Lower back Pain
This can happen due to improper lifting or a sudden awkward movement. Common causes of low back pain include lumbar strain, nerve irritation, lumbar radiculopathy and conditions of the bone and joints.
Lumbar strain
A lumbar strain is a stretch injury to the ligaments, tendons, and/or muscles of the low back. The stretching incident results in microscopic tears of varying degrees in these tissues. Lumbar strain is considered one of the most common causes of low back pain. The injury can occur because of overuse, improper use, or trauma. Pain is classified as ‘acute’ if it is present for a few days to weeks. Longer lasting pain is classified as ‘chronic’.
Symptoms
The symptoms for lower back pain are a localised discomfort in the area which has occurred after a specific motion or strain to the lumbar tissues. The severity of the injury ranges from mild to severe, depending on the degree of strain and resulting spasm of the muscles of the low back.
Treatment
The first step in the treatment of a lumbar muscle strain is to rest the back in order to avoid re-injury and allow any inflammation to subside. Bed rest should begin soon after injury, but should not continue beyond about 48 hours as this may actually lead to slow recovery. While it is important to rest the injured muscles, it is just as important to not allow the muscle to become weak and stiff. Once the acute inflammation has subsided, a massage from one of our Chartered Physiotherapists will help ease some of the initial muscle discomfort. After this, some simple stretches and exercises should begin. Our Chartered Physiotherapists will set up a personalised stretching and exercise plan for you. By stretching and strengthening the back muscles, you will help control the inflammation and better condition the lumbar back muscles. The exercises should not be painful. Without some simple exercises, the low back muscles can become “de-conditioned,” or weak. When the low back muscles are de-conditioned, it is very difficult to fully recover from low back injuries.
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