Drug-Free Solutions For Athletes and Active Adults

Understanding Back Pain

Back pain is a common issue that affects people of all ages and activity levels. It can significantly impact your quality of life and performance, particularly for athletes and active individuals. If you’re suffering from back pain, it’s critical to discover the underlying cause of your pain ensuring proper treatment. Here are some of the most common causes of back pain:

• Muscle Strains: Overuse, heavy lifting, or sudden movements can lead to muscle or ligament strains. These strains can cause significant pain and stiffness, limiting your range of motion.

• Herniated Discs: The discs in your spine act as cushions between the vertebrae. When a disc bulges or ruptures, it can press on the nerves in your spine, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the back and legs.

• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis, which puts pressure on the nerves.

• Postural Problems: Poor posture, such as slouching while sitting or standing, can put additional strain on the muscles and ligaments in your back, leading to pain and discomfort over time.

• Sports Injuries: Intense physical activity, particularly in high-level athletes, can result in acute injuries such as sprains and strains or chronic conditions like stress fractures and spondylolysis. These injuries require specialized treatment to ensure a full recovery.

• Degenerative Disc Disease: This age-related condition occurs when the spinal discs lose their flexibility and ability to cushion the spine, resulting in pain and reduced mobility. Degenerative disc disease can lead to conditions like osteoarthritis, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis.

• Sciatica: This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the legs, becomes compressed or irritated. Sciatica causes sharp, shooting pain that travels down the leg, along with numbness and tingling.

• Scoliosis: An abnormal curvature of the spine, scoliosis can cause pain and discomfort, especially during periods of rapid growth in adolescence or due to degenerative changes in adulthood.

Understanding the root cause of your back pain is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan. At Sarasota Sports Medicine, our team of experts will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the underlying cause of your pain and recommend the best course of action.

Our Comprehensive Services

At Sarasota Sports Medicine, we offer a range of top-tier services to ensure you get back to peak performance:

• World Class Chiropractic Care Our chiropractic adjustments are designed to realign the spine, relieve pain, and improve mobility. By correcting spinal misalignments, we help restore proper function to the nervous system, promoting overall health and wellness.

• Class IV Laser Therapy We utilize advanced laser therapy to reduce inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, and accelerate the healing process. This non-invasive treatment is effective for reducing pain and improving recovery times for various back conditions.

• Shockwave Therapy Shockwave therapy is a state-of-the-art treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate tissue repair and treat chronic pain. It is particularly effective for conditions like tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and other chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

• Soft Tissue Mobilization Our soft tissue mobilization techniques include a variety of hands-on methods such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and deep tissue massage. These techniques help to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and enhance flexibility.

• Corrective Exercise Rehab We provide personalized corrective exercise programs that focus on deep core strengthening and stabilizing the back. These exercises are designed to correct imbalances, improve posture, and prevent future injuries. Our rehab programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient, ensuring optimal recovery and performance.

About Dr. Kaufman

Dr. Ken Kaufman is a 1993 graduate of Life University School of Chiropractic and has been in private practice in Sarasota since 1994. He is the founder of Sarasota Sports Medicine. Dr. Kaufman is the spring training Team Chiropractor for both the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburg Pirates. In addition to his active practice, Dr. Kaufman also is a member of the Professional Baseball Chiropractic Society and the Florida Chiropractic Association. He has also served as a board member of the Sarasota Area Sports Alliance and a former advisory board member for Keiser University Sports Medicine and Fitness Technology Program. He is also an approved continuing education provider for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

As an avid athlete growing up in Michigan, he competed in baseball and water skiing. Following High School graduation, he excelled in weight training, running, biking and swimming and competed in multiple marathons and triathlons up to 1/2 Ironman distance. Side-lined himself with assorted injuries over the years, the worst being multiple herniated disks and spinal stress fractures, Dr. Kaufman has a unique perspective when working with his athletes and what you want - To Get Back To Your Sports! 

As a result of his extensive experience running a successful private practice and working inside the training room of a top professional sports team, he has gained tremendous knowledge that can never be learned in a class room. Seeing the services and level of care professional athletes receive has given him a unique perspective to create a practice environment that includes the same services and programs the top pro's enjoy. One visit to our office and you'll be convinced;

"You don't have to be a pro to be treated like one!"

Why Choose Us?

• Same-Day Appointments: Get the care you need without waiting.

• All Services Under One Roof: Comprehensive care for your convenience.

• Dedicated Professional Team: Our skilled team is committed to providing extraordinary patient experiences.

• Outstanding Reputation: See our patient Google Ratings integrated throughout our website.