Almost all of us experience it at some point in our lives: going through the back. But what actually happens? Why does it happen and what can you do about it? Read here the 4 tips to prevent going through the back and what you can do if it does go wrong.

Going through the back, when does it happen?

In many cases where someone has gone through his/her back, it was during quick (and inattentive) lifting. Often when you are in a hurry or have to lift an overweight item on your own, pain can "shoot" into the back. When you build up the weight or difficulty of exercises while exercising, it still sometimes happens that the execution of the exercises deteriorates on this. This too can cause the pain to suddenly "shoot" in.

Nowadays, because of COVID, many people work at home and this also causes many back complaints. Not only acute complaints, but also long-term complaints are now common. Sitting for a long time in, say, a kitchen chair or a chair not adjusted to your desk can make your body cramp up. Then, when you suddenly get up and want to move quickly, you can also go through back strain.

What exactly happens when going through the back?

When you go through back pain, there is often acute muscle cramping that persists. This is similar to a cramp in the calf after a day of much walking or a stiff neck after a night of not sleeping well. Sometimes this cramping goes away after a few days and there is no long-term problem. In cases where it does not go away overnight, it is wise to make an appointment with your physiotherapist. To prevent the problem from getting worse, your physiotherapist can treat you and give you exercises to prevent recurring symptoms. In some cases, something else is going on and then the physiotherapist will refer you to the necessary specialist or doctor.

4 tips to avoid going through the back:

Pay attention to your posture while lifting. Try lowering your knees and lifting from your legs or supporting yourself on the floor with one knee.
While exercising, take a close look at the execution of your exercises with your partner or trainer. If necessary, work with your trainer to find substitute exercises to relieve the back.
Change your posture from time to time while working. Stand up regularly, walk around and stretch your legs.
The same goes for long standing and strolling while walking. Try to maintain an upright posture and stretch all the way up from time to time to loosen the muscles.

What can you do yourself the moment you go through the back?

It is important to keep moving as much as possible. When you adopt an abnormal posture, other parts of the body will also cramp up to relieve the back.
Often a hot shower is very pleasant to reduce muscle tension. However, this is often short-lived.
To relieve the pain briefly, you can also take a mild painkiller such as paracetamol. Only do this if you are not allergic to the ingredients or have been given a reason by the doctor not to take it.
Do exercises where you make the back supple and do not have to tighten too much to relieve some muscle tension.