Treatment of Back Strain

Treatment of Back Strain (Also applies to back sprain)
Back pain caused by muscle or ligament injury will usually resolve without any special treatment within 2 weeks (for mild strains) to 2 months.

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.

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.

There are also complementary treatments to help relieve pain, loosen tight back muscles, and speed healing - massage therapy, hydrotherapy, etc.


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.