When I was in the gym a couple of days ago I pulled a muscle in my lower back which I can’t deny has been pretty painful and very restricting in terms of carrying out normal daily activities. Getting out of bed, putting shoes on, walking, and movement in general, suddenly all became very difficult, exhausting and frustrating.
Lower back pain is acute damage to the muscles and ligaments of the back, often referred to as a “pulled” muscle”. The back is supported by many muscles which hold and support the spine and which form your “core” muscles. These muscles assist in bending and flexing the spine, as well as twisting movements. Muscle strain occurs when the muscle has been overstretched or torn, damaging the muscle fibres.
The symptoms of damage to this area are sudden onset of pain (for example, immediately after lifting something heavy, or a sudden movement, even sneezing or coughing), and the pain is localised but doesn’t radiate into the leg. The general area also feels very tender. In worst cases, the pain is accompanied by spasm, and I can’t even tell you how excruciating this feels, having experienced it a couple of years ago!
So, what can you do to relieve the back pain? Initially, the best things you can do are ice, heat and pain relief, and obviously accept that you need to give your body time to recover and repair. This was the hardest part for me as it’s very frustrating not to be able to carry on life as normal. I also did visualisation exercises and Reiki for an added boost!
Massage therapy will help a lot, but I would not use it for in the early stages of the injury when the area is inflamed (the first 24 – 48 hours), however, after the initial injury it can really assist with pain relief and the healing process. Massage therapy has also proven to be very effective in chronic conditions. It will increase the blood flow and circulation to the damaged muscles, which are all really important for the healing process. In my massage therapies, I also massage to help ease tension in other areas of soft tissues that have been compensating for the injured area.
If you’ve been unfortunate enough to have experienced a pulled muscle or soft tissue injury, my therapies are tailored to you as my client. At your session we will discuss other issues that may have contributed to the injury, such as your lifestyle, jobs or hobbies. We will carry out a postural assessment, discuss the massage treatment plan for the session and discuss exercises that you can carry out at home after the massage to rehab, retrain and prevent the problem from recurring. Yes! You get homework too!
Over 16 million people suffer from back pain in the UK.
Unintentional overdose on paracetemol for pain relief is one of the most common forms of liver failure.
To make an appointment click on Appointments, call me on 07890 202052 or email tracy@bealigned.co.uk.
Disclaimer: While I make every effort to publish correct information, I am still learning. I double check all my facts and present my own views. I welcome any comments, suggestions, or feedback. By reading the information on my website, you agree not to use it as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Please refer to your own doctor for any medical issues that you may have. Be Aligned does not take any responsibility for any damages arising outside my practice.