Personal doctor explains Anderson Silva's lower back pain

UBERLANDIA, Brazil - News that Anderson Silva was hobbled by severe back pain during a jiu-jitsu session may have caused some concern among fight fans. But the former UFC middleweight champion will resume training in just over a week, and he remains on schedule for his Jan. 31, 2015 fight against Nick Diaz at UFC 183, his personal doctor told UFC.com.br.

In an exclusive interview, Silva’s coaches and the Brazilian Athletic Commission doctor, Dr. Marcio Tannure, said the training incident that sent Silva to a Rio de Janeiro hospital for an exam and treatment is not serious, and will not jeopardize his five-round return bout against Diaz.

Silva, 39, has battled numerous injuries throughout his UFC and MMA career. The discomfort he experienced in his lower back on Monday night is not related to the surgery Silva underwent to repair a leg fracture sustained during a fight against Chris Weidman in Dec. 2013, Dr. Tannure said.

"He has felt this pain before. It has nothing to do with the surgery.” Tannure said.

This type of lower back pain is known as lumbago, and is common in contact sports athletes – NFL players, for example, routinely experience symptoms of lumbago. Rest, therapy, muscle strengthening exercises and anti-inflammatory medications often alleviate the discomfort and stiffness.

According to Tannure, the recovery is simple and "The Spider" can resume his normal training sessions within 10-15 days. Meanwhile, he is taking anti-inflammatory medication and undergoing physiotherapy.

"Strengthening and balance of the muscles are the best prevention for this type of problem, along with reducing the training intensity," Tannure said.

A few of Silva's coaches, who preferred not to be identified, were surprised by the media attention the fighter’s back ailment has received.

"He just felt a normal pain; we did not understand the proportion it took," one coach told UFC.com.br. “The pain can return, as he has already felt it before. But it is not going to harm his career. "