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September 14, 2004
Lumbar Muscle Strain
Muscle strains, especially in the back, are a common reason many people seek massage therapy. Depending upon the severity of the strain, massage is an effective treatment for this sort of injury.
Muscle strains are often used as a blanket diagnosis without fully evaluating the problem. There are other possible causes of low-back pain; for example, spinal stenosis (narrowing or constriction), herniated intervertebral discs, myofascial trigger points, spondylolysis, and structural, functional or psychogenic problems.
Lumbar-muscle strains occur most often as an acute injury. There will usually be a localized area of tenderness in the muscle where the fiber tearing has occurred. In addition to pain with palpation, a muscle strain is likely to produce pain during manual resistance and stretching.
If the muscle strain is severe, such as in a complete rupture, it may require surgery to reattach the separated ends of the muscle. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are still used with great frequency for muscle strains. Not long ago, bed rest was commonly recommended for lumbar strains. It is now known that immobilization is detrimental to the healing process for these kinds of muscle injuries.
The most effective way to enhance the production of a functional scar with massage is through deep transverse-friction techniques. Stretching procedures, performed along with these other techniques, are also helpful.
Posted by linda at September 14, 2004 5:26 PM
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