Chiropractors/Sacralization of L5 & S1

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 6/24/2009


Question
My 15 year old son has been lifting weights for about a year now and mainly does squats, power cleans and bench press. He recently had some mild low back pain, so we took him to a chiropractor and they x-rayed his back and found Sacralization of the L5 & S1 vertebra. How will this effect his sports abilities such as football and weightlifting. He wants to continue them both? Thanks.

Answer
Dear Jeff,

Sacralization is considered an anatomic variant of spinal development...therefore this is not a pathology but rather a congenital defect of spinal formation.  I see this often in my practice...it is a very common finding.

The bottom line here is that this is not a contraindication to sports participation, weightlifting or anything else.  It may predispose him to the possibility of having more back pain since the area has already been irritated/injured, but I would not restrict him from playing just because of this.

What I would do is make sure that he is being properly instructed on how to perform the Olympic lifts with correct form.  I don't like to see 15 year-olds doing these lifts anyway because they have open growth plates in the long bones of the body as well as the spine which can be injured with improper heavy lifting techniques.  Most coaches in high school are not trained properly to teach these lifts and very few have any personal training credentials.  If he is going to continue to complete these lifts...then he need proper instruction...

The National Strength and Conditioning Association has great videos and instructional courses...he can even learn to be a personal trainer so that he will have the personal education to protect himself.  
www.nsca-lift.org

Hope this helps....

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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