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Suggest Treatment For Back Muscle Strain After A Bike Ride
Question: Dear Dr,
I'm writing to you on behalf of my friend and her troublesome back. Let me give you XXXXXXX background info.
In 2011 after riding a bike for 1 hour she started having problems with her lower back. The pain would be described as aching in the lower back. She had the pain for months before it went away. During this time, the pain would increase whenever there would be a sudden "jumpy" move, for instance driving a car and hitting a small bump, this would then make the pain "start all over".
These past 1-2 years the back has been ok and driving a car has been possible without any problems.
One week ago after cleaning the house, the pain came back again. As I mentioned the back is aching and the pain seems to be coming from the lumbar spine which feels stiff. The pain is there all the time. Sitting makes the pain worse. Walking feels better. Best comport is from beeing in a fetal position. Ibuprofen helps a little bit but not much. She is now on her first day with etoricoxib.
Do you have any idea what could be behing this issue and what could be done about it?
Regards
I'm writing to you on behalf of my friend and her troublesome back. Let me give you XXXXXXX background info.
In 2011 after riding a bike for 1 hour she started having problems with her lower back. The pain would be described as aching in the lower back. She had the pain for months before it went away. During this time, the pain would increase whenever there would be a sudden "jumpy" move, for instance driving a car and hitting a small bump, this would then make the pain "start all over".
These past 1-2 years the back has been ok and driving a car has been possible without any problems.
One week ago after cleaning the house, the pain came back again. As I mentioned the back is aching and the pain seems to be coming from the lumbar spine which feels stiff. The pain is there all the time. Sitting makes the pain worse. Walking feels better. Best comport is from beeing in a fetal position. Ibuprofen helps a little bit but not much. She is now on her first day with etoricoxib.
Do you have any idea what could be behing this issue and what could be done about it?
Regards
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Back muscle strain is one of the MOST common causes of acute to severe lower back pain like your friend is having. Lifting a heavy object, twisting, or a sudden movement can cause muscles or ligaments stretch or develop microscopic tears.
Some other underlying causes like Sciatica, Spondylitis, Lumbar herniated disc, Degenerative disc disease, Isthmic spondylolisthesis etc should be ruled out through clinical examination and radiological investigation (like X- ray, CT scan, Myelogram, MRI etc). Kindly, consult with Orthopedic surgeon regarding this in case the pain is persistent for proper management of the case.
TREATMENT: Some general guidelines can help her to reduce lower back pain. These are as follows:
1) Take adequate bed REST with maintaining posture. Individuals who do not regularly exercise to build strength and flexibility are more likely to experience recurrent or prolonged lower back pain.
2) Alternate Hot water bottle or Ice pack can help to relieve most types of low back pain by reducing inflammation.
3) Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are quite useful to reduce inflammation and back pain. She is already taking these. Adding a muscle relaxant prescribed by her physician will help in earlier relief.
4) Exercise for Lower Back Pain : It is a key element of almost any lower back pain treatment plan. She may contact with Physiotherapist regarding this.
It includes 3 components: aerobic conditioning, stretching, and strengthening. The exercises are done through a controlled, progressive program to build more strong and flexible spine. This is to be started only after the acute pain subsides.
5) Epidural Steroid Injections - deliver steroids directly into the painful area of the lower back to reduce inflammation. It doesn't heal the components of the back, but often provide enough pain relief to allow patients to move, exercise and heal.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Back muscle strain is one of the MOST common causes of acute to severe lower back pain like your friend is having. Lifting a heavy object, twisting, or a sudden movement can cause muscles or ligaments stretch or develop microscopic tears.
Some other underlying causes like Sciatica, Spondylitis, Lumbar herniated disc, Degenerative disc disease, Isthmic spondylolisthesis etc should be ruled out through clinical examination and radiological investigation (like X- ray, CT scan, Myelogram, MRI etc). Kindly, consult with Orthopedic surgeon regarding this in case the pain is persistent for proper management of the case.
TREATMENT: Some general guidelines can help her to reduce lower back pain. These are as follows:
1) Take adequate bed REST with maintaining posture. Individuals who do not regularly exercise to build strength and flexibility are more likely to experience recurrent or prolonged lower back pain.
2) Alternate Hot water bottle or Ice pack can help to relieve most types of low back pain by reducing inflammation.
3) Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are quite useful to reduce inflammation and back pain. She is already taking these. Adding a muscle relaxant prescribed by her physician will help in earlier relief.
4) Exercise for Lower Back Pain : It is a key element of almost any lower back pain treatment plan. She may contact with Physiotherapist regarding this.
It includes 3 components: aerobic conditioning, stretching, and strengthening. The exercises are done through a controlled, progressive program to build more strong and flexible spine. This is to be started only after the acute pain subsides.
5) Epidural Steroid Injections - deliver steroids directly into the painful area of the lower back to reduce inflammation. It doesn't heal the components of the back, but often provide enough pain relief to allow patients to move, exercise and heal.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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