Which part to massage for lumbar muscle strain?

Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
Updated on January 03, 2025
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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.

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Can you swim with a strained lumbar muscle?

Lumbar muscle strain, as the name implies, is the fatigue damage to the lumbar spine muscles. It is characterized by tension, spasms, and adhesion of the lumbar muscles, sometimes accompanied by disorders of the lumbar facet joints, straightening of the lumbar curvature, and limited lumbar mobility. Swimming is permissible in such cases because the body is in a weightless state while swimming. This condition allows swimming to strengthen the muscles of the lower back and enhance the muscular strength of the lumbar spine, which can help in exercising and alleviating symptoms. Hence, it is said that one with lumbar muscle strain can swim.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Is lumbar muscle strain serious?

For severe lumbar muscle strain, in cases where the strain is not very severe, it usually manifests as the patient primarily experiencing symptoms of soreness and pain in the lower back. For such patients, full recovery is still possible with active cooperation in treatment. First, it is necessary to reduce local irritation by strictly resting and protecting the affected area, which is the best condition for patient recovery. It is important to avoid prolonged sitting or standing, excessive bending or lifting heavy objects. It is advisable to wear a lumbar support belt to protect the lower back and actively apply local treatments such as heat application, massage, acupuncture, and cupping. Additionally, topical application of ointments that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis can also be used. Most patients will gradually recover through these active treatment methods.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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How should lumbar muscle strain be treated?

Patients with lumbar muscle strain mainly suffer from damage to the lumbar muscles due to long-term involvement in heavy physical activity, poor posture, and chronic strain, resulting in symptoms of pain and limited mobility in the lumbar region. If treatment is needed for lumbar muscle strain, it is first important to rest and develop correct habits for using the lumbar region, avoiding prolonged heavy physical activity. Treatment can also include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs in combination with hot compresses, physical therapy, massage, or local blockades. These methods can play a positive role in improving the symptoms of lumbar muscle strain and promoting recovery. Generally speaking, with rest combined with medication and other methods, symptoms can be effectively improved in about two to three weeks (the use of medication should be under the guidance of a physician).

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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.)