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

Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
Updated on September 10, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
1min 46sec home-news-image

How should lumbar muscle strain be treated?

Lumbar muscle strain is a particularly common disease, such as strenuous exercise or long periods of heavy physical labor. For instance, farmers bending over, farming, hoeing, cutting grass, fertilizing, and spraying pesticides are all activities closely related to the movement of the lumbar muscles. The human body's muscles engage in 80% of activities, and their involvement in lumbar muscle strain is very common. It mainly manifests as swinging hammers, digging tree pits, bending over to lift heavy objects, and carrying heavy weights. Subsequently, pain and discomfort in the lumbar region occur. The next morning, upon waking, the symptoms may become more apparent. The lumbar area may feel stiff, akin to a plank, making getting out of bed difficult. Through physical examination and radiographic imaging, such as CT scans of the lumbar spine, the condition can generally be identified and confirmed. In such cases, strict bed rest is required, generally for at least ten days, during which symptoms gradually alleviate. During this period, treatments such as traction, physiotherapy, massage, and heating can help alleviate the symptoms. If necessary, blood-activating and pain-relieving medications may be taken. The condition is treatable, but it is advisable to avoid prolonged sitting in the future. When engaging in heavy labor, it is better to restrict the lumbar region by wearing a lumbar belt or engaging in lighter physical activities that do not overly exert the lumbar area. Regular care for the lumbar region is essential. Once there is damage to the lumbar region, recurrent episodes can affect the quality of normal life and work.

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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
46sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
47sec home-news-image

What is the location for moxibustion for lumbar muscle strain?

Lumbar muscle strain, as the name suggests, is a fatigue injury of the lumbar muscles. The pathological changes mainly involve local muscle spasms, adhesions, and tension in the lumbar spine, and sometimes there is some disorder in the small joints. Generally, in moxibustion treatment, the most important point is to apply moxibustion at the pain points. We can manually press to locate the most painful area or where the muscles are most tense, and apply moxibustion there, which is known as Ashi point therapy. Secondly, we can select specific acupoints in the lumbar area for targeted moxibustion. Commonly used acupoints include Mingmen, Shenshu, and Yaoyangguan. Targeted moxibustion at these points is usually quite effective.

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

Lumbar muscle strain physical therapy methods

After a lumbar muscle strain, physical therapy is a very important treatment method, and when properly handled, it is greatly beneficial to the recovery of the condition. Physical methods include: First, physical therapy should be applied to the area of pain, primarily involving appropriate massage and manipulation. Second, after the acute phase, local heat application can be used, such as wrapping a hot water bottle with a towel. Third, iontophoresis with medications can be applied to the painful area, which is a crucial aspect of treating lumbar muscle strain with traditional Chinese medicine and herbs. Fourth, treatment with microwave or ultrasound can also be conducted. Generally, it is believed that ultrasound therapy has a very good effect on lumbar muscle strain. Finally, acupuncture or traditional Chinese medical traction can also be performed, which usually has a very good effect on lumbar muscle strains.