Back muscle strain can have severe to mild pain. In most cases, back muscle strain can heal within a few hours or days and will not cause you long-term problems. If the pain caused by back muscle strain continues for more than one or two weeks and is severe enough to interfere with daily activities, you will need to see a doctor. What are the symptoms? Usually the symptoms you feel following this complication are as follows: ### Feeling pain Muscle tension causes pain and stiffness in the lower back. The pain that is accompanied by a feeling of heat in the affected area and tingling is due to the stimulation of the nerve root, not due to stretching of the muscles. ### Pain worse with movement If a strain has occurred, certain movements that activate the affected muscles will make the pain worse. For example, you notice that the pain worsens when you get up from a sitting position, bend forward, or when you try to get out of bed. ### Pain in lower back area Usually the pain is felt in the lower back, you may even feel the pain in the buttock area; Because these muscles help support the back. Rarely, you will feel pain like sciatica pain that travels down the legs. ### Stiffness or difficulty walking With muscle strain in the back, normal movements are limited and movements such as bending, changing position, standing or walking for long periods of time are difficult. ### Inflammation and sensitivity There is a possibility of inflammation and tenderness when the back muscles are stretched. If spasms and back cramps occur it can lead to severe pain and limit mobility; Because the injured area in the back swells for several days. ### Pain relief at rest By resting, this possibility is given to the back muscles to reduce spasm and tension. For example, when you sit, you should raise your legs, or when you lie on the bed or on the floor, you should be in a position where the knees are slightly elevated, this way, the pain will temporarily decrease. One of the most important factors that cause back muscle strain pain is muscle spasm. Usually pain caused by muscle strain occurs suddenly and can be caused by a specific activity. Usually, severe pain following this complication will improve within one to two weeks. What is the cause of back muscle strain? It is possible to develop this condition suddenly due to an injury or it may occur over time due to excessive activity and repetitive movements. A sudden injury to a muscle can cause damage to a tendon or ligament, this is referred to as an acute muscle strain. Usually, such injuries occur as a result of a sudden impact and following activities such as lifting heavy objects or excessive pressure on the spine. Chronic strains are caused by repetitive activities and eventually cause excessive stretching or tearing of the muscle. Chronic muscle strain is more common in athletes or people who have hard physical jobs. Effective factors in stretching the lower back muscles Most of the time, back strains occur during daily activities such as exercising or at work. It is one of the common and dangerous causes of such substances: ### Lifting heavy objects Pressure caused by lifting heavy objects, lifting objects from above the head, twisting the spine, etc. are common causes of back muscle strain. To avoid this complication, you should take the device close to the chest and avoid turning the upper part of the body. ### sudden blow Sudden blows can put severe pressure on the back muscles. For example, with dynamic sports such as polo or football, there may be a lot of pressure on the joints and muscles. Other factors such as traffic accidents or falls are other common cases. ### repetitive movements Repeated movements cause muscle stiffness or tearing. Sports such as sailing or golf cause chronic pressure due to repeated movements. Chronic strain becomes painful over time, or if you have a history of muscle pain that is then strained, the pain may suddenly worsen. ### Improper body position, weak back and abdominal muscles If the back and abdominal muscles are weak, the lower back will be more prone to injury. For example, bending forward puts a lot of pressure on the spine and back muscles. Also, tight hamstring muscles will put a lot of pressure on the back over time. ### Start a new activity Sometimes, when starting a new activity or exercise, it may put a sudden pressure on a muscle or several muscles, which eventually leads to muscle stretching. Other factors are also effective in increasing the risk of back muscle strain, including smoking or any other nicotine, limitation of the range of motion of the back or stiffness and obesity. How is it diagnosed? Usually by mentioning the medical history and also performing physical examinations, it is possible to help to diagnose muscle strain in the lower back area. ### Medical history The doctor asks the patient to explain about the symptoms, when they occur, how they started, and if necessary, he will ask you about your sleeping habits, medical issues, and the sports you do. ### Physical examinations The examination will be done to check the range of motion and flexibility of the back, hip muscles or hamstrings. Nerve root stimulation is also checked with the leg lift test to rule out possible complications such as spinal stenosis or disc herniation. Rarely, the doctor considers it necessary to perform imaging such as X-ray or MRI, they recommend doing it only when the patient suspects a fracture or hernia. X-rays are taken first, and if there is any doubt, they will finally recommend an MRI. What is the treatment for back muscle strain? It usually has simple treatment solutions and patients are cured in a short period of time. Your doctor may advise you to exercise for a long time or have ergonomic changes. At the beginning of the treatment, no invasive measures should be taken, the treatment steps should start with simple solutions, and if there is no treatment, aggressive measures should be taken. ### primary treatments In most cases, back muscle strain can be treated with proper self-care or non-invasive treatment methods. Some of the treatment methods that are considered for patients in the first stage are as follows: #### Anti-inflammatory drugs (NASIDs) Medicines such as naproxen and ibuprofen help reduce inflammation and lead to pain relief; But you must take it under the supervision of a doctor. #### Over-the-counter pain relievers You can minimize the pain by taking acetaminophen; But you should not overdo it. Be sure to take this class of drugs with the doctor's advice. #### muscle relaxant Muscle relaxants are recommended in the short term to reduce muscle spasms. Most of these relaxants do not directly affect the muscles, in fact, they reduce pain by affecting the pain receptors in the central nervous system. These drugs should also be used with caution, otherwise it will cause many side effects. #### Cold compress Using a cold compress helps reduce inflammation. Place cold compress packs on the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes at regular intervals throughout the day. #### Warm compress Using a warm compress helps to increase blood circulation, which ultimately reduces muscle tension and accelerates the healing process. It is usually recommended to use a warm compress about 48 hours after the injury. Using this compress before starting the activity can be very helpful. For example, using this compress for 10 minutes before getting out of bed helps reduce stiffness. #### massage therapy With massage, blood circulation increases and helps to relax muscles. Finally, the range of motion improves and the pain caused by back muscle strain decreases. By massaging, endorphins are released in the body, which is very effective in reducing pain. This method of treatment for back muscle pain is very effective and useful. #### walk Being active during the day is very important for the function and health of the spine. even a short walk; But repeatedly it can bring a good result. Walking for 3 to 5 minutes several times a day helps to reduce back stiffness and ultimately reduces pain. #### Fix some activities Avoiding vigorous activity or heavy lifting when you have severe back pain will go a long way in preventing muscle damage and back pain from getting worse. Sometimes, according to your condition, it is recommended to take a short rest period. More than one or two days of rest is not recommended; Because the inactivity of the muscles itself will worsen the condition, dryness and stiffness. These things that we have mentioned for you are just a few of the effective and non-invasive treatment methods that can have a good therapeutic effect. How can it be prevented? Measures you can consider to prevent this complication are as follows: - Have a healthy and balanced diet to keep your bones and muscles strong. - You should keep your weight in a healthy range. Excess weight puts a lot of pressure on the back. - Exercise regularly and do stretching exercises to keep joints flexible and muscles in good shape. - Consider safety measures to prevent falls, such as wearing appropriate shoes. - When sitting, standing and lifting, you must have a good posture. For example, try to keep your back straight and shoulders back. - When sitting, bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the ground. - Avoid smoking; Because nicotine in the blood stream causes disorders in the muscles.