Lower Back Strain and Sprain
Not all lower back pain is due to disc herniations. Oftentimes the culprit is muscular pain. The muscles in our lower back are strong, but they are not the strongest in our body. If you have engaged in physical activity that is strenuous for your lower back, then you may suffer from lower back strain. This is when you have over exerted or pulled the muscles in your lower back to the point where they hurt and cause you pain. If you have suffered a back injury but the doctor has ruled out a herniated disc, he or she will likely diagnose you with back strain. Just because you didn’t herniate a disc doesn’t mean the pain is any less, at least in the short term. In fact, sometimes a pulled or strained back can be more painful than a herniated disc.
Symptoms
- Lower back pain
- Lower back stiffness
- Cramps and/or muscle spasms
Immediate Treatment
If you strain your back, don’t worry too much. Most people experience a resolution of their symptoms within two weeks! In such a situation, rest and pain management are key. The doctor may even prescribe you muscle relaxants to help with the tightness in your back, or medication to relieve the pain. After you pull or strain your back, you may be tempted to do all kinds of stretching to alleviate the pain. While some light stretching will feel good and be beneficial, avoid doing too much too soon after such an injury. Take a day or two to recover before engaging in intense stretching. A good over the counter painkiller can help alleviate discomfort and inflammation during your initial recovery.
Lower back pain is common enough that you may be tempted to forego treatment by a doctor. Many people opt to heal on their own. However, there are certain symptoms that may first seem like simple lower back pain, but which necessitate immediate medical attention. Be on the lookout for intense abdominal pain, sudden high fever, or loss of bladder or bowel control. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Continued Treatment
While the first round of treatment may be enough to relieve you of your worst symptoms, you may continue to feel some discomfort or pain. In these cases, a doctor may refer you to a physical therapist. With a therapist, there are a variety of treatment options that you can explore, in conjunction with advice or input from your doctor. These include approaches such as pelvic traction, massage and application of heat or cold. Other options include ultrasound, electrical stimulation and stretching. A therapist may also assign you exercises to perform at home. Make sure to follow the routine laid out by your physical therapist.
You may also opt to seek out your own approach to care and management of your condition. Yoga classes, acupuncture, massage and chiropractors are all popular options. However, be careful with some of the alternative options, and make sure that your instructor or practitioner is aware of your condition. Be especially aware with chiropractors. Some people swear by them, and I don’t want to downplay how people feel about their chiropractic treatment. However, chiropractics is far from a proven science, and some chiropractors can do more harm than good.
Moving Forward
Just because you didn’t herniate a disc doesn’t mean you should ignore lower back strain. In fact, preventative action will help you recover from the strain while ensuring that you do not suffer a worse injury in the future. Make sure to stretch, learn how to lift with your legs and not your back and pursue lower back strengthening exercises and you should be on a good path to avoiding a similar injury or worse in the future!
