“Throwing your back out” is a colloquial term often used to describe some type of back pain. Typically, the term refers to general back pain, rather than a specific condition. In this article we will talk about the use of this common term, what it actually means, and how to recover from a thrown back.

How can you throw your Back Out?

There is no way to literally throw your back out. People use the term as a figure of speech. The term is often applied to sudden back pain caused by some sort of physical activity (whether by lifting something heavy, playing sports, or simply jerking your back awkwardly). The pain could be the result of several maladies, such as:

• A bulging or slipped disc
• Muscle spasms or strains
• Injury to the ligaments
• Degenerative disc disease
• Traumatic injury (for example, a car accident)

These are just a few possible underlying conditions of a thrown back. There are plenty of other possibilities that should be considered and evaluated by a skilled and experienced back physician.

How to treat a “Thrown Back”

Treatment for a thrown back will depend on the underlying cause of the pain. Unless the diagnosis is gravely serious, treatment will likely begin with conservative treatments like physical therapy, bracing, and medications to combat the pain. When those don’t work, minimally invasive surgery may be an option to correct the condition and “unthrow” your back.

Taking steps to prevent the likelihood of throwing your back can treat the problem before it rears its head. Stretching and exercising on a regular basis can greatly reduce the chances of muscle strains. Wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes and using proper lifting techniques can also help avoid this type of back pain.

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