by Cindy Torsey

Created on: January 19, 2008   Last Updated: January 30, 2008

As a worker's compensation examiner, I have handled thousands of claims for back injuries over the years, and receive new claims for back injuries on a daily basis. In doing so, I have learned that these injuries are costly for both the employer and the employee. Employers have to cope with lost productivity and rising medical costs, and employees struggle to manage on reduced wages, while enduring painful, oftentimes debilitating injuries. The negative effects of back injuries aren't restricted to the working world. Statistics have shown that 80% of us will have at least one episode of back pain at some point in their lives.

Back injuries come in one of two forms, acute onset, or chronic back pain. Acute onset back injuries are characterized by their sudden onset. They develop very quickly with little or no warning and usually occur as a result of a specific event. Lifting heavy objects or engaging in sudden, awkward movements are often the culprits in acute onset back injuries. Even seemingly benign actions such as sneezing and coughing can trigger an episode of acute onsite back pain.

Chronic back pain, in contrast usually doesn't have a known cause as it comes on gradually without a triggering event. Repetitive movements including bending and twisting at awkward angles over a lengthy period of time often causes chronic back pain, as well as awkward postures or non-ergonomic workstations.

Although back pain onset occurs in only one of two ways, it has many possible causes including sprains, strains, bulging and herniated discs. Back pain can also result from degenerative disc disease including spondylolisthesis, and tumors including cancers. In order to definitively diagnose the cause of a patient's back pain, physicians will conduct several tests beginning with a physical examination. The doctor will palpitate the patient's back checking for tender areas to determine the exact location of the pain. A straight leg test may also be completed to see if the patient is suffering from sciatica or hip-joint disease. The physician will examine the patient's reflexes to find out if there is any nerve damage and will watch the way that the patient moves from one position to the next. At the conclusion of the physical examination, the physician may diagnose the patient as having a simple back strain.

Although relatively minor, strained muscles can cause many of the same symptoms and pain as more serious back injuries. Strains occur when a muscle or tendon is stretched

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>