Pulled Back Muscles

Muscle strains and strains are very common among many people, and they can range from very minor to very severe. Almost any muscle in the body is at risk for becoming pulled, although there are certain muscles that are more susceptible to injury than others.

Anyone can have a pulled muscle, but pulled muscles are often found in those who play sports, lift heavy weights, or those who are frequently sedentary but then attempt to do periodic stressful activities. There are numerous treatments to help recover pulled muscles, as well as prevention techniques to avoid injury in the future, but each injury requires slightly different treatments as they affect the body differently.

Anatomy and Description

When a person has a pulled muscle in their back, it is in reality one of several muscles in the back. The back itself runs from the buttocks to the neck and shoulder region, and contains several large muscles and important structures. The central feature of the back is the vertebral column, which extends from the thoracic, or chest region of the body to the lumbar, or lower back region. The spine is surrounded by several groups of muscles that can all be irritated during an injury.

Intertransversarii muscles are responsible for the movements between vertebrae, and the mutifidus spinal muscles are responsible for the spinal column as a whole. The muscles in the back are also responsible for the movement of the neck and shoulders, and include the trapezius, and the latissimus dorsi, a triangular shaped muscle that extends from the shoulder to the hip.

Causes of Injury

Muscle strain is the most common cause of back pain. Benign injuries to the back muscles can be extremely painful, but are seldom severe or debilitating for long periods of time. This is most often caused from overuse, extreme stretching, or an acute injury that causes a muscle to be pulled beyond its normal limits. There are, however, other possibilities that can cause back pain and back injuries due to inability to perform normal functions.

These include but are not limited to disc problems, degenerative disc disease, lumbar disc herniation, fractures in the vertebral column, and osteoarthritis. All of these diseases and medical conditions can cause the back muscles to function incorrectly, therefore making a person more susceptible to injury.

Common Activities Causing Injury

Back injuries and pulled spinal muscles are most often caused by overusing or overloading the muscles. This can be done through a variety of activities, such as heavy lifting, sports, or even sleeping wrong. Improper lifting techniques can lead to acute or gradual back muscle strain, and make them susceptible to further injury in the future. The most common problem with back muscles being pulled is that they are stretched beyond their normal limits too quickly, or for too long. Either of these can cause an injury similar to the other, and the treatment is basically the same if excessive damage has not occurred.

Treatment and Recovery

There are a wide variety of things a person healing from a pulled muscle in their back can and should do to assure quick and effective recovery. Resting the muscle is the most important step in treatment and recovery, though it does not mean immobilizing the body. A muscle that has been pulled needs rest, but not using it at all can lead to further damage, spasm, or other injury. Small, gradual, and light movements should be done as frequently as possible while avoiding large movements, lifting objects, or moving quickly.

Applying ice to the injured area within the first 48 hours can help reduce swelling. Applying heat after the initial two-day period can help with circulation and mobility, though it should be discontinued if swelling reoccurs. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen can help with swelling and pain, especially if they are combined with pain relief. Topical agents, such as Icy-Hot or Biofreeze are also effective for relief, and can help to increase mobility in the acute phase of injury.

Prevention of Future Injury

Although there is no guarantee that a person will not reinjure their back, there are ways to reduce their risk of it happening again in the future. Good posture is essential for keeping back injuries at bay, and will be useful for preventing other injuries to the body, as core stabilization is very important.

Increasing flexibility and strength gradually is important for keeping muscles mobile and fluid. Proper lifting techniques combined with back supports during heavy lifting are also very helpful. Daily exercises such as swimming, Pilates, yoga, and cross-training are good for keeping the back and other body muscles in line, strong, and healthy.