Backspot with back pain

[jandotcom]

One of my backspot is having lower back pain.  I have told her to make sure that she's not arching her back, but that's not helping.  To me, it doesn't look like she's arching a lot - maybe a little.  Anything else I should be looking out for? 

P.S.  I coach 5th, 6th and 7th graders, and we aren't really doing anything more than extensions.  They also do a braced lib..but we're not talking a high degree of difficulty here.

[CoachErin]

Could she has possibly injured her back outside of cheer practice and is feeling the residual effects at practice due to the extra strain? If that's the case then she should have some notation of her injury from a dr. and a clearance note and all that good stuff.
If it is strictly cheer related I would look out for the "out and around" some of my girls were doing this even with straight backs. Instead of using their legs and pushing straight up when the flyer got into their hands, they used more arms/back and would move the flyer's feet out away from their body and sort of "scoop" her into position. This puts a lot of strain on your back and my bases complained too, until we fixed it.
As for a backspot, is she standing right up against the stunt? I tell my backspots to get their "ta-tas" as close to the bases as possible. If she is standing away from the stunt and reaching with only her arms that may cause some back strain, especially on cradles.
That's all I can think of, hope it helps

[RPCmme]

If a squad member has expressed some physical discomfort, be sure to document this (literally, write it down) and forward this information to your athletic trainer.  If your school doesn't have an athletic trainer, you might want to communicate with your squad member's guardians about this back problem.  Cover yourself--you don't want to aggravate an actual injury!

If you don't see much of an arch in the backspot's back, which could create some back pain, attempt to strengthen your spotter's abs.  Abdominal strength in the core can help alleviate strain on the back muscles.  Also, warming up and stretching usually focuses on the legs--perhaps additional neck, shoulder, and back stretches and exercises would help out.

Good job watching the arching of the back--preventing bad habits for the future is very proactive!

[melpv1]

Just another piece of advice: too often, when a girl goes to her family doctor with a back problem, etc., the doctor will just tell her to take a few days/weeks off of cheerleading without doing anything to really identify or alleviate the problem.  The athletic trainers, sports therapists, or certain chiropractors will really identify the problem, help rehab the injury, and show the athlete ways to stretch and strengthen the area to help prevent future injuries.

[ucaCHEERalum]

Little different story for me...my guys complain about their backs hurting all the time.

We've instituted a half hours worth of pretty intense Yoga twice a week that really works on core strength and flexibility.  At first I thought they'd hate it...now if we go a week without doing it they start to complain again.

Most people don't think of Yoga for the "conditioning" portion of practice...but with the right set of positions you'll sweat like never before.

It is a good preventative excercise AND it keeps 'em quite for longer than 2 minutes.

[Shancheer]

That's such a good idea ucaCHEEralum. We're having a physio lead a pilates class near year for our whole squad to improve core strength and flexibility which I think will be very beneficial. Hopefully my guys come along too & embrace it

[BigCheerMama]

jandotcom
Make sure when your backspot is catching that they are catching high & not waiting till waist level to catch, that pulls on the back because of the forward jerk.  Also make sure they are squatting/cushioning with the legs to absorb the catch.  After a day of stunt practice, make sure your kids are stretching their back out.  Mine lay chest/stomach on the floor, then raise full arm length up (like a pushup) at the chest while leaving the pelvis flat on the floor.  To get an even better stretch, pull feet toward the back of the head at the same time.  This seems to help my kids after a good day of stunting.

[ucaCHEERalum]

BigCheerMamma - sounds like you are doing some Yoga and you don't even know it.

Seriously folks, you should check it out.  I even get excited about Tues/Thurs practice because I know I'll get a good stretch and sleep really well.

[BigCheerMama]

There actually used to be a yoga class after school every thursday and friday quite a few years back.  Learned alot from the teacher, great lady.  Her daughter cheered for me about 7-8 years ago.  I know that the kids use a lot of their back and sometimes don't use it correctly.  On my VERY flexible kids, they usually stand with back to me, feet up against mine, put their arms back and bend stomach out.  Looks goofy and crazy but it stretches the  heck out of their back.  Also, it works better when your outside and don't want to lay on the ground. 

[coachamie]

I love yoga! I took it in college for a credit, and really enjoyed it. I've never implemented it into cheer practice though! Something to think about.