Pulled Muscle Treatments Using a Combined Chiropractic/Physiotherapy Approach!

Back Exercises as Muscle Strain Treatments

 

As a general rule, people who are active and well-conditioned are much less likely to suffer from low back pain due to muscle strain, as regular exercise stretches the muscles so they are less likely to strain, tear or spasm.
There are three types of muscles that support the spine:

• Extensors (back muscles and gluteal muscles)
• Flexors (abdominal muscles and iliopsoas muscles)
• Obliques or Rotators (side muscles)

While some of these muscles are used in everyday life, most do not get adequate exercise from daily activities and tend to weaken with age unless they are specifically exercised.

• See Back Exercises and Abdominal Exercise Recommendations

A complete exercise program for the low back should consist of a combination of:

• Stretching for Back Pain Relief
• Back Strengthening Exercises
• Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise

Finally, a regular, sustained program of hamstring stretching will help reduce and prevent back muscle tightness and injury. The hamstring muscle runs through the back of each thigh. Tightness in this muscle limits motion in the pelvis which can strain the lower back. Regular hamstring stretching can gradually lengthen these muscles and reduce the stress felt in the lower back.

Fortunately, back muscle strains usually heal with time, with most healing within a few days and almost all resolving within 3 to 4 weeks. The large muscles in the low back have a good blood supply, which bring the necessary nutrients and proteins for healing to take place.
If the lower back muscle pain is severe, the patient may be advised to rest, but for no more than one or two days.

Typical first line treatments include some combination of:

• Chiropractic. Gentle manual manipulation is an option to help loosen tight back muscles and promote healing in the lower back.
• Massage, which can help promote blood flow in the lower back (to help with healing), loosen tight lower back muscles, and release endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.