[Instability problems of the spine in sports].

In modern competitive sports the vertebral column is increasingly subjected to maximum stress. This has led to lasting damage especially in young competitive sportsmen in whom the vertebral column had not yet developed to full maturity. Back pain can be more successfully analysed in respect of its causes by means of the additional use of the knowledge and examination methods of manual medicine. Emphasis is placed in this article on the importance of such pain as an early symptom of ligamentous instability. Therapeutic recommendations are given.