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 Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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What are the symptoms of lumbar muscle strain?

Lumbar muscle strain, also known as functional back pain, chronic lumbar injury, and lumbar-gluteal fasciitis, etc., is actually chronic inflammation of the lumbar muscles and their attachment points, such as the fascia or periosteum. It is one of the most common causes of back pain. The main symptoms include swelling and soreness in the lumbar and sacral regions, recurring pain, which is often related to the weather, such as feeling cold. Factors such as daytime fatigue can aggravate it, rest can alleviate it, and the intensity of pain can vary. Sometimes, it is severe and other times it is mild. For instance, some people feel stiff as a board in the morning upon waking up and are afraid to move; this is a typical manifestation. Physical examination can confirm the condition, and some diagnostic tests like lumbar disc CT or MRI can help differentiate if there is any lumbar disc herniation. Additionally, it is also important to distinguish from conditions like piriformis syndrome, which generally involves sciatica, and symptoms like numbness and pain in the lower limbs. Once diagnosed, the first step is strict bed rest, and appropriate blood-activating and pain-relieving medication can be administered. Local heat application, massage, and electrotherapy are some of the physical treatments available. It is advisable to avoid lifting or moving heavy objects routinely, as these activities can impose significant strain on the back and are not conducive to the recovery from back ailments.

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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.

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Causes of Lumbar Muscle Strain

The causes of lumbar muscle strain generally include two points: First, after an acute lumbar injury, such as a sprain or trauma, proper treatment is not administered, and sufficient rest is not taken when needed, leading to improper treatment and eventually resulting in chronic lumbar muscle strain. The second point, which is also the main reason, is due to the lumbar region being in a state of continuous tension during prolonged work. This causes the muscles in the lumbar region to be under constant stress, then compressing the small blood vessels, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the lumbar muscles, and causing metabolic byproducts like lactic acid to accumulate. This eventually stimulates local inflammatory responses that contribute to injury. Initially, the muscles themselves can make some compensatory adjustments. However, as the condition worsens, this ability to regulate increasingly diminishes until it can no longer adjust, leading then to compensatory regulation, also known as serial compensatory adjustment. Thus, if lumbar muscle strain is not treated properly or in a timely manner, the condition will progressively worsen, eventually causing the lumbar muscles to lose their original function and potentially leading to a deformity in the lumbar region. Therefore, the main reasons for lumbar muscle strain are firstly, improper treatment during the acute phase that transitions into chronic lumbar muscle strain, and secondly, the lumbar muscles being in a state of long-term overload, ultimately leading to strain.

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Orthopedics
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Is bloodletting useful for lumbar muscle strain?

Bloodletting therapy for lumbar muscle strain has no scientific basis, and improper operations can easily cause infections. Therefore, this method is not recommended. Lumbar muscle strain is primarily caused by poor posture and chronic strain, leading to symptoms such as back pain and limited mobility. The main treatment for lumbar muscle strain involves rest and developing correct habits for using the back. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relief medications can be used in combination to alleviate pain. Other treatment methods such as heat application, physical therapy, massage, or trigger point injections can also be adopted. Generally, these methods can effectively relieve symptoms. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Is applying heat useful for lumbar muscle strain?

Patients with lumbar muscle strain can find heat application helpful in relieving symptoms, as it is a type of physiotherapy. Heat application can promote blood circulation, reduce inflammatory reactions, and actively alleviate symptoms such as lower back pain. Patients with lumbar muscle strain should also ensure adequate rest, develop proper habits for using the lumbar region, and avoid long-term heavy physical activities involving the back. Additionally, treatments can include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blood-activating and stasis-dissolving medications, in combination with heat application, physiotherapy, massage, or injections. These methods can actively improve symptoms and promote recovery, thus heat application is advisable for patients with lumbar muscle strain.