A muscle pull or strain can be a painful experience caused by an injury. The muscles of the lower back, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, can be pulled by heavy lifting, overstretching or sudden impacts on the body. A pulled lower back muscle can cause incapacity for weeks or even months if treatment is not consistently applied. In addition, the cause of the original muscle pull must be avoided in order to prevent further injury.
Types
Types of treatments that are generally used for a pulled lower back muscle include hot or cold compresses, rest, over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory pain relievers, exercise and chiropractic care. The choice of care depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury and the amount of disability it causes. A doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist can help you determine how to approach a pulled back muscle injury, which may involve one or several of the treatment modalities named here.
Effects
Hot compresses on the affected area will draw blood to it, helping it heal faster and relieving tight muscle fibers. If there's swelling, cold compresses can help relieve it and decrease pain. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help decrease pain and inflammation and make it easier to move around. Prescription pain relievers may be necessary if the pain from the pulled muscle is debilitating. If the muscle pull is minor or moderate however, Familydoctor.org, a website published by the American Academy of Family Physicians, suggests that light exercise may help maintain flexibility without additional injury. Finally, chiropractic care can help realign the vertebrae so that the nerves are not affected by any changes in posture due to the injury.
Time Frame
Initial treatment approaches for a pulled back muscle, according to the MayoClinic.com, should include hot or cold compresses, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin, and rest. Physical therapy is usually initiated a week after the injury, although it may take longer if the pain is still severe. If the individual is experiencing relief from the pain after a week, they can begin light exercise to stretch the muscles gently. Exercise is usually done with a physical therapist. However, light stretches can be performed at home. If the pain from a pulled lower back muscle isn't relieved by these modalities, the individual may need to seek help from either a doctor or chiropractor. The doctor may prescribe pain relievers or muscle relaxers to help the healing process. Chiropractors realign the vertebrae of the back, which can help if the individual's posture has deteriorated in response to the muscle pain.
Significance
According to the MayoClinic.com, the majority of Americans will experience lower back pain at least once. Fortunately, surgery is rarely indicated for the treatment of a pulled lower back muscle. There is however, a higher risk of reinjuring the muscle unless the initial cause of the pull is recognized. Some causes of a pulled lower back muscle include lifting improperly, poor posture when seated, sudden trauma and being out of shape. All of these are preventable and, once the injury has healed, taking steps to prevent it from happening again is the most important thing that can be done.
Expert Insight
An Australian study published in 2007 in the journal "BMC Family Practice" found that although lower back pain such as that experienced by a pulled muscle is a common injury, treatment is generally at the discretion of a general practitioner and not a specialist. They add that this suggests that the primary focus is on treating the immediate symptoms and not investigating the cause in order to prevent another injury. Patients themselves can use preventative measure for lower back care by identifying the cause of a pulled muscle and avoiding these behaviors. In addition, learning proper methods for safe lifting and pulling can help prevent further injury.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Fact Sheet: Low Back Pain Fact Sheet
- FamilyDoctor.org: Back Pain
- "BMC Family Practice"; Low back pain research priorities: a survey of primary care practitioners; Nicholas Henschke et al.; 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Sprains and strains: Lifestyle and home remedies
- Spine Health: Low Back Pain from Muscle Strain
