How to treat lumbar muscle strain

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on January 05, 2025
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Patients with lumbar muscle strain are primarily caused by long-term engagement in heavy physical activities involving the waist, poor posture, chronic strain, etc. The main symptoms include lower back pain and restricted movement, which alleviate after rest and worsen after physical exertion. To manage lumbar muscle strain, it is crucial first to rest and develop correct habits for using the lower back, avoiding long-term engagement in heavy physical activities of the waist while also paying attention to techniques used. If symptoms are severe, medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used, along with adjunct treatments like heat therapy, massage, or block therapy. These methods can actively contribute to symptom improvement and recovery. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor to avoid blind self-medication.)

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
49sec home-news-image

Can acupuncture be used for lumbar muscle strain?

Yes, and the effect of acupuncture is very good for the treatment of lumbar muscle strain. At the same time, it should also be known that the treatment of lumbar muscle strain is not just about acupuncture treatment. The most important thing is that the cause of lumbar muscle strain is due to fatigue, and the main cause of the disease must be removed to cure the disease fundamentally. Therefore, patients with lumbar muscle strain, in addition to acupuncture, must pay attention to rest and avoid fatigue. If after the acupuncture, the pain is relieved, and then you continue to do heavy physical work, the lumbar muscle strain will recur and will become increasingly severe. Therefore, in general, after acupuncture, it is still recommended to avoid fatigue and pay attention to rest.

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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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Written by Zhang Ying Peng
Orthopedics
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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 Li Jie
Orthopedics
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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.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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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.