How to care for a strained lumbar muscle

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on December 28, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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What department should I see for a lumbar muscle strain?

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.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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Lumbar muscle strain is which part?

Lumbar muscle strain, as the name suggests, refers to a group of symptoms of muscle pain in the lumbar region caused by strain. Typically, it occurs in the waist area, around where we usually wear a belt. Generally, the pain is located about 10 to 20 centimeters above the belt area and about 10 centimeters below it. The pain on either side of the lumbar spine in this area is called lumbar muscle strain, which is usually caused by strain in the muscles of the lumbar spine. If the pain is in the central part of the lumbar spine, this type of pain is generally due to inflammation of the supraspinous ligament or tendonitis. Sometimes, it is caused by a herniated lumbar disc, which may not be closely related to lumbar muscle strain. Therefore, we say that pain in the muscles on either side of the waist is called lumbar muscle strain.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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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 Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Can lumbar muscle strain be massaged?

Lumbar muscle strain can be treated with massage if the technique and pressure are appropriate, making it a very important treatment method. Lumbar muscle strain generally involves the muscles which, due to prolonged overload, leads to reduced self-regulatory capacity or chronic aseptic inflammation of the muscle or its attachment points due to poor self-regulation. If the massage technique is correct, it can enhance local blood circulation and accelerate cellular metabolism. This helps in the faster elimination and release of inflammatory substances and pain factors. Moreover, massage can also relax tense muscles, allowing the strained lumbar muscles to rest and the damaged areas to recuperate. Therefore, lumbar muscle strain can indeed benefit from massage, and with the correct techniques, it can have a very effective therapeutic impact.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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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.