“My back is feeling strained. What should I do?”
Every time I bend forward, I feel this strange painful pull in my back. What could be causing this and how can I treat it?
10 Answers
There may be many causes for your pain but based on your brief description it may be secondary to a disc problem in your lower back. If it does not resolve with some rest, stretching and over-the-counter Tylenol or anti-inflammatory medication I would suggest evaluation by your physician, physical therapist or chiropractor.
It is a back strain or osteoarthritis in the back. I would recommend a home exercise stretching and strengthening program for the back with light weights. If no help, then an X-ray and possibly physical therapy.
Muscle spasm - probably from a strained facet joint! Try an anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen, heat, and a massage.
This could be anything from a muscle strain to nerve impingement to arthritis and more. If you have any accompanying neurological changes such as weakness or numbness, you should definitely get evaluated by a spine specialist.
Look up "preactive" at pop-doc.com. It partially depends on how long it has been going on, how it began, and if it has been like this before. Ultimately, it is about getting the feeling to go away as quickly as possible, and then trying to prevent it from ever happening again. Much will depend on what you do on a daily basis.
Much of the success of getting back pain to stay away had to do with the conditioning and strength of your corset. This is the abdominal muscle and lower back muscle tone, condition, and strength. There is no pill or shot that will achieve this; only proper, appropriate exercises will help you achieve these goals. Keeping a decent weight, allowing your body to rest and recover after a workout, staying hydrated, doing thoughtful things with your body (as opposed to thoughtless or careless), and sleeping enough will also help get you pain free and stay pain free.
I hope this helps,
David T. Neuman, MD
Much of the success of getting back pain to stay away had to do with the conditioning and strength of your corset. This is the abdominal muscle and lower back muscle tone, condition, and strength. There is no pill or shot that will achieve this; only proper, appropriate exercises will help you achieve these goals. Keeping a decent weight, allowing your body to rest and recover after a workout, staying hydrated, doing thoughtful things with your body (as opposed to thoughtless or careless), and sleeping enough will also help get you pain free and stay pain free.
I hope this helps,
David T. Neuman, MD
As long as the pain is limited to one area of your back and is not associated with numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your legs, then you have likely pulled a muscle. Using proper lifting technique with hip and knee flexion instead of bending over; doing abdominal muscle strengthening exercises like sit ups and crunches; and using anti-inflammatory pain relievers (like ibuprofen or Naproxen) around the clock for 1 week can make the pain better.
Nabil A Ebraheim
Orthopedist
Get some rest, get some therapy for the back, and if the pain continues, try to see a doctor.
I will assume you're a young person with no significant lumbar disease. Most likely your muscles are weak, and therefore overstrained. Do lumbar "strengthening" exercises at least twice daily for 6 months. You can google these exercises.
Dr. Bose
Dr. Bose
James W. Cahill
Orthopedist
This is a very common problem. Most often these are simple muscle or ligament overuse conditions. Basic initial treatment would include over-the-counter anti-inflammatories or total. Do not use anti-inflammatories if you have a history of ulcers. The duration of symptoms and location of symptoms would be beneficial to further help you. Other medical conditions can present as back pain. If your symptoms persist please see your family doctor
You may have just strained your lower back muscles. As long as you're not having any pain radiating down your leg I don't think it's anything serious. Most all of us will experience lower back pain in our lifetime most of the time it will be self limiting, improve on its own. Try lying in the 90/90 position with your lower legs on an ottteman with your hips at 90 degrees as well. There are numerous lower back stretching exercises you can do as well. Look them up on the internet. McKenzie exercises are helpful as well.
