There are all sorts of things that can cause lower back pain, ranging from problems with the spinal discs and joints to obstructions inside the spinal canal. But the majority of the time, the issue is a pulled lower back muscle. This problem can usually resolve without long-term damage, but that doesn’t mean people should resign themselves to being in pain for weeks or that they should immediately resort to drugs or surgery. At the Carrollton chiropractic office of Dr. Peter Lazarnick (Dr. Pete), we offer several complementary services to help patients manage pain, recover more quickly, and prevent future recurrences of muscle problems. This week, we’re going to take a closer look at what, exactly, a pulled muscle is.
Muscles are fibrous bands that become tendons as they attach to bones. They are supported by other fibrous bands called ligaments. When muscles, tendons, or ligaments are stretched too far, they can develop small frays. Although a soft tissue may suddenly incur major damage in what is known as an acute injury, it is more common for minor frays to accumulate until the patient begins noticing pain and dysfunction. A pulled muscle will spasm and become inflamed. It will likely cause intense pain for at least a day and may cause less severe pain for a few weeks, with intermittent flare-ups continuing for over a month. If a nerve is damaged, a patient may feel a sharp pain along its length, but if just muscles, tendons, or ligaments are injured, the pain will probably be localized and dull.
Our office offers different types of muscle energy therapies, depending on a patient’s individual needs. Popular treatments include electric muscle stimulation, which reduces inflammation and promotes the flow of fresh blood, as well as heat therapy and neuromuscular rehabilitation. But preventing relapses will require people to avoid overburdening their back muscles by practicing better posture and improving their core strength. We also provide lessons in physical rehabilitation and exercise technique.
Dr. Peter Lazarnick is located at 486 Bankhead Hwy, Carrollton, Georgia, 30117. To schedule an appointment, call 770-832-2226 or visit www.askdrpete.com.