What is a Back Muscle or Ligament Strain?
Muscle strains and ligament sprains and lumbar sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. • A low back muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibres are abnormally stretched or torn. Muscle fatigue, excessive loads or poor lifting postures are the most common problems. Simple muscle strains usually improve within a day or two. Muscular pain lasting more than two or three days may require professional physiotherapy treatment to quickly relieve pain and promote healing. • A lumbar ligament sprain occurs when the ligaments (the tough bands of tissue that that limit the amount of movement at available at each spinal level), are torn from their attachments. Stretching ligaments too far or too quickly will tear them with subsequent bleeding into the surrounding tissues, causing swelling and pain. Awkward lifting, sports injuries and motor vehicle accidents are very common causes. Differentiating a strain from a sprain can be difficult, as both injuries will show similar symptoms. Mos
