what is the best treatment for a pulled back muscle

How long does it take for a pulled back muscle to heal?

Apply cold. Cold helps reduce inflammation, which is the primary source of pain in the first few days. The faster you can apply cold to a pulled back muscle, the faster you may reduce pain, help control swelling, and start the healing process. Apply a cold pack for 15-20 minutes as soon as the injury occurs.

What are some home remedies for a pulled muscle?

Stretches for a pulled-back muscle can do wonders to relieve strain instantly. You can include them in your massage therapy to improve blood circulation and relax muscles. Moreover, it can improve range of motion and decrease pain. Massage therapy releases endorphins that help you lessen or reduce pain signals in your nervous system. 7. Walking

What is the best way to relieve the back muscles?

May 07, 2019 · If you do pull a lower back muscle, there are several things you can help relieve the swelling and pain. Apply ice or heat It’s a good idea to ice your back right away to …

How to get rid of pulled muscle pain in back?

May 10, 2020 · Ice application should begin as soon as possible after sustaining a muscle pull. Ice applications can be done frequently, but should not be done for more than 15 minutes at a time. 3  How to Ice an Injury the Right Way Anti-Inflammatory Medications Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce swelling and alleviate painful symptoms.

How long does a pulled muscle in back take to heal?

Compared to many other kinds of back injuries, a pulled muscle is usually straightforward to diagnose and easy to treat, and symptoms usually resolve within 4 to 6 weeks. Some severe muscle injuries, such as a complete muscle tear, can take months to heal.

What is the fastest way to heal a pulled 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.May 12, 2021

Is walking good for lower back pain?

If you have lower back pain, walking may be a particularly good form of exercise to relieve pain, since low-impact activity is less damaging to your joints and helps your body maintain bone density. Physiotherapists may recommend retro walking (walking backward) as well as an effective way to manage back pain.Oct 13, 2021

Should I go to the doctor for a pulled back muscle?

If your back pain is from a recent strain or mild injury, your primary care doctor can probably help. But if the pain is severe, ongoing, or accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness or tingling in your arms or legs, it may be time to see a back doctor.Jul 12, 2021

Muscles in Your Upper, Middle, and Lower Back

Your back from the nape of your neck to the top of your buttocks contains many important large muscles. In the center of your back is your spine wh...

Back Muscle Strain vs. Pulled Back Muscle vs. Torn Muscle in Back

What is the difference between a strained, pulled, and torn back muscle? Sometimes, these terms are used interchangeably, but there is a subtle dif...

What Does Pulled, Strained, Or Torn Muscle in Back Feel like?

The symptoms of a strained, pulled, or torn muscle depend much on the cause of the injury and the extent of muscle damage. Doctors from the Mayo Cl...

Causes of Pulled, Torn, Or Strained Muscle in Back

Unfortunately, all of us at some point in our lives will suffer from some degree of upper back pain, middle back pain, or lower back pain. In fact,...

Natural Treatments For Pulled, Torn, Or Strained Back Muscle

With proper home remedies, it’s possible to successfully treat pulled, torn, or strained back muscles at home. Here are some of the best treatments...

Recovery Time For A Pulled Muscle in Back

Back muscle strain recovery time greatly depends on the extent of muscle tissue damage that you had. So, knowing how long a pulled muscle lasts can...

Back Muscle Strain – When to See A Doctor

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, in most cases, you can treat pulled and strained back muscles at home. Home remedies help to i...

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

How to heal a strained back muscle?

Carefully remove the sock being careful if it is too hot. Wrap the rice-filled sock in a warm moist towel and apply to the painful pulled or strained back muscle. Use 3 or 4 times a day for 20 minutes to help boost healing of a strained back muscle.

How long does it take for a torn back muscle to heal?

A severely pulled trapezius, rhomboid, or latissimus dorsi muscle will take between 2 and 3 months to completely heal. Grade 3 torn back muscle.

What muscles are used to throw objects?

For example, doctors from AAOS say that trapezius muscles and rhomboids are required to throw objects with force. If this is done in a jerking motion or if the muscles and tendons have not been warmed up, you could pull a muscle in your left upper back or right upper back. 10.

What causes back pain?

Injury to your back can cause back muscle strain or a pulled back muscle. For example, Dr. William Blahd on WebMD says that upper and middle back pain can be caused by injury to the muscles and ligaments in the thoracic region. 5

What is the name of the muscle that connects the thoracic spine to the shoulder blades?

Rhomboid muscles are diamond-shaped muscles that are located on either side of your thoracic spine (upper spine). Both rhomboids (major and minor) connect your spine to your shoulder blades. A pulled or strained rhomboid will cause pain and discomfort on one or both sides of your upper back.

How to get rid of knots in back?

Massage the therapeutic essential oil mix into your rhomboids, trapezius, or latissimus dorsi muscles to ease the strain. Use twice a day, and to get rid of knots in your back continue using until your back pain has eased and you no longer have symptoms of a pulled or torn muscle.

What does it mean when a muscle tear in the back hurts?

A tear in a back muscle is a more serious injury that results in some of the tissue tearing from the connective joint or tendon. Doctors from the AAOS say that a torn muscle will cause significant swelling and will probably result in the affected area becoming immobile. 1.

What is pulled muscle?

Jason DelCollo, DO, is board-certified in family medicine and on the faculty of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. A muscle strain, also called a pulled muscle, occurs when a muscle is stretched too far, and microscopic tears occur within the muscle fibers.

How to heal muscle strain?

Most muscle strain injuries will heal with simple treatment steps, but performing the right steps, at the right time, can be critical to ensuring the fastest possible recovery. As with many injuries, there is a balance between doing too much, or too little, early after the injury.

What are the symptoms of muscle strain?

The usual symptoms of this type of injury include pain, spasm of the muscle, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility. Often an athlete will feel a sudden grabbing or tearing sensation in the muscle, and then be unable to continue their activities. Muscle strain injuries are graded by severity: 1 .

What is the best way to prevent muscle strain?

Gentle Stretching. Stretching and strengthening are useful in the treatment and prevention of muscle strain injuries. Muscles that are stronger and more flexible are less likely to be injured.

How long should you ice a muscle pull?

Ice applications can be done frequently, but should not be done for more than 15 minutes at a time. 3 . How to Ice an Injury the Right Way.

What happens after a muscle injury?

After injuring the muscle, it is important to regain strength before returning to athletic activities. Both the injury itself and the rest period following the injury can reduce the strength of the muscle. Stronger muscles are less likely to sustain a re-injury.

Why is it important to use caution when a muscle is fatigued?

6 . Athletes should use caution, especially as they become fatigued, as the muscle becomes more susceptible to strain injuries.

How long does it take for a pulled muscle in the lower back to heal?

Lower back pulled muscles tend to heal relatively quickly, with 90% of cases healing within a month. However, treatment may help to alleviate your symptoms and speed up healing. #1. Ice for first 48-72 Hours. Apply ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes, every couple of hours, to the area of injury for the first 48-72 hours.

How to heal a tight back muscle?

Self Massage Therapy. Massage therapy can help to increase blood flow to the lower back, which helps to promote healing. [5] . It also helps to loosen up tightened lower back muscles, which might be caused from those muscle spasms.

What is pulled muscle?

Pulled muscles can be classified as either: Strains (more common) – A tendon or a muscle that is stretched or torn. Strains are typically caused by an overload and stretching of the muscle and tendon that results in a partial or complete tear. Sprains – A ligament that is torn or stretched.

How to get rid of a swollen back?

Begin by kneeling on all fours with your hands positioned under your shoulders and your knees positioned directly below your hips. Exhale and arch your spine gently. Inhale and tighten your core muscle while you round your back. Aim for 10 repetitions.

What does it feel like to pull a muscle in your lower back?

If you pull a muscle in your lower back you may experience a range of symptoms from a dull, nagging ache, to debilitating pain, including: If you pull a muscle in your lower back you may experience varying intensities of pain, from a dull, nagging ache, to sharp pain. [2]

What is the best exercise for low back pain?

Exercise #3: Glute Bridge. This exercise is meant to activate your glutes, quads and core area. The idea is to use the muscles around your low back to send a signal to the brain that your muscles are in fact working fine, and thus your low back muscles can finally relax. Be gentle with this one and do it very slowly.

How to do a squat on your back?

How to perform it: Begin lying on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet positioned flat on the floor with your arms positioned beside your torso. Use your heels to push into the floor while you lift your pelvis off the floor until your upper body and thighs are positioned in a straight line.

How to treat a pulled lower back muscle?

Here are the five most important steps you can take now to help your body recover quickly from and treat a pulled back muscle: 1. Apply cold to the pulled back muscle. You should apply ice to your injury as soon as possible . The sooner you apply the ice the more it will help.

How to get rid of a pulled muscle in the lower back?

Stretching and strengthening exercises. You’ll want to be very careful your first couple of days, but some light stretching can often reduce pain from a pulled muscle in your lower back by relieving tension. Include both strengthening and stretching exercises. Try this easy stretch while lying in bed.

What to do when your back hurts?

When your back hurts, you probably reach for a bottle of painkillers such as NSAIDs and get in bed or crash on the couch. Or you go to the doctor, who may prescribe muscle relaxants. I’m not a fan of Big Pharma’s pills. For one, both NSAIDs and muscle relaxants come with side effects.

How long does it take for a pulled muscle in your back to heal?

The good news is you definitely won’t need surgery. Pulled muscles in the back (whether it’s a strain or sprain) usually heal within days or weeks on their own.

What to do when you pull a muscle?

Key takeaway #4: You can speed up recovery and reduce pain with a few simple at-home remedies: cold and heat therapy, natural anti-inflammatories, rest and stretching.

How to stop back pain from recurring?

You may be able to prevent new or recurring back pain with simple techniques such as massage and meditation . Studies show that massage is an effective way to reduce stress and relax tightened muscles.

How to get a pulled back muscle out of your back?

Apply heat to the pulled back muscle. Try applying heat directly to the area that is strained or sprained right after the ice. This is a powerful way to “double-shock” your back muscles out of the pain-spasm cycle. Apply 20 minutes of ice followed by 20 minutes of heat and repeat up to three times.

How to treat pulled muscle in back?

Another common ingredient, which is found in most kitchens and is great for pulled muscle relief, is cayenne pepper. To a teaspoon of warm olive oil add ½ tsp of cayenne pepper powder. Rub the oil into the affected area. Repeat this treatment 2 or 3 times a day.

How to prevent a pulled muscle?

Movement and Stretching. To prevent a pulled muscle, it is best to warm up and stretch, but it is equally important to avoid allowing pulled muscles to become too stiff after an injury. What to do: Try to move the affected area several times during the day without stressing or straining.

How to get rid of muscle pain from a sprain?

What to do: As a soak: add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to a bathtub full of hot water. Soak once daily for a few days or until your muscle pain subsides. Additionally, you can drink 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar mixed in a glass of warm water daily for a week. Add a little honey if necessary for taste. How it works:

What does it mean when you pull a muscle?

A pulled muscle can also be the result of a repetitive movement or from poor posture.

Can a pulled muscle be painful?

A pulled muscle can be painfully irritating or completely debilitating, depending upon where it’s located. To get the quickest relief, avoid further injury and get back to your regular routine without pain, follow any one or combination of these 15 remedies.

Is it normal to not move a muscle?

It is a normal assumption that if you are not moving your painful limb, it will not be in pain. But this is not true with a pulled muscle! It is very likely that it will indeed hurt when it is not in motion. This is not a good sign at all, and can be a very hard thing to cope with because it is difficult to rest when you cannot find relief, even in resting.

Can you massage a pulled muscle?

You can bring relief to a pulled muscle through massage as well. What to do: A professional massage therapist is a great option, but in lieu of one, you can do it yourself or have a family member give you a massage. Make use of one of the oils mentioned above to lubricate you palms.