The techniques chiropractors use to manage muscle strain in the lumbar spine
depend on whether the strain is chronic or acute. In either case, however, the
goal is to decrease pain and improve the health of damaged muscles.
Initially, your chiropractor may perform spinal adjustments, also known as
spinal manipulative therapy, which returns function to subluxated (stuck or
misaligned) joints in the spine and indirectly improves the health of
surrounding muscles.
Adjustments help muscles because the spinal cord is the primary pathway for
nerve impulses to and from the brain, and these impulses control the health and
function of every part of your body. If the vertebrae (spinal bones) that
protect these nerves are subluxated, it can irritate the nerves that exit
between them and affect muscles that these nerves control, like the muscles in
the back. Adjustments remove subluxations, thus removing nerve irritation and
helping muscles heal.
To further promote muscle health, your chiropractor may perform trigger point
therapy and muscular release technique if he or she feels it will help with your
particular condition. Trigger point therapy helps patients in the acute stage of
lumbar muscle strain. To perform trigger point therapy, your chiropractor will
press on tight, contracted muscle fibers in the low back, which are known as
trigger points or knots. When your chiropractor releases the pressure, usually
after 10 seconds, an influx of fresh blood washes out the body's irritating
waste products (like lactic acid) and brings in oxygen, which relieves pain and
releases the trigger point.
Muscular release technique helps to break down unhealthy tissue while
encouraging healthy tissue to grow in its place. To compensate for strained or
weakened muscles, the body lays down new tissue to help muscles remain
functional. This new tissue is called scar tissue. Because it doesn't have the
same properties as original muscle tissue, over time it can prevent muscles from
keeping up with repeated activity and lead to pain and dysfunction.
To perform muscular release technique, your chiropractor will slide his or
her hands along the muscle's surface, which will break down scar tissue and
restore normal muscle function. While this may be a little painful, it can be
helpful for keeping muscles strong and healthy.
If necessary, your chiropractor may also use physiotherapeutic devices like
ultrasound or interferential current (IFC) to care for your back. Ultrasound
delivers high-frequency sound waves deep into tissue, and depending on the
waves' frequency this can help increase blood flow, decrease pain, reduce muscle
spasm, break down scar tissue and speed healing. IFC works in a similar way, but
with a mild electrical current. By aiming the current at the muscles in your
lumbar spine, your chiropractor can disperse excess fluid, decrease painful
swelling and inflammation, stimulate the nervous system and promote healing.
At home, you should apply ice to painful areas within the first 24 to 72
hours of developing a muscle strain. The coldness will constrict blood vessels,
which decreases blood flow and inhibits the release of painful inflammatory
fluid.
You should also stay active. While bed rest may seem like a logical way to
reduce pain, prolonged lack of movement will only slow down the healing process.
While your muscle strain is healing, your chiropractor may choose to put you on
a fitness program that involves stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercise.
These exercises will condition the muscles in your low back, which will help to
ensure proper movement. When you are resting, however, be sure to do it
properly. The best way to sleep is in a fetal position with a pillow between
your knees. This will maintain the natural curvature of your spine and keep you
comfortable.
Finally, if your muscle strain is chronic, and developed because you
experienced repeated stretching or tearing in the muscles, your chiropractor may
also recommend nutritional supplements like calcium, magnesium and potassium,
which aid in muscle contraction and relaxation.
Regardless of how your muscle strain developed, however, it's imperative that
you take good care of your back once you're fully rehabilitated. Your
chiropractor can take a close look at your daily activities to determine how you
can avoid excessive low back stress and may prescribe a lumbosacral belt, which
you can wear around your waist for increased low back stability. By taking such
measures and getting chiropractic care for existing injuries, you can help
prevent another bout of lumbar muscle
strain.
