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Low Back Pain in Dancers and Gymnasts

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For dancers and gymnasts, low back pain can come in many forms and can involve the spine itself. Two of the most common spinal injuries are:

  1. Spondylolysis - a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis, a thin area of the vertebra that is more vulnerable to injury.

  2. Spondylolisthesis - occurs if stress fractures are on both sides of the vertabra and allow a slippage of one vertebrae over the other to occur.

Dancers and gymnasts are at a higher risk of developing these spinal injuries due to repetitive hyperextension-type movements such as back-bending. These movements put significant load on the pars interarticularis, a thin part of the vertabra that connects the main part of the vertebra at the front with the bony bits at the back.

When you combine hyperextension with forceful dismounts and landings (gymnasts, we’re talking to you), it increases the risk of both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis significantly. As more and more dancers are combining gymnastic skills into their routines, I expect to see more dancers with these conditions as well.

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A slippage of less than 50% (a Grade 1 or 2 spondylolisthesis) is often treated with physiotherapy including hands on treatment techniques and exercise. A slippage of greater than 50% (a Grade 3 or 4 spondylolisthesis) is considered more serious and usually involves the care of a specialist.

Both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis can happen at any spinal level. It most commonly occurs in the L5 vertebra, with L5 slipping forward over S1 (see the photo above). The second most common site is L4. 

What do spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis feel like?

Athletes will often complain of the following:

  • Dull pain that can be sharp with movement

  • pain with extension type movements including arabesque, bridges, back walkovers, back hand springs etc.

  • Focal pain in the low back but may radiate into the buttock or down the legs

  • Symptoms that are worse with activity and better with rest

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a thorough subjective history. If a spondylolysis or a spondylolisthesis is suspected, imaging via X-ray, CT or MRI will be ordered to confirm a diagnosis.

It is important that athletes with suspected spondylitic conditions be medically cleared before beginning an exercise program. This is crucial for the health and well being of the athlete as the wrong exercises can aggravate and worsen the injury.

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How do we treat it?

Spondylitic conditions can cause instability of the low back. Spinal stabilization through core stability training is a key component in prevention and rehabilitation in these young athletes. Often, athletes focus on the large muscles and neglect the little guys that are responsible for stabilization. Core stability training targets the little muscles that directly support the spine including the transversus abdominis, multifidi, paraspinal, and internal and external obliques.

Appropriate flexibility is also important after a spinal injury. Tightness of certain hip muscles can increase the extension of the low back which can exacerbate symptoms.

If you’re suffering from back pain, give us a call at (778) 630-800, email us or book online. 

Ladner Village Physiotherapy exists in what is colonially known as Delta, on the traditional, occupied and unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. As health care providers, we actively strive to understand the role of intergenerational trauma and health inequities applied through systemic and institutionalized racism with the goal of providing equitable and person-centred health care for all.