If you have suffered a direct blow to a muscle in your back, especially one near to a bone, it must be treated as a contusion. Contusion symptoms include:

• A sudden excruciating pain in the back.
• Difficulty moving.
• Possible swelling or bruising around the ruptured area.

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There are three different grades of severity when it comes to muscle strain injuries in the back:

Grade one strains
Symptoms

• Tightness in the back
• Difficulty in walking
• Little swelling

What can be done?

• Heat up the affected area with a hot water bottle or a heat retainer
• You don’t have to stop training (unless it get worse), but take it easy during for a week or two
• Joint manipulation techniques
• Follow a rehabilitation and strengthening programme drawn up by a specialist

Grade two strains
Symptoms

• You can’t walk properly
• Sudden twinges of pain during daily activities
• Swelling may become apparent
• If you press the affected area, it will hurts

What can be done?

• Lots of rest
• Follow a rehab plan involving mobility, stretching and strengthening exercises drawn up by a specialist

Grade three strains
Symptoms

• You can’t walk properly
• Severe pain
• Bad swelling will appear immediately
• Static contractions may be painful and could produce a bulge in the muscle
• You will be out of action for three to twelve weeks

What can be done?

Note: In all three grades the following can help:

• Consult a sports injury specialist immediately
• Sports massage is very important and effective can speed up recovery and is very important
• Ultrasound and electrical stimulation
• Follow a rehabilitation programme prescribed by a specialist

Other related articles:
Painkillers (Paracetamol)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
COX-2 specific inhibitors
Different Steroids
Cortisone injections
 

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