A strain is an injury to the muscles. A Lumbar Strain is an injury to muscles surrounding the lower back and pelvis, usually resulting in the muscles being over stretched and possibly torn.
A sprain is the over – stretching of a ligament. A Lumbar Sprain is an injury to the ligaments that help support the lower back and pelvis, usually resulting in them being over stretched and possibly torn.
Sprains / strains can be graded in severity of 1, 2 or 3 starting with 1 being a simple over – stretching of the soft tissue to 3 being severe tear or rupture of the soft tissue.
The lower back is normally exposed to increased stress and tension due to its weight-bearing function and involvement in moving, twisting and bending. When the lumbar spine is strained or sprained, the soft tissues are over stretched and possibly torn leading to inflammation of the tissues. This inflammation results in pain and possible further muscle spasm and stiffness in the back, buttocks and legs.
Pain can be aggravated by bending, stretching, coughing, sneezing or other strenuous activities.
Causes of Lumbar Sprain/Strain
Low back strains/sprains can be caused by,
Direct Trauma
- Sports Injuries
- Falls
- Motor Vehicle Accident
- Poor Bending Technique
- Lifting Heavy Objects
Postural Overuse, Fatigue and Repetitive Movement Trauma
- Intrinsic: Altered Biomechanics / Muscle Imbalances / Leg Length Inequality / Poor Core Stability / Overweight
- Extrinsic: Prolonged Sitting / Driving
Sign and Symptoms of Lumbar Sprain/Strain
The most common symptoms of a lumbar strain or sprain are,
• Pain around the low back and upper buttocks (sometimes posterior thigh and groin)
• Low back muscle spasm
• Stiffness and decreased mobility
• Pain on touch and possible local swelling
• Pain associated with activities, and generally relieved with rest
80% of the population struggle with pain at one point or another. And it can be very debilitating. However, our Liverpool Chiropractor can help you with a tailor made programme to suit you and your lifestyle. Contact us to book an appointment for fast , effective pain relief.
