Risks Of Muscle Strain Treatment
There are very few risks of treating a muscle strain. However, theres a small chance of taking too many painkillers or leaving an ice pack on the skin for too long. Always follow dosage instructions on all prescription or over-the-counter medications. Use a barrier such as a towel between an ice pack and your skin. Allow your skin to warm up in between icing intervals.
Surgery to repair a torn muscle carries certain risks. These can include:
- bleeding
Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis
Stenosis means narrowing, and lumbar spinal canal stenosis is narrowing of the space available for nerves in the lumbar spine. Narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal can put pressure on the nerves, which may cause back pain, pain down the sciatic nerve, numbness and weakness of the legs.
If you have lumbar spinal canal stenosis you may have no symptoms. Or you may have low back pain that radiates to the buttocks and legs, or just leg pain. The pain often occurs when you stand or walk. Spinal stenosis tends to affect older people rather than younger people.
What Does Sciatica Pain Feel Like
People describe sciatica pain in different ways, depending on its cause. Some people describe the pain as sharp, shooting, or jolts of pain. Others describe this pain as burning, “electric or stabbing.
The pain may be constant or may come and go. Also, the pain is usually more severe in your leg compared to your lower back. The pain may feel worse if you sit or stand for long periods of time, when you stand up and when your twist your upper body. A forced and sudden body movement, like a cough or sneeze, can also make the pain worse.
Recommended Reading: Advil Vs Ibuprofen For Back Pain
Diagnosing And Treating Piriformis Syndrome
Getting to the root of your back and leg pain requires the knowledge and training of a specialist. Patients who visit The Spine Institute of Southeast Texas receive a thorough evaluation, including a physical exam and imaging tests. Signs of nerve inflammation when the hip is flexed or externally rotated help confirm a piriformis syndrome diagnosis.
Relieving compression on the sciatic nerve is key to achieving relief from piriformis syndrome symptoms. Treatment often begins with physical therapy. A physical therapist works with you to perform stretching exercises that ease the tension in the piriformis muscle. In piriformis syndrome, the piriformis muscle is often contracted and shortened.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids can ease pain and inflammation. Patients who continue to experience painful symptoms may be referred for surgery. Dr. Jones II specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery.
Surgery for piriformis syndrome involves relieving the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Restoring space for the sciatic nerve improves blood supply to the nerve so that it has a chance to regenerate.
A Tight Piriformis Can Be Caused By Vigorous Exercise Or An Accident
Vivian Eisenstadt is a Los Angeles-based physical therapist who specializes in pain prevention.
Think of your body as a pulley system, she says. Muscles cross joints and connect bone to bone, and pull the bones in one direction. If one muscle is too tight, then it creates strain on the next joint over on both sides.
A tight piriformis from slouching in a chair with your hips rotated outward puts a lot of strain on your low back and makes your hips so tight that you create an imbalance in the entire system.
Piriformis syndrome isnt always caused by inactivity. It can occur after an accident or even after vigorous activity such as running.
The key to a successful piriformis stretch is sitting up straight, says Eisenstadt. Whats the use of stretching out a muscle if youre going to keep tightening it back up?
Don’t Miss: Aleve Good For Back Pain
When To Call A Doctor
Consult your doctor if you have back pain thats intense, worrisome, or that doesnt go away with self-care measures. Its also important to call your doctor if your lower back pain is making it hard for you to go about your daily activities.
Most cases of lower back pain on the right side are not medical emergencies. However, dont hesitate to get immediate medical help if you experience back pain thats accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- loss of bladder or bowel function
- sudden, severe pain
- weakness or loss of sensation in your lower body
- pain accompanied by fever, clammy skin, a rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, or any other concerning symptoms
The appropriate treatment for lower back pain emergencies depends on the cause. If the source of the pain isnt obvious, you may need one or more of the following screenings to determine the right course of action:
- an MRI to check your spinal cord, nerve roots, and other soft tissue
- an X-ray to look at your spine and other joints for signs of fracture or other concerns
- blood tests to check for markers of inflammation
If nerve or muscle problems are the cause of lower back on the right, epidural injections of corticosteroids may be necessary if the pain and loss of mobility and function are severe.
If appendicitis is diagnosed and it cant be managed by antibiotics, then emergency surgery to remove the appendix may be necessary.
- nerve compression in your spine
- disc degeneration
- an abdominal aortic aneurysm
- appendicitis
Acute Injury: Treatment Strategies
With an acute injury, that is an injury which has happened recently, for example from a fall, bending and lifting, or even just sneezing, the following advice is useful to help return to normal activity as soon as possible. Keep active! Try to lead as normal a life as possible, avoid sustained positions for long periods. Over the counter pain medication can be used if required. Gradually build up to more active pursuits over a period of time. Most back pain will improve within the first few days and be gone within six weeks. Return to exercise? Generally, returning to moderate exercise is a good thing. Be sure that the exercise is well within your capability and that you avoid any impact type exercise or heavy lifting initially. Concentrate on mobility and stability training. Increase your training regime over a period of weeks, back to your normal routine. Role of physiotherapy If your back pain persists or you are in a lot of pain you should seek the expert advice of a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist will be able to provide you with a thorough assessment and examination, they will be able to develop a working diagnosis and a treatment plan specific to your needs. If required their treatment approach may include manual therapy techniques, the use of electrotherapy, specific exercise prescription, acupuncture and advice on posture and ergonomics.
Recommended Reading: Aleve And Back Pain
It Can Also Help With Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis
The stretch can also help with symptoms of plantar fasciitis . People with tight piriformis and hamstring muscles often end up walking a duck walk, Eisenstadt says, which puts extra strain on the bottom of their foot.
Fixing the body mechanics of how you walk by stretching your piriformis can not only help alleviate injuries but prevent you from getting them in the first place, she says.
How Long Should I Try Self
Every person with sciatic pain is different. The type of pain can be different, the intensity of pain is different and the cause of the pain can be different. In some patients, a more aggressive treatment may be tried first. However, generally speaking, if a six-week trial of conservative, self-care treatments like ice, heat, stretching, over-the-counter medicines has not provided relief, its time to return to a healthcare professional and try other treatment options.
Other treatment options include:
Read Also: Can Back Pain Cause Leg Weakness
Read Also: Tylenol Or Aleve For Back Pain
What Is The Healing Time For A Lower Back Strain
Luckily for you, most pulled or strained lower back muscles heal on their own over time. Similar to the severity of symptoms, recovery time from a strained muscle depends on each individual. Typically, it takes around two weeks for an individuals condition to improve.
How can I tell if my lower back pain is muscular? Symptoms of pulled muscle in lower back your back hurting more when you move, less when you stay still. pain in your back radiating down into your buttocks but not typically extending into your legs. muscle cramps or spasms in your back. trouble walking
Lower Left Back Pain For Males
Males are not exempted when it comes to gender-exclusive lower left back pain problems. Men can develop inflammation of their epididymitis, which is the duct behind the testes. Common factors that set off this inflammation are viral or bacterial infections. Physical trauma can do this as well. This condition happens mostly to men 20 to 30 years old, but it can happen to males of any age. Antibiotics are the treatment for this bacteria, but more severe cases will require surgery in order to drain or remove the epididymitis.
Theres also testicular cancer, a condition that develops in about 1 out of every 250 males, according to the American Cancer Society. Lower back pain is one of the symptoms of this disease, accompanied by pain in the testicles, dull ache in the abdomen, groin pain, and a lump in one or both testicles. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Read Also: Will Aleve Help Back Pain
Youre Having Problems With Your Bowels Or Urination
If your back pain is paired with a loss of control over your bowels or urination, then its time to seek help immediately at a local emergency room. These symptoms point to cauda equina syndrome, where the nerves in the lower spine have become paralyzed. While rare, this syndrome can be permanently damaging to the nerves if left untreated. If you experience these symptoms, especially accompanied by numbness in the legs, then you may need surgery to decompress the nerves and preserve their overall function.
Recommended Reading: Advil Or Tylenol For Back Pain
What Are The Causes Of Lower Back Pain Above The Buttocks
Lower back pain is one of the most common ailments affecting patients in the western world. The causes of lower back pain can vary and usually are indicative of lifestyle, posture, and activity level. Pain in the lumbar region, although common, is a frequent cause of missed work and hospital visits. While most back pain resolves itself at some point, those who suffer with chronic lower back pain or pain that is sharp and urgent may begin to suspect an underlying cause. If you are suffering from lower back pain above the buttocks, here are some of the most frequent causes of the condition.
Recommended Reading: How Does A Diuretic Help Back Pain
Low Back Pain Feldenkrais
Causes Of Lower Back And Buttocks Pain Natrual Relief For Herniated Disk Back Pain Stiff Lower Back Pain When I Wake Up, Lower Back Pain Spondylosis Pain On Right Lower Back Next To My Spine Upper Back Pain Albertson New York.
Age And Lower Back Pain Lower Back Pain And Middle Abdominal Pain Bleeding In Stool. Lower Back Pain Stiff Neck Upper Back Pain Sign Of Pregnancy Peptic Ulcers Lower Back Pain. Sharp Stabbing Pain In Back Upper Stomach Relieved Sitting Up Chronic Low Back Pain Aafp.
During Your Exam Your Doctor Will:
- Look at your posture and range of motion
- Note any movement that causes pain
- Examine the curvature and alignment of your spine
- Feel for muscle spasm
- Check your sensation
- Test your reflexes and muscle strength
Your doctor may order a plain x-ray, CT scan or MRI. The CT scan or MRI provides the doctor with many snapshots of your spine, and can help confirm a suspected diagnosis. The findings of an imaging test are compared to the information the doctor gathers during the taking of your medical history, and physical and neurological examination results. An accurate diagnosis is one of the first steps in determining the best treatment options.
Recommended Reading: Does Motrin Help With Back Pain
Lower Back Or Buttock
A common cause of pain in the lower back or buttock region is a condition called sciatica. Sciatic pain often radiates from the lower back down through the buttock and leg. Many patients who stick to a regular program of gentle exercises and physical therapy have great results recovering from sciatic pain and preventing future episodes.
Piriformis syndrome is considered a neuromuscular disorder occurring when the piriformis muscles force compression upon the sciatic nerve. Runners tend to experience injuries to the piriformis because of the repetitive back and forth shifting of their body weight while running. The pain may be felt in the buttocks or it may present itself as pain traveling down the back of the leg. The sciatic nerve has various branches for pain to travel along, which may make it hard to diagnose. Another cause of lower back pain, buttock pain, hip pain or even leg pain may be attributed to dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint . The symptoms of an SI joint dysfunction may feel very similar to pain caused by sciatica.
Relieve Muscle Pain At Top Of Buttock Crack When Sitting Step :
Break up and disrupt the tightness in the muscle via deep tissue massage. This step will potentially relieve all of the pain while giving some mobility back to the muscle. A personalized tool crafted specifically for this step is the QL Claw. This tool is great for digging into the muscle with maximum comfortability and effectiveness. The QL Claw is uniquely designed to release the Piriformis, Gluteus Medius, and the Quadratus Lumborum muscles. Below is a video on how to use this tool on the Gluteus Medius .
Also Check: Aleve For Lower Back Pain
Low Back Pain Fact Sheet
If you have had lower back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Even school-age children can have back pain.
Back pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. It can begin suddenly as a result of an accident or by lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age. Getting too little exercise followed by a strenuous workout also can cause back pain.
There are two types of back pain:
- Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is acute. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear.
- Chronic back pain is defined as pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. Even if pain persists, it does not always mean there is a medically serious underlying cause or one that can be easily identified and treated. In some cases, treatment successfully relieves chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain continues despite medical and surgical treatment.
Accurate Diagnosis Is Key
If your physician examines your hip joint and notes no hip pain, and then examines your back and notes leg pain, the spine is usually the source of the problem. Some people may have localized hip pain without leg pain, but are found to have a normal hip and an abnormal spine. Others may have only leg pain, but are found to have an abnormal hip and a normal spine. Therefore, in addition to a good physical examination, imaging is important. Plain X-rays may be helpful, but sometimes an MRI is needed as well. If imaging does not determine the source of the pain, the next step would typically be to perform an injection of pain-relieving medication directly into the area suspected of causing pain. Whether you get pain relief from the injection can help your physician better understand where the pain is coming from.
You May Like: Will Naproxen Help Back Pain
What Can I Expect If I Have Been Diagnosed With Sciatica
The good news about sciatic pain is that it usually goes away on its own with time and some self-care treatments. Most people with sciatica get better without surgery, and about half of these recover from an episode fully within six weeks.
Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if your sciatica pain is not improving and you have concerns that you arent recovering as quickly as hoped.
Herniated Disk In The Lower Back
The backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae. In between the bones are soft disks filled with a jelly-like substance. These disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. Although people talk about a slipped disk, nothing actually slips out of place. The outer shell of the disk ruptures, and the jelly-like substance bulges out. It may be pressing on a nerve, which is what causes the pain.A slipped disk is more likely to happen due to strain on the back, such as during heavy lifting, and older individuals are at higher risk.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: lower back pain, moderate back pain, back pain that shoots down the leg, back pain that gets worse when sitting, leg weakness
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Recommended Reading: Back Pain Cleveland Clinic