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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: back spasm + back spasms + back  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Bleacher Report Rivera sidelined with back spasms Newsday, NY - Aug 4, 2008 He wasn't warming up in the bottom of the eighth, either, as the Yankees took the lead back. Rivera downplayed the back spasm that kept him sidelined ... Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera unavailable because of back spasms The Canadian Press Injury roundup: Rivera has back spasms SportingNews.com Rivera unavailable with back spasms National Post MLB.com - New York Daily News all 37 news articles » Houston Chronicle TEXANS NOTES DT Johnson, OL Winston get in scuffle Houston Chronicle, United States - Brown was well enough to practice in the afternoon, and Kubiak is hopeful the back spasms that have plagued the running back are behind him. ... Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says back is better, ready to pitch The Canadian Press,  Texas - Rivera had not been available Sunday in a 14-9 win over the Los Angeles Angels because of back spasms. About 45 minutes before the game on Monday night, ... For Giese, Homecoming Includes Spot in the Rotation New York Times Rasner's Spot Appears In Jeopardy Hartford Courant all 45 news articles » Marriott could be hurting Ellis Dallas Morning News, TX - After sitting out of team drills the last five practices, linebacker Greg Ellis got back in the mix today during the morning workout. Ellis said back spasms ... Dallas Cowboys' Ellis returns to practice Dallas Morning News all 3 news articles »  KUL:SHANG - BAK:SHANG Chicago Daily Herald What's right is right for Bears Chicago Sun-Times, United States - He said the injury isn't back spasms but rather a muscular issue that isn't serious -- though it's serious enough to stretch into a second week, ... Bottom line: He's out Chicago Tribune First-round pick Williams still in line limbo Southtown Star all 15 news articles » Washington Post Back-to-back homers by Johnson, Soriano lift Cubs The Associated Press - Aug 3, 2008 IF Freddy Sanchez, who has missed the past five games with back spasms, took batting practice Sunday and could be back in the starting lineup on Monday. Cubs come back, top Pirates Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Lilly, Cubs shut down Pirates Sports Network Piniella's strategy leads Cubs to win over Pirates nwitimes.com Sports Network - Sports Network all 509 news articles » Washington Post Wood's return hinges on move Chicago Sun-Times, United States - ... the end of July at Class A Daytona, has headed back to the minor-league DL after a recurrence of the back spasms that sidelined him earlier this season. ... MLB Notebook: Wood anxious to return, will start in middle relief Pittsburgh Post Gazette Soriano starts third DL stint Online Athens all 371 news articles » Seattle Post Intelligencer RANGERS 9, YANKEES 5: Yankees really get slammed Newsday, NY - ... straight days - was available in an emergency. Girardi would not have turned to Mariano Rivera, who said he felt fine but experienced back spasms Sunday. Shoulder, Not Loss, Is Yanks? Worry New York Times Damaso Marte Blows It For Yanks, Joba Exits With Injury Bleacher Report Grand slam in 9th foils New York Yankees; Joba Chamberlain leaves ... NJ.com The Associated Press - Newsday all 546 news articles » Russell looking for right batting order MLB.com - With Sanchez returning after missing a week recovering from back spasms, Russell penciled the second baseman into the leadoff spot, more out of necessity ... Rivera sidelined by back RotoTimes.com - Aug 3, 2008 Mariano Rivera was unavailable on Sunday because of back spasms, according to the Associated Press. Rivera doesn't believe the injury is serious and hopes ...

Back Spasm

A spasm is a spontaneous, abnormal contraction of a muscle. When it occurs in the back near the spinal cord or the nerve roots, it can be very painful.

The patient feels a sudden pain in the lower back while twisting, pushing or pulling. At first, it may be possible to continue the exercise. But after two to three hours, bleeding in the muscles stretches the torn muscle and tendons.

The spasm that results causes severe back pain that gets worse with any movement of the back. The patient usually prefers to lie still, curled up with the knees bent and the spine arched forward.

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Spasms happen often when a muscle is swollen and tender (inflamed) or strained. Any great force can tear the muscles and tendons of the lower back. This occurs commonly in sports like weight lifting, football, basketball, baseball or golf that require pushing or pulling or sudden twisting of the back.

The risk of back spasm goes up if you have:

• A pelvis that tips forward more than normal
• Any back weakness such as arthritis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, disk rupture, spinal stenosis or a tumor
  
• Lordosis
• Tight hamstrings, the tendons that run down the back of the legs
• Weak or inflexible muscles along the spine
• Weak stomach muscles

A doctor will take the patient's medical history and do a physical examination. The exam may show tenderness at a specific point or a general spasm and tenderness in the back that gets worse with any movement, especially bending forward.

Point tenderness on the spine with more pain when the spine is extended should be checked for fracture.

As soon as possible after the injury, the patient should be treated with rest, ice and compression.

Often conservative treatment is tried first. This includes muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medicine, pain management (injections) or chiropractic care.

Lordosis increases stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the back. How much depends on the tilt of the pelvis. Once healing begins, most patients benefit from exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles and to stretch and strengthen back muscles to restore flexibility.