How to Effectively Treat Lumbar Muscle Strain
May 30, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Ge
Introduction
- Get adequate rest and maintain proper posture. When lying in bed, avoid using a high pillow, as this prevents the lumbar spine from achieving true rest—only the limbs are rested.
- Use medications appropriately. Pharmacological intervention is indicated when symptoms significantly impair daily life and work, especially when sleep is affected.
- Physical therapy. For lumbar muscle strain with pain, patients may seek standard treatments—such as massage—at a reputable hospital.
There are three primary treatment approaches for lumbar muscle strain.
1. Appropriate rest and attention to posture. Pain serves as the body’s self-feedback mechanism—when you feel pain, it signals that your body needs rest; thus, you should not persist in working or other activities while enduring pain. A supportive sofa or chair helps maintain the natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine. The worst sitting posture is forward flexion at approximately 70°: in supine position, the lumbar spine bears 1.0 times its normal load; while standing, the load increases to 1.5 times; and during forward flexion at ~70°, the load rises dramatically to 2.5 times normal. When lying down, avoid using excessively high pillows, which prevent true rest for the lumbar spine and only allow the limbs to rest.
2. Moderate pharmacological therapy. When symptoms severely impair daily life and work—especially sleep—drug intervention becomes necessary. Examples include anti-inflammatory analgesics to relieve symptoms and muscle relaxants to ease muscular tension.
3. Physical therapy. During episodes of lumbar muscle strain–related pain, patients may seek conventional treatments—such as massage—at reputable hospitals. These interventions can effectively alleviate pain, but their effects are typically temporary. When selecting a rehabilitation specialist or massage clinic, ensure the facility is licensed and staffed by qualified professionals.
