Sports Medicine
Common Injuries among bodybuilders and powerlifters
The most common injuries are with the shoulders, then the lower back. The most common shoulder injury is the barbell bench press subscapularis myofasciitis. This is a dysfunction of the largest rotator cuff muscle, the subscapularis, which stabilizes the shoulder as you are lowering the barbell. Myofasciitis is a general term used to describe pain or other dysfunctions in the network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments and other soft connective tissue that holds our bodies together. Myofascial pain may start abruptly or gradually. Abrupt onset is usually the result of trauma to the muscle, such as a sudden overload or overextension, while a gradual onset is due to chronic overload. The most common treatment for this injury is Active Release Therapy (ART).
The most common lower back injury is the deadlift lumbar erector myofasciitis and barbell squat lumbar facet imbrication. The lumbar erector muscles in the deadlift are usually overloaded and will spasm. Massage, ART, interferential current and acupuncture are usually the best treatments. Because the axial load in the barbell squat (the downward pressure on the spine that loads the discs and joints in the lower back) is usually very high, it can cause joint irritation and pain. The best treatment is usually a combination of acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments. Once the pain and spasm has decreased in all of these injuries, an aggressive rehab program is needed to strengthen the muscles back to their normal functional strength.
For more about injury prevention from Dr. Kinakin, click here!