What To Do For A Pulled Muscle in Back
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Pulled Muscle In Back
A pulled muscle in the back can be quite a painful and annoying experience. This could have been caused by overstretching or simply a torn back muscle. When the back muscle becomes strained, it is often referred to as a pulled back muscle.
The Causes of a Pulled Back Muscle
Typically, when the back is overloaded with too much weight, it becomes strained, resulting in a pulled back muscle. Another cause of a pulled muscle in the back is overstretching. Many people stretch improperly and as a result, injure themselves.
Overusing a muscle also causes much pain. When the muscle is stretched too much it results in injury to the muscle. Improper posture, while working on a computer or watching T.V. can result in such pain and discomfort.
Another common cause of a pulled muscle in the back is overuse. When you overuse a muscle, it is almost guaranteed there will be at least some pain as a consequence. If you stretch a muscle too much, it can also result in injury.
One of the most common causes of pulled back muscles is bad posture while sitting at the computer for hours or watching television. It is important that you have proper posture while doing these activities.
Tip: Recent studies have shown that the best posture for sitting at the computer is at a 135-degree angle.
Other causes of a pulled muscle in the back:
- Improper lifting, lifting too heavy.
- An unpredicted rotation of the back.
- Falling down.
- Sitting in one position too long.
The symptoms
Here are some symptoms you may experience if you have a pulled back muscle:
- The weakness of the Muscle
- Back muscle spasms
- general back pain
- Stiffness in the back muscle
How to Treat a Pulled Muscle in The Back
- Support your back!
The first thing you need to do if you have pulled a back muscle is to make sure it gets adequate support. Failure to do this may worsen the pain and cause more discomfort. Once the back is adequately supported, it will reduce the pain and inflammation.
- Massage
massage is a great way to relieve the tension and stiffness in the pulled back muscle.
- Apply Ice to the Area
Applying ice within 2 days of the injury can benefit you greatly. Also, have someone massage your back with ice to ease the pain.
- Heat
Heat therapy is an alternative to cold therapy. It is recommended to do both treatments.
- Vitamins/Herbal
Giving your body proper nutrition with vitamins is important to accelerate the healing process. Your body needs nutrients in order to perform in the best way possible.
- Light Exercising and Stretching
In order to strengthen the back muscles, light exercise can help. Gentle stretching can also help heal the affected area.
How long does it take to heal?
Generally, it can take up to 6 weeks to fully recover from a pulled muscle in the back. This really depends on the severity of the pulled muscle.
Relieve and Fix A Pulled Back Muscle
There are 3 Steps to Treat a Pulled Muscle in Back:
- See a doctor
First off, it is highly recommended that you consult with your doctor or personal trainer about your pulled muscle before carrying out these options on your own.
- Rest and Relaxation
When you are relaxing your lower back, a heating pad can help relieve the pain by creating circulation in the affected area. This will allow your back to be able to move much more efficiently.
- Lower Back Supporting Muscle Exercises
When you pull a muscle in your lower back, the muscle is strained. Therefore, you do not want to stretch your lower back because it’s already strained. Instead, you should focus on the muscles around your lower back. You want to keep the surrounding muscles flexible because it will help compensate the lower back pain.
What To Do For A Pulled Muscle in Back, Last Updated: 9/11/2017
