What department should I see for a lumbar muscle strain?

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

Lumbar muscle strain can be treated at the orthopedics department of a hospital. It is primarily caused by poor posture and chronic injury. Patients with lumbar muscle strain may experience symptoms such as lower back pain and limited mobility of the lower back. For the treatment of lumbar muscle strain, it is important to rest and develop correct habits for using the lower back. Symptomatic treatment with medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers can also be used to alleviate pain. Additionally, Chinese medicine that promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis can improve symptoms. Other treatment methods such as hot compresses, physical therapy, massage, and trigger point injections can also effectively improve symptoms.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
1min 3sec home-news-image

Which part to massage for lumbar muscle strain?

After experiencing lumbar muscle strain, massage therapy can be used for treatment. During the massage, focus on the kidney area on both sides of the lumbar spine. Techniques such as muscle lifting and pinching, local elbow pressing, and massage methods like rubbing, kneading, and rolling can be used. Stimulate effective acupoints in the waist to restore normal circulation of qi and blood in the lumbar muscles, promote the muscle tissues to absorb nutrients, enhance the strength, toughness, and elasticity of lumbar muscles, and reduce symptoms such as pain and swelling, as well as increase the range of motion in the lumbar spine area. Additionally, support with lumbar acupuncture, moxibustion, electrotherapy, and physical therapy. Under the guidance of a rehabilitation doctor, strengthen lumbar functional exercises to accelerate recovery. In terms of diet, consume more fresh fruits and foods rich in calcium.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
56sec home-news-image

Can lumbar muscle strain be cured completely?

Patients with lumbar muscle strain can generally improve their symptoms or even recover after rest or treatment. The main causes of lumbar muscle strain include long-term heavy physical activities involving the waist, poor posture, chronic strain, trauma, etc., which can cause symptoms such as back pain and limited mobility. These symptoms lessen after rest but can worsen after resuming strenuous activities. For the treatment of lumbar muscle strain, it is important first to rest and develop correct habits of using the waist to avoid long-term heavy physical activities involving this area. Treatment may include the symptomatic use of anti-inflammatory pain medications, combined with heat application, physical therapy, massage, or block therapy. These methods can play a positive role in symptom improvement and recovery. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
52sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 19sec home-news-image

How to assist in the examination of lumbar muscle strain?

How should lumbar muscle strain be assessed through auxiliary examinations? What auxiliary examinations are needed for lumbar muscle strain? Clinically, lumbar muscle strain is quite common; out of every ten people, at least two or three have it. The characteristic of these patients is that their symptoms are severe but their physical signs are mild. Therefore, when encountering such patients, a screening process is generally required, which involves a method of exclusion. After examination, an X-ray is usually taken first to check for obvious lumbar spondylolisthesis, the severity of bone hyperplasia, and any traumas, whether fresh or old, that might have caused vertebral fractures. Then, some people might need a CT scan, which aims to exclude lumbar disc herniation. Many patients do not have herniated discs, or only have slight bulging, but their symptoms are severe, making them restless. Generally, there is no need for an MRI, but some patients strongly request an MRI examination. After the MRI, sometimes high-density shadows can be seen in the muscles of the lower back, which might be caused by injuries within these muscles. Therefore, the auxiliary examinations for lumbar muscle strain are usually negative, with few positive findings, which is a characteristic of this condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
38sec home-news-image

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.)