How to treat lumbar muscle strain properly?

Written by Li Jin

Orthopedics

Updated on December 13, 2024

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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 Zhang Ying Peng

Orthopedics

33sec

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How to exercise with lumbar muscle strain?

The best exercise method for lumbar muscle strain is to perform functional exercises on the bed, such as the "Little Swallow" exercise. Lie prone on the bed, lifting limbs and head off the bed, supporting your body with only the abdomen, hold for two seconds each time, and perform this exercise more than 20 times a day. The second method is the "Five-Point Support," where you lie on your back on the bed, use your head and limbs to prop up your body, and then leave your waist suspended in the air, holding each position for two seconds, also repeating this 20 times daily.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 18sec

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Can you exercise with lumbar muscle strain?

Lumbar muscle strain primarily arises from repetitive stretching of the back muscles due to work-related activities or intense physical exercise. This leads to a range of symptoms, such as stiffness in the lower back upon waking in the morning, reluctance to move, and symptomatic relief after some activity. It is advised to gently exercise the lower back to effectively alleviate symptoms, avoid strenuous exercise or prolonged bending and heavy physical labor. It's best to strictly rest on a firm mattress, perform warm-up activities for the lower back, and undergo appropriate physical therapy and massage. Consuming blood-activating and pain-relieving medications can also help. Typically, symptoms will gradually ease over 7-10 days. Although light activity for lumbar muscle strain is acceptable, engaging in exercise is not recommended. Rest is necessary, and a general rest period of about half a month will gradually reduce symptoms. Recurrences are common, so it is important to regularly care for your lower back by avoiding activities such as bending to lift heavy objects, carrying heavy loads, etc., as these can easily lead to repetitive strain injuries of the back muscles.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 4sec

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How to relieve pain from lumbar muscle strain?

Lumbar muscle strain, if the pain is severe, can usually be alleviated using the following methods. First and foremost, during the acute phase, what is primarily needed? First, you need to rest and immobilize, mainly ceasing some activities and ideally lying on a hard bed in a supine position with hips and knees flexed. Secondly, for the painful area, you can apply appropriate physiotherapy. This includes traditional Chinese massage and acupuncture. Thirdly, if there are specific fixed painful points, you might consider blockade therapy. Fourthly, when the pain is particularly severe and affects your work and rest, you can take some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Additionally, use some stimulating medicines or stimulating liniments. If the pain severely impacts your mood and work, you might also consider some sedatives. Fifthly, you can use some external or internal traditional Chinese medicine, which is usually very effective in managing pain.

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Written by Cheng Bin

Orthopedics

45sec

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How long do you need to rest for a lumbar muscle strain?

Usually, patients with lumbar muscle strain need to actively rest and protect themselves for about seven to ten days to recover. However, during this period, they must actively cooperate with the treatment. Otherwise, if they continue to perform heavy physical labor, or are exposed to cold, the recovery time is unpredictable and may be prolonged. For such patients, local treatments such as hot compresses, massages, light therapy, and acupuncture can be used to promote the absorption of local creatine kinase. Additionally, they can use topical ointments that invigorate the blood and remove stasis, and take oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Cheng Bin

Orthopedics

59sec

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How to care for a strained lumbar muscle

For patients with lumbar muscle strain, the following care measures should be taken: 1. Regularly wear a waist support to protect the lumbar spine. It is best to sleep on a hard bed, avoid excessive weight-bearing walking, avoid long periods of sitting or standing, and avoid excessively bending over to lift heavy objects. These measures can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of lumbar muscle strain. 2. Avoid cold and damp environments. Actively apply local heat treatments, using a salt bag or hot water bag for heat application twice a day, each time for more than half an hour for more noticeable effects. 3. Combine with some strength methods, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping, which are more beneficial for improving the patient's clinical symptoms. 4. Actively apply topical ointments that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis; gradual recovery can be expected.