how to treatment of lower back muscle

What are the best remedies for lower back pain?

Nonprescription medications may provide relief from pain:

• Ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin ), available over-the-counter, is an excellent medication for the short-term treatment of low back pain. ...
• Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) is also effective in relieving pain.
• Topical agents such as "deep heating rubs" have not been shown to be effective.

What are the best exercises for low back pain?

The 10 Best Lower Back Exercises

1. Barbell Bent-Over Rows. If you want to improve your strength while developing various muscles throughout the body, you’ll be hard pushed to find a better exercise than the barbell ...
2. Back Extensions. Note: The illustration above shows the more advanced variant of this exercise (the Superman). ...
3. Rack Pulls. ...
4. Deadlifts. ...
5. Good Mornings. ...
6. Bird Dogs. ...
7. Supermans. ...

More items...

What causes severe pain in lower back?

When chronic back pain has no identifiable cause, a new type of psychological therapy might ... in the Back During a Movement Task in People with Chronic and Recurrent Low Back Pain. Cliln J Pain. 2020;36(7):524-532. Chou R, et al. Nonpharmacologic ...

What is the best treatment for lower back problems?

Treatment options for lower back pain

• Self-help for lower back pain. There are a number of things you can do to help relieve back pain. ...
• Medicines. Your GP may recommend that you take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) – for example, ibuprofen.
• Physical therapies. ...
• Psychological therapy. ...
• Injections and other procedures. ...
• Surgery. ...

What is the fastest way to heal a pulled lower back muscle?

To speed the healing, you should: Ice your back to reduce pain and swelling as soon as you injure yourself. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days. You can also ice your back after physical activity.

How long does it take to heal a lower back muscle?

Back muscle strains typically heal with time, many within a few days, and most within 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients with mild or moderate lumbar strains make a full recovery and are free of symptoms within days, weeks, or possibly months.

How do you treat a pulled lower back muscle at home?

Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Sleep in a curled-up, fetal position with a pillow between your legs.

Will lower back muscle pain go away?

Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is acute. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear.

What is the fastest home remedy for back pain?

10 Ways to Manage Low Back Pain at HomeKeep Moving. You might not feel like it when you're in pain. ... Stretch and Strengthen. Strong muscles, especially in your abdominal core, help support your back. ... Keep Good Posture. ... Maintain a Healthy Weight. ... Quit Smoking. ... Try Ice and Heat. ... Know Your OTC Medications. ... Rub on Medicated Creams.More items...•

How do you know if I pulled a muscle in my lower back?

Symptoms of pulled muscle in lower backyour back hurting more when you move, less when you stay still.pain in your back radiating down into your buttocks but not typically extending into your legs.muscle cramps or spasms in your back.trouble walking or bending.difficulty standing up straight.

Is heat good for back pain?

Heat therapy is an effective remedy for back pain because it boosts circulation, which then allows nutrients and oxygen to travel to joints and muscles. This circulation helps repair damaged muscles, relieves inflammation, and improves back stiffness. Any type of heat therapy can help relieve back pain.

What exercises help lower back pain?

Lie on your back with knees bent and just your heels on the floor. Push your heels into the floor, squeeze your buttocks, and lift your hips off the floor until shoulders, hips, and knees are in a straight line. Hold about 6 seconds, and then slowly lower hips to the floor and rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Is heat or cold better for back pain?

When your back pain is acute (less than a 4-week duration) and/or occurs due to a direct injury, use cold therapy first. Lowering the body temperature will help constrict the blood vessels, reduce swelling, decrease inflammation, and cause a numbing effect. Once the inflammation has subsided, use heat therapy.

What are 3 causes of lower back pain?

Low back pain caused by spinal degeneration and injury.Muscle or ligament strain. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. ... Bulging or ruptured disks. Disks act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. ... Arthritis. ... Osteoporosis.

Which medicine is best for back pain?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), may help relieve back pain. Take these medications only as directed by your doctor. Overuse can cause serious side effects.

How do I know if my lower back pain is serious?

When should I see a doctor if I have lower back pain?If the pain lasts four weeks or longer.If the pain keeps getting worse as time goes by.If you are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, major weight loss or weight gain, loss of function or weakness in extremities, bladder problems, etc.

How to help lower back pain?

See Exercise Walking for Better Back Health. Activity modification, such as avoiding strenuous activity or heavy lifting when low back pain is intense, can help prevent worsening a muscle injury and low back pain.

How to treat a pulled back muscle?

Most cases of a pulled back muscle are treated using standard self-care or non-invasive treatments. Some typical first-step treatments for a pulled low back muscle include: 1 Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen reduce inflammation, which often contributes to pain. Anti-inflammatory medicines are available over-the-counter or with a prescription.#N#See NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs 2 Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen, minimize pain by interfering with the way the brain interprets pain signals. Acetaminophen may also be included as an active ingredient in prescription medications, such as in combination with an opioid. 3 Muscle relaxants may be prescribed on a short-term basis to reduce muscle spasm. Most muscle relaxants do not affect muscles directly, but rather dampen pain receptors in the central nervous system. These medications have many side effects, and muscle relaxants also carry risk of addiction. 4 #N#See Muscle Relaxants: List of Common Muscle Relaxers#N# 5 Ice packs reduce inflammation that can occur shortly after a muscle is injured. Typical recommendations include applying a cold or ice pack for 10 - 20 minutes at regular intervals throughout the day, and using a towel or other barrier between the ice and the skin to prevent an ice burn.

How does massage help with back pain?

Massage therapy also releases endorphins, which lessen pain signals in the nervous system. Neuromuscular massage is considered especially helpful for low back muscle pain.

How to prevent back pain from flare ups?

Keeping the low back muscles active through stretching and strengthening exercises can help reduce overall pain levels and prevent future flare-ups from occurring.

What is the best treatment for a pulled back muscle?

Some typical first-step treatments for a pulled low back muscle include: Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen reduce inflammation, which often contributes to pain. Anti-inflammatory medicines are available ...

Does acetaminophen help with pain?

Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen, minimize pain by interfering with the way the brain interprets pain signals. Acetaminophen may also be included as an active ingredient in prescription medications, such as in combination with an opioid.

Should you avoid aggressive chiropractic manipulation?

Aggressive chiropractic manipulation should be avoided at the onset of treatment . It is best to restore health in a very gradual and dedicated process, watching for worsening symptoms versus improvement. Ultimately, the severity of a muscle injury will determine what kind of treatment is necessary.

How does massage help lower back pain?

In a trial funded by National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health, 400 people who suffered from low back pain found their symptoms significantly improved after receiving one hour of massage therapy once a week for 10 weeks. Physical therapy and exercises to strengthen core muscle groups in the lower back may also improve posture, promote flexibility and help prevent future injuries.

How to reduce swelling in lower back?

Heat or cold packs may reduce swelling for lower back injuries, though this has never been proven scientifically to anyone's satisfaction, according to the National Institutes of Health. The conventional wisdom holds that cold is best for fresh injuries and heat preferable for injuries more than a couple of days old. For acute spasms, many chiropractors recommend alternating the two. In this case, first shock the muscle out of spasm by applying ice for 10 minutes or so, then apply heat to sooth it. This cycle can be repeated several times.

How to get muscle spasms out of a muscle?

In this case, first shock the muscle out of spasm by applying ice for 10 minutes or so, then apply heat to sooth it. This cycle can be repeated several times.

Why is my back in spasm?

If the problem is a sharper pain that's triggered by movement, your back muscles may be in spasm. A strained muscle that's in spasm may require more aggressive treatment and take a bit longer to resolve.

How to prevent back pain from Doms?

To avoid lower back pain from DOMS, warm up before your workouts and work your way gradually into high-intensity exercises that involve lifting a lot of weights. DOMS is a reaction to a sudden and large increase in the intensity and repetition of an activity.

How to stretch hamstrings?

Extension exercises such as leg lifting and raising the trunk while lying on your stomach open up the spinal canal and strengthen the muscles that support the spine.

How long does it take for a lumbar disc to heal?

Unless there's an underlying spinal problem, such as degenerated or bulging lumbar disk, the condition should resolve itself within a few days. See your health care practitioner if there is severe pain, swelling or numbness, or if it hurts to walk. Otherwise, you can treat the injury at home. Advertisement.

What is the best treatment for low back pain?

Several types of complementary therapy may be helpful for relief from low back pain. These include: acupuncture, in which therapists insert hair-thin sterilized needles into precise points in the body to release blocked energy. spinal manipulation, in which chiropractors apply pressure directly to the body to correct spinal alignment.

What are some home remedies for low back pain?

movement therapies, such as yoga and tai chi, which can help stretch and strengthen back muscles. Although the evidence is mixed about whether these therapies are effective, when they do work, it is often when they are combined with the other home remedies for low back pain. – By Matthew Solan. Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch.

Why does my lower back hurt?

Sometimes, a disc pushes outside the space between the bones and compresses a nerve at the point where it branches off the spinal cord . When the sciatic nerve that leads into the buttocks and leg is affected, the pain is called sciatica.

How to heal a swollen back?

But try to limit it to a few hours at a time and for no more than one or two days. Physical activity. Exercise helps build strong, flexible muscles that will be less prone to injury. It can also help the healing process for an aching back, prevent problems in the future, and improve function.

What to do if you have a back injury?

Cold and heat therapies. It's best to use cold compresses or an ice pack, not heat, immediately following a back injury, since this can alleviate pain by numbing the area and prevent or reduce swelling.

How long does it take for a low back to heal?

If the pain does not improve after three to four days, then it's time to see a doctor. However, depending on the source of your back pain and its severity, you might try a few home remedies for low back pain to help ease the pain until your back returns to normal. Here are several options to consider:

How many people have back pain?

In fact, according to the Harvard Special Health Report Men's Health: Fifty and Forward, back pain affects about four in five Americans at some point in their lives and equally strikes men and women. Age is often the culprit.

How to protect your lower back from muscle spasms?

Maintaining good posture during the day will help to protect the lower back from spasms. When a person experiences one muscle spasm, they may be more likely to experience another. Maintain good back health to reduce future spasms. Use the following methods to protect the lower back:

How to get rid of muscle spasms in back?

Use a foam roller. Many people use foam rollers to loosen muscle tension or tightness after exercise. They may also help to relieve muscle spasms in the back. Always speak to a doctor before using a foam roller, as misusing it could cause back injuries.

How do you know if you have a spasm in your lower back?

Some symptoms of lower back spasms include: tension in the lower back. trouble moving after bending or picking something up. sudden, intense pain in the lower back. chronic pain in the lower back. weakness in the lower back, or in nearby muscles, such as in the hips. a cramping sensation in the back that comes and goes.

What does it feel like to have a spasm in your back?

The feeling ranges from mildly annoying to intensely painful. People usually feel muscle spasms in a specific muscle in the lower back. However, the pain may radiate to other areas and cause tension in nearby muscles. Some people who experience back pain also develop hip or leg pain.

How to stop muscle spasms?

Massage. Firm pressure on the affected muscle may help reduce tension and stop the spasm. To soothe a muscle spasm, press on the affected area for 30–60 seconds, then rub the surrounding area in a circular motion. Firm massage may be uncomfortable, but should not be painful.

Why does my lower back hurt?

Lower back spasms can happen suddenly, causing intense and even debilitating pain. Often caused by a recent physical injury, they are more likely to occur when a person is pregnant, dehydrated, or has a sedentary lifestyle that leads to weaker back muscles.

How to reduce muscle tension?

Both treatments can reduce inflammation and ease muscle tension. Alternating hot and cold packs can be particularly helpful. Try applying a hot and then cold pad for 20 minutes at a time, with a 20-minute break in between. A hot water bottle and an ice pack should be effective.

7 Simple Ways to Treat a Strained Back Muscle

If you have ever sprained your back muscles, you probably know the answer to “what does a pulled back muscle feel like”?

What is Muscle Strain?

As mentioned earlier, strain is typically an injury to either your tendon or muscles. Tendons are solid fibrous bands of thick tissues that connect muscles to bones. When you strain your back, the tendons and muscles supporting the spine are torn, pulled, or twisted.

Causes of a Strained Back Muscle

Sometimes even simply pulling or twisting a tendon or muscles may result in a strained back. That means, even a single instance of overstressing the lower back muscles or improper lifting can cause back strain. If you have a long-term (chronic) strain, it may be the result of repetitive, prolonged muscles and tendon use.

Can You Diagnose Strained Back Muscle?

Medical professionals diagnose mild strains by studying the medical history of the patients. A qualified healthcare provider reviews the symptoms of the patients and the reason for injury— or performs a physical examination.

How to Treat a Strained Back Muscle

In many cases of a sprained back or pulled back muscle, doctors use non-invasive and standard self-care treatments. Here are some first-step strained upper back muscle treatment options to effectively reduce pain.

Summing Up

All in all, regardless of the reason you develop muscle strain, it is a painful condition and may worsen if not treated on time. The abovementioned seven ways can help you reduce the pain and heal muscles faster.

How to heal a lower back muscle?

There are several exercises you can perform to help your lower back heal. Not only will they help the muscle spasms you may be having, they make your back stronger so it’s not as likely to become injured again. Here are a few easy stretching exercises. Take them slowly and move gradually into each position.

How to prevent lower back muscle strain?

These include: stretching and strengthening exercises. walking, swimming, or other light cardiovascular training . losing weight.

How do you know if you have a strained muscle in your lower back?

A strained muscle in your lower back can be quite painful. These are typical symptoms you might experience: your back hurting more when you move, less when you stay still. pain in your back radiating down into your buttocks but not typically extending into your legs. muscle cramps or spasms in your back.

What causes a pinched nerve in the lower back?

While a pulled muscle in your lower back could potentially cause a pinched nerve, this can also be caused by a herniated disc in your spine. If you feel radiant pain that extends into your legs, see a doctor right away.

How to prevent back pain?

Regularly exercising to help strengthen your back muscles can help prevent repeated back injuries. However, if you pull a muscle in your lower back and your pain doesn’t go away after several days, if you experience nerve tingling in your legs and feet, or if you have other symptoms like fever and weakness, see a doctor.

What happens when you pull a muscle?

You will probably notice pain and swelling, and the area will be tender to the touch. You may even notice redness or bruising.

What is the best medicine for pain?

Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can help reduce swelling and inflammation, which in turn helps relieve the pain. While these medications can be very effective, they also have many possible side effects and should not be used for long periods.

What is the best treatment for low back pain?

Therapy may include pelvic traction, gentle massage, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and stretching exercises.

How to help back pain?

Staying active and avoiding bed rest is recommended when experiencing back pain. Bed rest can lead to a loss of muscle strength and may increase muscle stiffness, adding to pain and discomfort. Sprain and strain is commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, if the pain is mild to moderate.

What is a lumbar strain?

Lumbar muscle strain is caused when muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. Lumbar sprain is caused when ligaments (the tough bands of tissue that hold bones together) are torn from their attachments. Both of these can result from a sudden injury or from gradual overuse. Lumbar strain or sprain can be debilitating.

How long does it take to recover from a lumbar sprain?

More than 90% of patients completely recover from an episode of lumbar muscle strain or sprain within one month. Heat and ice treatment are recommended on an as-needed basis at home to treat sudden flare-ups of low back pain, along with anti-inflammatory medications.

What causes a swollen lower back muscle?

Low Back Strain and Sprain. When the lumbar (lower) spine is strained or sprained, the muscles and tissues become swollen. This inflammation causes pain and may cause muscle spasms.

Why does my lower back hurt?

Muscle strains and sprains are common in the lower back, because it supports the weight of the upper body and is involved in moving, twisting and bending . Lumbar muscle strain is caused when muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn.

How long does low back pain last?

Inability to maintain normal posture due to stiffness and/or pain. Muscle spasms either with activity or at rest. Pain that persists for a maximum of 10-14 days.

How to keep your lower back strong?

Standing up straight and wearing low-heeled shoes will help provide stability and strength in your lower back. Engaging in regular physical activity, such as strengthening exercises for your back and abdomen will also help keep you moving and feeling great.

How to stop back spasms?

If your spasms do begin after an injury or an activity that stressed the muscles, try alternating ice and heat on your back. Ice will help reduce inflammation and heat may help improve blood flow.

What percentage of people have back pain?

About 80 percent of the U.S. population will have back pain at some time in their lives, according to the American Chiropractic Association. A back spasm is the involuntary contraction or tensing of the muscles in the lower back. The condition ranges from infrequent spasms with mild discomfort to chronic spasms with severe pain ...

Why does my back spasm?

Back spasms can be the result of injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, or they can be related to more serious medical conditions. Heavy lifting is a common cause of back spasms. In addition to heavy lifting, any activity that puts excessive strain on the muscles and ligaments in the lower back can cause an injury.

Can back spasms be treated without surgery?

The condition ranges from infrequent spasms with mild discomfort to chronic spasms with severe pain that makes it difficult to move. Back spasms can typically be treated effectively without surgery. Some intervention may be necessary if the pain is related to nerve problems in the spine.

Can you see a doctor for back spasms?

If you do develop back spasms, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Back pain is generally treatable and there’s no reason to struggle with spasms that’ll keep you out of action.

Can cortisone help with muscle spasms?

Research supports that muscle relaxants provide significant pain relief in short-term muscle spasms. Injections of an anti-inflammatory medication (cortisone) may also help. But there are potential side effects with every medication. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of these injections.