Treating torn back muscle

Fact Checked

A torn back muscle can be due to overuse or overstraining the back such as the wrong technique when lifting objects that are heavy and repetitive movements. A strained back muscle results to weakness, inflammation or spasms and back pain.

Symptoms of a torn back muscle

• Severe pain at the back usually in the upper or lower area
• Muscular spasms at the back
• Pain becomes severe during physical activity and lessens after taking a rest.
• Discomfort in the back when muscles are strained and starts to tear
• Pain in the back when the muscle ligaments become sprained and torn.

  

• Stress and tension can cause a torn back muscle. Emotional and psychological stress can result to physical tension where the muscles in the back starts to feel tight when feeling anxious or worried. This tightness can tear the muscle fibers or even ligaments not properly treated.

Treatment

• Take plenty of rest, especially the affected area at least 2 days.
• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin to lessen the pain and swelling of a torn back muscle.
• Apply an ice pack on the affected area for at least 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours to lessen the inflammation on the first 2-3 hours except when sleeping. Avoid applying ice directly on the skin to prevent frostbite. Make sure that you will wrap the ice pack with a towel before placing on the affected area.
• After 3-4 days, apply heat on the area for at least 15-20 minutes at a time.
• Change position every 30 minutes while awake to prevent making the affected area stiff which causes more pain.
• Sleep in a comfortable position to prevent making the condition worse. If there is diificulty sleeping due to back pain, lay on the back with the knees bent and supported by a couple of pillows or lay on the side with knees and hips bent and place a pillow between the legs or on the stomach.
• Once the swelling is reduced, apply heat to the torn back muscle. Apply a heating pad to lessen the back pain and promote proper circulation of blood in the area as well as loosen the tension of the back muscles. Another alternative is taking warm baths.
• Start performing gentle exercises to prevent making the affected area stiff. Take a walk at least 3-5 minutes of walking every 2 hours to maintain the strength of the body.
• Take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen to lessen the pain and inflammation.

Tips

• Avoid applying heat or cold in the affected area if suffering from circulation issues without medical help
• Avoid lifting any objects or engage in any movements using the torso until the back pain is totally healed.

FACT CHECK

https://www.healthline.com/health/strains

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10265-back-strains-and-sprains

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/pulled-back-muscle-and-lower-back-strain