Pulled Back Treatment in NJ | Pain Management Doctor, Specialist

When you have a pulled muscle or muscle strain, your muscle fibers are stretched and torn. This damage causes the injured muscle to have a myriad of symptoms:

• The area feels sore, tight, or achy.
• Pain intensifies with movement and may lessen when resting.
• It feels tender to the touch.
• It feels stiff, making movement more difficult.

There may be visible swelling and inflammation. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may also experience muscle spasms during either rest or activity. The pain may refer to other areas, such as the lower back, leading to immobility. You may feel middle back pain , upper back pain or neck pain , causing muscle spasms in your neck .

Symptoms of a pulled back can set in suddenly after an injury. If they develop over time, you may not notice them right away. If you overuse specific muscles by performing repetitive motions, a pulled back may take years to cause pain. Some possible causes of muscle strain in the lower back include:

• Heavy lifting
• High-impact sports
• Sudden twisting
• An impact from a car accident or fall

You may be at increased risk of experiencing a muscle strain in the back if you lead a sedentary lifestyle or have poor posture or weak abdominal muscles. Smoking and obesity are additional factors that increase your risk of pulling a muscle in your back.

Your specialist in pain care can usually diagnose a muscle strain based on a physical exam, medical history, and a review of how the injury occurred. Your doctor will check for spinal abnormalities and reduced range of motion during your exam. If there’s concern about an additional injury, such as a herniated disc or pinched nerve, you may need other imaging tests.

Your pain doctor may recommend that you take a break from sports activities or a job involving a lot of heavy lifting. Applying ice for 15 minutes several times a day to the area helps reduce any swelling.

How to treat a pulled back muscle?

You can control pain with over-the-counter medications such as:

• naproxen
• aspirin
• ibuprofen

If your pain isn’t relieved with over-the-counter medications, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants or prescription pain medication.

Physical therapy. We often recommend physical therapy to help your body rebuild strength and flexibility. Your physical therapist teaches you exercises that strengthen and stretch the area that hurt. Massage or electrical muscle stimulation help loosen tight muscles. You should move as much as possible 24 hours after the onset of pain. Although it may seem counterintuitive, extended rest prolongs your symptoms and slows down your recovery.

If you believe you have a pulled muscle in the lower back, have your injury evaluated if symptoms don’t improve within a couple of days. Don’t ignore severe or worsening pain, swelling, or discoloration. There’s no need to wait longer than a couple of days, especially if the pain makes it difficult for you to move or you’re unable to do your normal daily activities.

Contact Redefine Healthcare muscle specialists in New Jersey for expert evaluation of your pulled back muscle or any other back pain or back injury. With state-of-the-art treatment options, you’ll be back on your feet in no time.