Back Strain

*A strain is a muscle or tendon injury; a sprain is a ligament injury.

Back strain is also referred to as pulled back muscles.

Simple strains are the most common cause of back pain, especially lower back pain. Muscle strain is often caused by overuse of a muscle or overloading a muscle. When a muscle is stressed beyond its limits, injury occurs.

A muscle strain (or pulled muscle) is an overstretched or torn muscle. With injury comes inflammation, which is part of the healing process. Inflammation causes pain and can also trigger muscle spasms. The severity of a muscle strain can range from mild to severe.

Back Muscle Strain may be Caused by Overload

Strained back muscles can occur when the back is overloaded - such as when lifting something too heavy. Weak muscles are more easily overloaded and injured than strong muscles, but any muscle can be overloaded.

Poor lifting techniques as well as lifting objects that are too heavy can overload the back and cause strained back muscles. Falling down or an unexpected twisting of the back can also cause pulled back muscles.

Though the pain is usually caused by overstretching or tearing of back muscles, sometimes an irritated spinal joint triggers muscle spasms around the joint.

Back Muscle Strain may be Caused by Overuse

Back pain often occurs when a muscle contraction is held too long. The body is made to move. When one position is held too long, the back muscles get fatigued and strained. Switching positions shift the workload to another group of muscles, preventing one muscle group from becoming fatigued.

Doing too many repetitive movements can cause muscle strain from overuse. Increasing back exercises too quickly can also cause back pain due to overuse injuries.

Poor posture also cause the muscles to have to work harder to support the spine, which leads to fatigue, strain, and back pain.

The lower back is most commonly strained, as the lower back must support the weight of the upper body, whether standing or sitting.

Symptoms of Back Muscle Strain

Symptoms of pulled back muscles include back pain and muscle weakness and sometimes back muscle spasms. The back pain may be sudden, but usually comes on gradually.

The muscles stiffen or spasm to reduce motion to prevent further injury. Muscle injuries cause inflammation - a part of the healing process. Inflammation may trigger muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are more likely to be a problem for the first couple of days after an injury - when inflammation is at its worst. Though not serious, back muscle spasms can cause significant pain. Inflammation also causes pain.

Back Strain Prognosis

Healing time depends on the severity of the strain. Mild muscle strains usually heal within two weeks. Moderate muscle strains may take six to eight weeks to heal.

Back Strain Treatment

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Back Sprain

A back sprain is a ligament injury.

The severity of a sprain can range from mild to severe.

Back Sprain may be Caused by an Accident or Fall.

Sudden movements can cause injury to the ligaments because the muscles don't have time to react - e.g. in a fall or car accident. The muscles don't contract enough to keep the spine within its normal range of motion, causing ligaments to stretch or tear.

Acute pain can result from a back sprain. The pain may also gradually get worse over a couple of days as inflammation develops.

Symptoms of Back Sprain

Minor back sprains (slight tearing or overstretching of a ligament) cause minor back pain and swelling with little or no bruising. Moderate back sprains cause moderate back pain and swelling with bruising. Severe back sprains cause severe back pain, swelling and bruising and make it almost impossible to move. Like back strain, back sprains may trigger back muscle spasms.

Back Sprain Prognosis

Healing time depends on the severity of the sprain. Most back sprains heal in six to eight weeks but it can take several months for complete recovery from a severe back sprain. Ligaments take longer to heal than muscles.

Back Sprain Treatment

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Treatment of Back Strain and Sprain

Back pain caused by muscle or ligament injury will usually resolve without any special treatment within 2 weeks to 2 months.

However, some people experiencing recurring back strain, which often can be prevented.

Treating Pain and Inflammation

Temporary relief of back pain may be obtained with pain / anti-inflammatory medications and applying heat and cold. Relief from pain and inflammation from pulled back muscles / ligaments can be obtained by applying ice to the injury (wrap ice in cloth - do not apply ice directly to skin) for 15 to 20 minutes every 4 hours for two or three days. The cold helps reduce pain and inflammation and is also a distraction from the back pain. After four or five days, providing the inflammation has subsided, applying heat for 15 or 20 minutes at a time may be beneficial. Heat increases blood flow and helps relax tight back muscles. (Pain can cause muscles to tighten or spasm).

NOTE: Do not apply heat or cold if you have circulation problems or nerve damage unless recommended by your physician.

Your doctor may prescribe pain medications that contain codeine and/or muscle relaxants to relieve severe acute back pain, especially for the first week after the injury.

Drinking plenty of water is important to flush out the acidic byproducts of muscular activity that can accumulate and irritate the muscles.

Tip: To avoid aggravating back pain, 'roll' out of bed: bend your legs at your knees and hips and roll on your side. Push yourself up with your arms as you hang your lower legs over the side of the bed.

Other Pain Treatments

There are many methods to relieve pain, loosen tight back muscles, and speed healing - massage therapy, hydrotherapy, etc. See Back Pain Treatments and Complementary Back Pain Treatments for more options.

Exercise after Back Strain or Sprain?

Bed rest will actually delay recovery. But you could restrain injured muscles by rushing into an exercise program before healing has taken place. Maintain daily activities. Gentle stretching exercises for the back increase circulation to the muscles to speed healing, relieve tight muscles and help increase mobility.

Save the strengthening exercises until your back pain has gone or as recommended by your doctor or physical therapist. If you are unsure as to what exercises are safe or when to begin them, a physical therapist can create a personalized exercise program for you to follow. See Post-injury exercise.

Back Strain Prevention

Many people who experience recurring back pain have weak core muscles - the muscles that support the back. Strengthening these muscles can prevent back strain from recurring, though the time for strength exercises is after the back pain has resolved. See Back Exercises. Increase back exercises gradually to avoid overuse injuries.

Back Strain is often preventable with proper posture habits, lifting techniques, and back exercises. See Back Pain Prevention.

Click here to download the Back Strain Guide

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