Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

Advertisement
Advertisement

Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back– A pain in the back has now become a part of life. Due to everyday stressors, improper diet, and extreme stress of work we put extra pressure on our muscles and ligaments causing pain. One such medical condition which causes low back pain is Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back.

Advertisement
Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back
Advertisement

What Is Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back?

Low back pain has become a part of life. Every individual at some point or the other gets low back pain. One of the major causes of low back pain is Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back. To understand Lower Back Strain, we need to understand the anatomy of the back in brief.

There are quite a few muscles and ligaments in the back which hold the spine together. These muscles can be strained if they are stretched excessively which results in minute tears in the tissues. The muscles then get weak and are not able to hold the bones of the spinal column in place adequately resulting in low back pain. Since the nerves in the back too get stretched out from the spinal cord hence there may be reproduction of pain in other parts of the body too.

Causes Of Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back

Some Of The Causes Of Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back Are:

  • Excessive physical activity
  • Fall
  • Repeated bending and crouching
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Improper posture
  • Obesity
  • Sitting for prolonged periods of time
  • In some cases severe emotional stress can also cause Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back.

Symptoms Of Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back

Some Of The Symptoms Of Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back Are:

  • Pain and stiffness
  • Severe pain in the buttocks and legs
  • Worsening pain with bending, coughing, or sneezing.

Diagnosis of Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back

For a diagnosis of Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back, the treating physician will conduct a detailed physical examination. The physician may also order X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to look at the internal structures of the back in case if the pain does not go away on its own or with conservative treatments.

Treatments For Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back

Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back Is Basically Treated Conservatively By The Following Ways:

Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back

  • Ice Application: Use of ice or cold packs to the area for about 15-20 minutes at least two to three times a day to calm down the swelling and inflammation. It can also be done after strenuous activity.
  • Heat Application: After applying ice for a couple of days, heat treatments can be started. This needs to be started after the swelling has calmed down.
  • Medications: Use of pain medications like ibuprofen can be beneficial. NSAIDs like Motrin or Aleve also can help with pain in the back. These medications tend to have side effects hence a physician’s advice is recommended before beginning medications.
  • Support: A back support can also be used for pain relief and to provide support to the back but a therapist needs to be consulted first before choosing the type of support.
  • Therapy: Physical therapy is paramount to gain back the strength of the back muscles.

Measures To Be Taken To Prevent Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back

Some Measures That Can Be Taken To Prevent Lower Back Strain or Strained Lower Back Are:

  • Stop doing those activities which can cause pain in the back.
  • Reduce the workout regime if there is production of back pain.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Try and avoid sleeping on the stomach.
  • When picking something up, try not to bend the waist but bend the knees.
  • Weight loss in case of obesity.
  • Maintain adequate posture so that there is no pressure in the back muscles.

Also Read:

Advertisement
Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 25, 2022

Recent Posts

Related Posts

Advertisement