Understanding & Treating Lower Back Pain – Part 2
In our previous article, we introduced you to muscular strains in the lower back. Now, let’s delve into the topic in greater detail. In case you missed the previous article, you can find it by following this link: (insert link here).
What happens when we sprain or strain a muscle in our lower back?
When you experience your back suddenly seizing up, you’ll immediately feel intense pain. One of the first things you’ll notice is that your movement becomes severely restricted – any bending or twisting in certain ways will result in sharp pain in the affected muscle.
Depending on the severity of the strain or sprain, there may be a partial tear in the muscle, which requires a healing process. Typically, it can take around 1-2 weeks to fully recover, but there are steps you can take to expedite this process.
What should I do if I've strained my back?
We have previously discussed the importance of being mindful of mechanical loading to prevent such injuries and find long-term solutions.
However, if you are currently experiencing an injury and are in significant pain, here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Take anti-inflammatory medication and apply heat: Assuming you are a healthy individual with no adverse reactions to anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen), they can provide effective pain relief. Injured muscle tissue often experiences heightened inflammation, so reducing this inflammation will provide immediate relief. Applying heat will further relax the muscle and improve blood flow to the area, promoting faster healing. If you are uncertain, please consult your doctor, who can also prescribe alternative pain medication based on your body’s needs.
- Seek treatment: While this may be known to some, not enough people take advantage of it. A skilled massage therapist can work on your tissue and significantly alleviate pain. Soft tissue massage enhances blood flow and expedites the healing process, but more importantly, it provides immediate pain relief.
- Engage in movement: You may think that resting in bed is the best course of action, but movement is a crucial aspect of the healing process. Movement promotes blood flow and encourages muscle engagement, thereby expediting the healing process. Be mindful of the load and avoid heavy weights; instead, focus on stretching, mobility exercises, and light activities like walking, which improve the muscle’s range of motion (ROM) and increase blood flow to the affected area.
By familiarizing yourself with these two articles, you now have a better understanding of lower back muscle strains and how to alleviate them effectively.
Thank you for reading our blog post, we hope the information was helpful.
Please comment below or get in touch if you have any questions.
Disclaimer: If you are currently experiencing severe/chronic pain, then you should be consulting an allied health professional (physiotherapist/osteopath etc.)
