The lower segment of your back is termed as the ‘lumbar region’. When a muscle or tendon (cord connecting muscle to bone) is overstretched or torn, it produces what we call ‘strain’. Low back strain is a type of injury that affects your back and is termed as lumbar strain.

Traumatic stress can injure the tendons and muscles in your lower back compelling them to contract and produce painful spasms. Strains are of two types:

Acute: when a muscle is abruptly stretched further than its limits. For example, during running, jumping, throwing, slipping on ice or lifting something heavy
Chronic: resulting from long-term repetitive movements, like the ones in gymnastics or rowing a boat. Sports that require frequent pushing and pulling, such as weight lifting or football, can cause a lumbar strain. Thus, this disorder is also known as “Weight Lifter’s Back”. In addition, baseball, tennis, golf and basketball make you vulnerable because they involve sudden twisting of the lower back.

Not conditioning yourself for such physical action and certain postures increases your risk of strains. Postural factors include a weak back and/or abdominal muscles, excessive lower back curvature, forward-tilted pelvis and tight hamstrings (back of thigh muscles).

When to seek expert advice

It is always best to get any sort of back pain examined by a specialist at the Physiotherapy Department.

Immediate go to the Emergency Department if you notice:

Pain radiating down the leg
Fever in addition to pain
Weakness or abnormal sensations (prickling, tickling) in the leg
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Numbness around the buttocks and genital region

Disclaimer

The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.