Your low back was pulled. That familiar, sharp, shooting pain was felt in your low back. This can often be a sign of a muscle strain or “pulled muscle” What should you do? There are many ways to handle a pull. We’ve compiled a list of our most popular questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs
Exercise, rest, or stretch?
You can rest from any activity that may have caused the muscle strain. It is possible to gently stretch the affected area, but it is important to be gentle. Do not sit, bend, lift heavy, twist, or drive as these can all make the pain worse. It is best to give the area in pain rest for at least 24 hours. To reduce the pain’s severity and duration, gentle stretching can be done.
Heat or Ice?
It is best to avoid the heat during the first two days following an injury. If there is no broken skin around the injury, you can apply ice to it for 20 minutes every 1- 2 hours. You don’t need a special ice pack. Ice can also be put in a bag. Intermittent icing is a good option to reduce pain and muscle spasms.
What can you do to prevent it from happening again?
The back muscles that have been pulled need to heal. But what can you do? A gentle 10-minute stretching program can be incorporated into your daily routine to help tight muscles become more flexible and less susceptible to injury. It may seem counterintuitive but core exercises can strengthen your core and prevent low back pain. You can also prevent injury or muscle strain by paying attention to your posture. Your posture when you sleep is also important. A neutral spine is the goal. To force your knees to bend, if you are sleeping on your back, place a pillow underneath your knees. You can also place a pillow between your knees if you are sleeping on your back. These pillows relieve pressure from the spine and spinal muscles.
This blog entry is intended to answer frequently asked questions regarding acute pulled muscles in your low back. Most pulled muscles will resolve themselves. If you feel your pain is not under control or doesn’t show any signs of resolution after a sudden injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
This article was written by a medical professional at Florida Medical Pain Management. Florida Medical Pain Management is proud to offer St Pete Pain Management to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.
