Weak Muscles May Cause Back Muscle Pain
Back pain is usually caused by strain from lifting, twisting, or bending. However, in some cases low back pain can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as an infection, a rheumatic or arthritic condition, or an ovarian cyst.
There are numerous causes for back muscle pain and sometimes the worst pain does not involve the worst conditions. Poor overall fitness, smoking, and general life dissatisfaction increase a person's risk for low back problems.
A ruptured or bulging disk, the strong, spongy, gel-filled cushions that lie between each vertebra, and compression fractures of the bones in the spine can also cause low back pain, especially in older women with osteoporosis.
Muscle Strength And Flexibility May Lower Back Muscle Pain Risk
Muscle strength and flexibility are important to reducing the incidences of back muscle pain and regular exercise can keep them from becoming stiff. It is this stiffness, when movements are made out of the ordinary that causes back muscle pain. By understand how the muscles work in the back and what needs to be done to prevent injury, can help make them strong enough to avoid pain.
The extensor muscles are attached to the back of the spine and help in standing straight along with lifting. The flexor muscles, attached to the front of the spine, aid in bending, lifting and in arching the back. The oblique muscles on the side of the spine help with rotation and having correct posture. If any one of these muscles is stressed or pulled due to wrong movements, will cause back muscle pain and potentially, subsequent muscle spasms.
Anything from a simple sprain to a herniated disk can be uncomfortable with muscle spasm in the lower back often presenting pain so severe the sufferers cannot walk or stand up straight. In other cases of people with a disk out of place or even those with degenerative spine disease may feel little or no pain.
Lack Of Support Blamed For Back Muscle Pain
Unless properly conditioned, these muscle groups will grow weak with age and lack of use and intense therapy may be needed to end back muscle pain. By working the muscles properly on a consistent basis, they can be strengthened, helping the spine remain straight and pain free. When a person suffers from back pain, the usual reaction is to not use the muscles, since it hurts. This will cause them to weaken and be unable to support the spine in a neutral position.
Additionally, back muscle pain lasting more than two weeks and not using them can lead to muscle atrophy, or stiffening, which will result in muscle weakening causing more pain to other muscles that have to work harder to maintain the spine in an upright position. Stress can also lead to back pain as when a person is under stress, the back muscles usually tighten, using strength usually used to uphold the spine causing other muscles to work harder.
While the first few days of a back spasm are usually the worst, the pain will subside in a few days. Muscle relaxers may be prescribed to help ease the pain, but one the spasm relaxes, the muscles need to be slowly worked to rebuild their strength to reduce the chance of returning back muscle pain.
Lifestyle changes can often help relieve and prevent back muscle pain. You can lower your risk of back problems by exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good posture. Learning to bend and lift properly, sleeping on a firm mattress, sitting in supportive chairs, and wearing supportive shoes are other important factors. For long-term back pain, your doctor may recommend stronger medications or surgery. Medications used to treat back muscle pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, and oral or epidural steroids that reduce inflammation.
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