Question
I am a beginner contortionist and have recently started to do backbends. A week ago I was experiencing a pinching sensation in my middle back a little to the left of my spine? What is it and how do I treat it. I heard contortionists have a lot of back problems later on in life, how can I prevent this?

Thanks!

Answer
Lauren,

You greatly run the risk of fracturing a part of your lumbar vertebra called the pars interarticularis.    If you break the pars', then there will be pain.    If you break both left and right pars', then you run the risk of have long term spine instability and pain.   Some of these require surgical fusion/stabilization.      So you can get a better visualization of this, you need to google "Pars Interarticularis" and "spondylolisthesis from bilateral pars defect."    If you must continue as a contortionist, then consider always doing spine and core strengthening, including simple exercises that keep the back and sides of your torso strong, e.g. "bird-dog" on a gym ball, and a side plank.     Good luck with this,

Dr. G'