Can lumbar muscle strain be treated with massage?

Written by Sun Shu Jian
Orthopedics
Updated on March 24, 2025
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Lumbar muscle strain in the non-acute phase can be treated with massage therapy. Lumbar muscle strain is a chronic aseptic inflammation caused by overexertion of the lower back, related to factors such as prolonged sitting and long periods of bending. It can cause pain in the lower back and limited movement. In addition to massage therapy, treatments for lumbar muscle strain can include local heat application, infrared radiation, and electromagnetic therapy. It is also advisable to change daily lifestyle habits by avoiding prolonged sitting and bending, and avoiding exposure to cold. Appropriate exercises to strengthen back muscles, acupuncture, massage, and when necessary, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant medications can also be used for treatment.

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Written by Sun Shu Jian
Orthopedics
50sec home-news-image

Can lumbar muscle strain be treated with massage?

Lumbar muscle strain in the non-acute phase can be treated with massage therapy. Lumbar muscle strain is a chronic aseptic inflammation caused by overexertion of the lower back, related to factors such as prolonged sitting and long periods of bending. It can cause pain in the lower back and limited movement. In addition to massage therapy, treatments for lumbar muscle strain can include local heat application, infrared radiation, and electromagnetic therapy. It is also advisable to change daily lifestyle habits by avoiding prolonged sitting and bending, and avoiding exposure to cold. Appropriate exercises to strengthen back muscles, acupuncture, massage, and when necessary, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant medications can also be used for treatment.

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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 Li Jie
Orthopedics
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Is lumbar muscle strain easy to treat?

Lumbar muscle strain, as the name suggests, is a fatigue-related injury to the muscles of the lower back. It is primarily caused by excessive fatigue, a continuous state of tension in the lumbar muscles, leading to tension, spasms, and adhesions in the lumbar spine muscles. Sometimes, it may also involve minor joint disorders in the lumbar spine. Generally, the cause of lumbar muscle strain is quite clear. The first thing we recommend is that patients must rest in bed for a period, and this is to be combined with various conservative treatment measures such as acupuncture, massage, physiotherapy, electrical heating, or the external application of medicinal patches or moxibustion. With these treatments combined with rest, we generally achieve quite good therapeutic results. Therefore, lumbar muscle strain is relatively easy to treat and has good treatment outcomes.

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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 Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
1min 14sec home-news-image

How long should I take off work for a lumbar muscle strain?

Lumbar muscle strain often occurs when engaging in heavy physical labor. For instance, swinging a heavy hammer or bending over for strenuous tasks, as is common for carpenters and roofers. Such occupations involve considerable effort from the lumbar region with frequent movements, and prolonged work can easily lead to local muscle congestion and exudation, stimulating surrounding nerves and blood vessels leading to strain. Generally, after finishing such activities, one may experience lumbar discomfort and stiffness the next morning, where the lumbar region feels stiff like a board, making movement painful. Movement can alleviate the pain somewhat, which is a typical symptom. Lumbar muscle strain usually requires strict bed rest, ideally for about a week, and it is best to take a leave of absence for about seven to ten days. Treatment often involves medications that promote blood circulation and relieve pain, combined with heat application, massage, and physical therapy, all of which can help alleviate symptoms. If it is possible and the workplace allows, it is recommended to rest for about seven to ten days.