How is lumbar muscle strain formed?
Disease description:
I have been feeling uncomfortable in my lower back lately, especially in the lumbar area. It feels sore and swollen, and there's occasional pain. I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with lumbar muscle strain. However, I have been sitting most of the time at work. How does this condition develop?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Lumbar muscle strain, commonly referred to as chronic lumbar myofascial inflammation or functional low back pain, mainly involves chronic injury to the lumbar muscles and fascia. The main causes of lumbar muscle strain include:
1. Acute lumbar sprain: When the lower back suffers an acute sprain and is not treated promptly and effectively, the injured area may fail to heal properly and gradually develop into chronic lumbar muscle strain. Muscle tears and ligament overstretching caused by acute lumbar sprain can all contribute to chronic strain.
2. Cumulative chronic injury: Long-term and repetitive lumbar movements, such as prolonged sitting or standing, bending, and lifting heavy objects, can keep the lumbar muscles in a state of high tension for extended periods. This can lead to muscle fatigue, tissue congestion, spasms, and adhesions, eventually causing lumbar muscle strain. This type of injury often progresses gradually and may go unnoticed, but long-term accumulation can seriously affect the lower back.
3. Poor posture: Prolonged incorrect sitting or standing postures, such as bending and slouching, can cause continuous tension in the lumbar muscles, impair blood circulation, cause accumulation of metabolic products, and subsequently trigger inflammatory responses.
4. Lack of exercise: Insufficient physical activity, especially inadequate strength training for the lumbar muscles, can weaken these muscles, reducing their ability to support the spine effectively and making them more prone to injury during daily activities.
