How many days will it take for a lumbar muscle strain to heal by itself?

Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 03, 2024
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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 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 Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Can I run with a strained lumbar muscle?

Generally, it is not recommended. For lumbar muscle strain, it is first advised to rest in bed. After the pain eases, one can take gentle walks and do some lumbar physiotherapy and heat applications. Exercises such as the 'little swallow flight' and other aerobic activities, as well as swimming, can be done. Jogging is also acceptable, but it is advised not to engage in fast, high-intensity, or prolonged running to avoid significant injury and fatigue to the lumbar muscles.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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What should I do if I have a lumbar muscle strain?

The recurrence of lumbar muscle strain primarily requires rest as the first measure; it is essential to rest in bed and avoid exerting the muscles in the lower back. Secondly, some external plasters can be applied, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic plasters, as well as plasters that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, to alleviate pain in the lower back. Thirdly, some physical therapy methods can be used, such as massage, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and magnet therapy to relieve the pain in the muscles of the lower back. However, among these methods, rest is the most important, including being cautious with methods of exercise and training. For instance, some people prefer running, while others enjoy playing ball sports; generally, patients with lumbar muscle strain should absolutely avoid these kinds of activities. If they engage in strenuous activities even once, the lumbar muscle strain will recur. It is recommended for patients with lumbar muscle strain who enjoy exercise to consider swimming; swimming is a non-weight-bearing form of exercise that does not aggravate the condition but can strengthen the muscles in the lower back, alleviating the symptoms of lumbar muscle strain. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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Can you swim with a strained lumbar muscle?

Lumbar muscle strain, as the name implies, is the fatigue damage to the lumbar spine muscles. It is characterized by tension, spasms, and adhesion of the lumbar muscles, sometimes accompanied by disorders of the lumbar facet joints, straightening of the lumbar curvature, and limited lumbar mobility. Swimming is permissible in such cases because the body is in a weightless state while swimming. This condition allows swimming to strengthen the muscles of the lower back and enhance the muscular strength of the lumbar spine, which can help in exercising and alleviating symptoms. Hence, it is said that one with lumbar muscle strain can swim.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Can lumbar muscle strain be massaged?

Appropriate massage is acceptable, but avoid excessive force to prevent the possibility of further damage to the soft tissues of the back. It is recommended to combine it with local physical therapies, including electrotherapy, acupuncture, and proper kneading, which can aid in the recovery of lumbar muscle strain and improve local blood circulation. Furthermore, for recurring lumbar muscle strain, patients are advised to take oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs, and avoid repeated bending and heavy lifting activities, as well as prolonged sitting and standing. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)