Symptoms of lumbar muscle strain

Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Lumbar muscle strain is mostly caused by excessive activity, overexertion, fatigue, and intense exercise, which leads to the continuous pulling of the lumbar muscle fibers beyond their load capacity, resulting in injury. After the injury, many patients may not have sufficient rest, causing the muscle fibers in the lumbar region to become scarred, which is referred to as lumbar muscle strain. The primary symptoms of lumbar muscle strain are pain and limited mobility in the lumbar region, especially after intense exercise or exertion, with the pain gradually worsening and possibly radiating to the buttocks on both sides. The main treatment involves rest, which is the most important. Additionally, treatments such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation, massage, acupuncture, and oral medication can be used to aid in the recovery and growth of lumbar muscles, with the main symptoms being pain in the lumbar area and restricted movement.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How to treat lumbar muscle strain properly?

Lumbar muscle strain is mainly caused by long-term poor posture and chronic injuries. Patients with lumbar muscle strain can experience symptoms such as back pain and limited mobility. For the treatment of lumbar muscle strain, it is important to rest and develop good habits of using the back during work. Symptomatic medication treatment can also be applied, such as using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs to relieve pain. These drugs can be used for a short period after meals and are effective in alleviating pain. Additionally, treatments like hot compresses, massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, or local blockages can also be used to effectively relieve pain.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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How to effectively treat lumbar muscle strain?

The best treatment for lumbar muscle strain usually involves local heat application or massage. It is crucial to employ the correct massage techniques, such as kneading, pinching, and rolling, which can effectively promote local blood circulation, alleviate muscle tension, and improve the clinical symptoms of the patient's lumbar muscle strain. For severe pain, it may also be necessary to combine this with some medications, such as oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or use topical plasters that activate blood circulation and dissolve stasis. Additionally, it is essential to sleep on a hard bed, wear a waist belt for protection, and avoid fatigue, cold exposure, prolonged sitting or standing, excessive bending, and lifting or carrying heavy objects.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 6sec home-news-image

Symptoms of lumbar muscle strain and fasciitis

First, it is a type of chronic pain without obvious causes, mainly characterized by soreness and swelling. The pain usually alleviates after rest but reappears if staying in one position for too long. Therefore, patients with myofascial inflammation caused by lumbar strain often feel restless. Second, there is usually a trigger point, typically located near or within a muscle, or at the junction between muscle and nerve. Pressing on the trigger point often results in radiating pain around it. Furthermore, the pain usually does not worsen but instead lessens over time, which is a key characteristic of myofascial inflammation. Third, the sacrospinalis muscle may become hardened or even spasm on one or both sides. Fourth, there is compensatory abnormal curvature of the spine, mainly presenting as protrusion or lateral curvature of the spine. Thus, the symptoms of myofascial inflammation from lumbar muscle strain usually include pain, specific pain points, surrounding muscle hardening, spasm, and compensatory spinal deformity.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How many days will it take for a lumbar muscle strain to heal by itself?

Lumbar muscle strain is a chronic condition, not an acute onset. It is caused by fatigue, overexertion, trauma, and vigorous exercise, leading to prolonged and repeated strain, pulling, rupture, and damage of the lumbar muscles, resulting in scar formation and lumbar muscle strain. Therefore, this disease is essentially a chronic ailment, and its healing mainly relies on rest to promote recovery. If muscle damage occurs in the lumbar region and one does not rest, continuing to work and bear loads as usual, the muscles will not heal and will eventually become scarred. Thus, the duration for the healing of lumbar muscle strain depends not on the number of days, but whether adequate and proper rest has been taken. Additionally, applying medications that invigorate blood circulation and disperse blood stasis can assist in recovery. Generally, if care is taken to rest adequately, avoid carrying heavy loads, prevent fatigue, and avoid vigorous exercise, while also using oral medications or plasters that invigorate blood and dispel stasis, healing can gradually occur. However, the condition may recur under fatigue and strain in the future, as it is a chronic disease and complete healing is very difficult to achieve. (Note: This answer is for reference only. Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician, and medications should not be used blindly.)

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Treatment methods for lumbar muscle strain

Firstly, general treatment is necessary, which mainly includes rest, or regularly changing posture, and avoiding bending over to lift objects. This is primarily to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence. Additionally, using a lumbar support belt at work can limit the range of motion of the waist and is very effective for lumbar muscle strain. Moreover, after entering the remission phase, when the pain has subsided, it is important to strengthen the muscles of the lower back. If the strength of the lower back muscles is improved, the stability of the lumbar spine will also improve, making lumbar muscle strain less likely to occur. Secondly, some physiotherapy can be applied to the painful area, including massage, manipulation, or acupuncture. Thirdly, if there are specific tender points, localized treatment around these points can be considered, which is highly effective. Fourthly, if the pain is particularly severe, affecting work and rest, or causing patient anxiety, consideration can be given to using some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, muscle relaxants, or sedatives like diazepam. Therefore, treatment of lumbar muscle strain is essential and must be correctly administered. (Medications should be used under a doctor's guidance based on specific conditions.)