What to Do When You Strain Your Low Back
If you feel a sharp pain in your lower back while bending or lifting something heavy, you have just sprained your back. Most of these “sprain/strain” injuries are limited to muscle, ligaments and tendons and can resolve 100% over time if managed properly; the more unfortunate people experience disc herniations which in some cases require surgery.
After the injury, you will not be able to move your back very well, and it will feel very stiff. You may even be locked in a “crooked” position. Some people fall on the floor, in severe pain. You see, your nervous system detected the onset of injury and automatically splinted your supportive back muscles to prevent further movement and injury. We all know this as a muscle spasm.
Generally, sprains refer to injuries to muscle; strains refer to injury to a tendon or ligament. Tendons connect muscles to bone; ligaments connect bone to bone, forming a joint. But in most cases, all three tissue types are injured simultaneously.
The injured tissues release a host of inflammatory substances. These substances play an important role in tissue healing and are necessary. However, inflammation is what causes swelling, stiffness and pain; and sometimes inflammation gets a bit out of control (hyper-reacts). Lowering the temperature with ice can keep inflammation in check. Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Motrin, which chemically disrupt the natural and necessary inflammatory process may reduce the pain, but can interfere with the tissue healing process and may even prolong it.
It is best to ice your back for 20 minutes every two hours, starting immediately after the injury. Place a frozen gel pack under your back, with a kitchen towlette to prevent iceburn. Lie on your back on a firm surface, and prop your legs up over some pillows. Keep doing this for 2-3 days until the swelling has subsided.
Getting chiropractic adjustments to your lower back can help accelerate the healing process. The adjustments are done very light during the acute stage. The purpose is to re-introduce movement to the lumbar vertebra, which will help with fluid exchange (debris removal and oxygenated blood delivery) allowing the injury site to heal faster. A series of adjustments are prescribed, and when the patient is out of pain, exercises are prescribed to strengthen the weakened muscle.
Dan Perez, DC
San Ramon Chiropractor
(925) 788-6253
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