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The Lower Back
The lumbar spine is also frequently injured, but the mechanism differs from the above. As the torso and pelvis move forward the pelvis is stopped by the lap belt. However, the torso continues to move forward which producing a shearing force in the lumbar spine. These injuries often result in lumbar disc injuries.
Pain Sources
Spinal injuries can damage a number of pain sensitive structures located in the spinal region. When these tissues are injured, pain is experienced. Damage to these structures also results in tissue inflammation, edema, microscopic hemorrhage, and the release of noxious chemicals such as histamine, prostaglandins, substance P, and kinins which further hypersensitize already painful and injured tissues. In addition, when spinal injury occurs spinal muscles often reflexively spasm to protect the area from further injury - whether or not the muscles are injured. This spasming can lead to muscle ischemia (lack of oxygen) due to increased energy demands.
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