Michael Brantley – (Lower Back Stiffness) Day to Day.
Michael Brantley was scratched from the lineup last night due to “lower back stiffness.” Brantley dealt with lower back stiffness during spring training as he didn’t take part in the agility test the first day and missed five games in late March.
Lower back stiffness can also be termed “athletic low back pain.” The stiffness comes from muscles spasms in the low back (lumbosacral) area. The spasms are usually caused by ligamentous sprains and muscular strains occurring in the region.
Sprains are ligamentous injuries that are caused by a sudden violent contraction; sudden torsion; severe direct blows or a forceful straightening from a crouched position. Strains are defined as tears, either partial or complete of the muscle-tendon unit. Muscle strains and tears most frequently result from a violent muscular contraction during an excessively forceful muscular stretch. Any posterior spinal muscle and its associated tendon can be involved in athletic low-back pain.
The injury probably occurred early in camp and the symptoms finally showed themselves days later. These type of muscle strains are common after the athlete does not involve himself in baseball specific drills during the off season. Baseball is a sudden start and stop sport and require explosive-type movements to play well. Occasionally, those movements result is strains.
Conservative treatment should be used to treat Brantley. Ice should be used to combat potential swelling which can be caused from the spasms.
A gradual, progressive, pain-free, strength and stretching program that includes flexion and extension is recommended.
Expect Brantley to remain day-to-day to see how his back feels once in Cleveland. The colder weather will have a negative impact on the muscles as they are less elastic in the cold. They will tighten up faster if not properly rested.
No reason to rush Brantley back especially this early in the season.
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