levels of pain now and again can be normal. However, if there is back pain present after every run, this could signify the presence of a more serious issue. Examples of underlying issues that could be present may include some of the following:

  • Hyperlordosis: Hyperlordosis is one of the most common causes of back pain.  It is the result of poor posture and is marked by an exaggerated inward curve of the spine. When the spine is not aligned correctly during a run, back pain is likely to follow. Depending on the severity of your hyperlordosis, surgery could be necessary for correction.
  • Muscle Imbalances And Weakness: When going for a run, various muscles need to work together in order to keep you moving and hold you upright. Your core, hips, glutes, and hamstrings all play a crucial role in allowing you to run without any issues. Should these areas become weak or start to develop imbalances, the muscles of your back will need to work harder to account for this deficiency. As a result, this can lead to the back muscles becoming over-exerted during a run, leaving you filled with pain at the end of the exercise.
  • Degenerative Or Herniated Discs: The spine is comprised of multiple vertebrae, with cushioning discs placed between each one to prevent friction.  However, when placed under repeated stress, such as the stress that occurs during running, these discs can begin to degenerate or be forced out of place.  As a result, the vertebrae may rub up against each other, or the nerves of the spine may become compressed or irritated. Promptly treating conditions such as these is imperative to preventing permanent damage from being sustained.

TREATMENT

Depending on the cause and severity of the back pain you experience after running, different forms of treatment are available. For patients dealing with muscle weakness and imbalances, tweaking your training regimen to compensate for this issue may be all that is needed to help you make a full recovery. However, when a problem with your spine is causing the pain, our team may recommend opting to undergo surgery to correct the complication. Depending on the dilemma at hand, the operations that can be performed may involve any of the following:

  • Lumbar microdiscectomy.
  • Lumbar laminectomy.
  • Lumbar discectomy.
  • Spinal fusions.
  • Cervical laminectomy.
  • Cervical laminoplasty.                

CONTACT THE NEW YORK ORTHOPAEDIC SPINAL ASSOCIATES 

Managing back pain on your own is burdensome, painful, and an overall inconvenience. When looking for treatment for your back pain after running, you’ll want to have a team of knowledgeable specialists in your corner that’ll help to increase the likelihood of making a full recovery considerably. At New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates, our talented and experienced team is well-versed in the causes of back pain and what needs to be done for treatment. If you’re tired of being filled with pain every time you go for a run, be sure to contact our team today. We’ll perform an in-depth assessment of your condition before informing you of the treatment option that we believe will be the most beneficial!