Episode Details

Her X-ray was clean. Her MRI was clean. Her back still hurt.

If your athlete's low back hurts every time she arches or lands, the first thing most of us say is "go stretch it out." But tumbling back pain usually doesn't start in the back. In this episode, I share the story of an athlete whose back took the hit for her upper back, her shoulders, her hamstrings and her landings, and why she never fully made it back to competing.

This one is for coaches, and for the parents listening too.

In this episode:

• Why the low back ends up doing most of the work in a back walkover or back handspring
• What a "broken back" (spondylolysis) is, and why a clean scan doesn't mean she's cleared
• Why stretching her back won't fix it, and what she needs instead
• 4 things coaches can start at the next practice: ask, watch for the rainbow vs. the hinge, listen to the landing, and build it into practice
• 3 exercises I used with my athlete: toe-touch progression, open books and inchworms
• WFhen to modify practice, and when to send her to a PT or doctor
• How long it really takes to get back after a stress fracture

Mentioned in this episode:

• FREE Warm-Ups for Cheerleaders (PDF + YouTube playlist):

• Join the free Facebook group, Mat Ready Cheer Athletes With The Cheer PT
• Connect with Laura: https://LTTheCheerPT.com
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Research and resources referenced:

• Tilley D. Back Pain in Gymnastics – A Complete Guide. SHIFT Movement Science, 2022. https://shiftmovementscience.com/gymnasticsbackpainguide/
• MacLean K. Flexibility in Gymnastics: Ways to Decrease Stress in the Low Back. Coury & Buehler Physical Therapy, 2015. https://cbphysicaltherapy.com/flexibility-in-gymnastics-ways-to-decrease-stress-in-the-low-back/
• Hackney T. Treating a Broken Back in Tumbling Athletes. Athletico, 2024. https://www.athletico.com/2024/07/31/treating-a-broken-back-in-tumbling-athletes/
• Jackson DW, et al. Spondylolysis in the female gymnast. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1976.
• Mohile NV, et al. A Review of Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2022. https://www.jabfm.org/content/jabfp/35/6/1204.full.pdf
• Masci L, et al. Use of the one-legged hyperextension test and MRI in the diagnosis of active spondylolysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2006;40(11):940. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/11/940
• Grazina R, et al. Return to play after conservative treatment in athletes with symptomatic spondylolysis: a systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2019.
• Afonso J, et al. Strength training versus stretching for improving range of motion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare. 2021.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If your athlete has pain, see a physical therapist or healthcare provider.