From the Guidelines
Lower back muscle sprains are typically caused by sudden forceful movements, improper lifting techniques, and poor body mechanics, which can lead to microscopic tears in the muscles or tendons in the lumbar region. The most common causes of lower back muscle sprains include activities like lifting heavy objects with a rounded back rather than using leg muscles, twisting while lifting, or sudden movements during sports, as these actions can trigger injuries 1. Prolonged poor posture, weak core muscles, and inadequate physical conditioning contribute to vulnerability to lower back muscle sprains. Other risk factors include obesity, which places additional stress on back muscles, and occupations requiring repetitive lifting or prolonged sitting, as well as age-related muscle elasticity decline, which also increases susceptibility 1. Muscle spasms often accompany sprains as a protective mechanism to prevent further injury. Key prevention strategies include:
- Maintaining proper posture
- Using correct lifting techniques
- Strengthening core muscles
- Taking regular breaks from prolonged sitting These strategies can help reduce the risk of lower back muscle sprains and improve overall back health. It is essential to note that while most lower back pain is not caused by a specific disorder, a thorough evaluation is necessary to rule out underlying conditions that may require prompt medical attention, such as cancer, compression fracture, or spinal infection 1.
From the Research
Lower Back Muscle Sprain Etiology
The etiology of lower back muscle sprain is not directly addressed in the provided studies. However, the studies discuss the treatment and management of acute and chronic low back pain, which can be related to muscle sprains.
Treatment and Management
- The study by 2 compares the effectiveness of cyclobenzaprine alone and in combination with ibuprofen for treating acute neck or back pain with muscle spasm.
- The study by 3 provides an overview of muscle relaxants and their adverse effects for treating acute and chronic pain.
- The study by 4 discusses the use of various medications, including muscle relaxants, for treating low back pain in adults, and finds that muscle relaxants may be superior to placebo for reducing pain in acute low back pain.
Medications for Low Back Pain
- According to 4, muscle relaxants and NSAIDs may be effective for reducing pain in acute low back pain, while NSAIDs, antidepressants, and opioids may be effective for reducing pain in chronic low back pain.
- However, the study by 4 also notes that the effects of paracetamol and muscle relaxants for chronic low back pain are unclear, and that opioids have an established profile of harms.