Back Sprains Treatment (10/20002 RMD)

Back sprains are usually due to pulled back muscles. The pain is due to muscle spasm of the lower back muscles.

Treatment
Most people with back sprains get better over a week with simple painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or Co-Codamol and gentle exercise.
This process can be speeded up with stronger pain relief, heat, Ralgex, massage and specific exercises.
Osteopaths and chiropractors are unhelpful in simple sprains.

Self manipulation exercises
Gentle self manipulation exercises can help free the back and cause pain reduction.

To do this take a strong dose of painkillers (Ibuprofen 600 mg and cocodamol 2 tablets bought from the chemist). If you suffer with stomach problems DON'T use Ibuprofen without discussion with your doctor but cocodamol is safe to use.

One hour after taking the dose apply Ralgex to the painful area of the lower back and then place a heat pad or covered hot water bottle over the same area and lie down on the floor, flat on your back for 20 minutes.

After this time remove the hot water bottle/heat pad and bend your legs to about 90 degrees at the knees keeping your feet on the floor, and your knees together. Your shoulders should remain flat on the floor.
Now gently swing your legs to the least painful side and then back to the midline, keeping your knees together and you shoulders firmly on the floor. Start with short swings and gradually increase the size and speed.
You should feel your back stretch as you do this. Once you have gone as far as you can, start swinging to the more painful side. Mobilising the back in this fashion will gently stretch the back muscles and help you get mobile more quickly.
You may repeat this 2 or 3 times a day until the pain is more manageable or gone.

Walking is good exercise for back sprains but don't overdo it.

Once you are better remember that you have a weakness and need to be careful not to bend and twist your back under heavy loads for a few weeks. You may need to self certify if you have a heavy job and if off work for more than a week you will need a sick note from the doctor.

Join a fitness class or gym and strengthen your back and abdominal muscles so that your trunk is stronger and better able to protect your spine.

This website is for registered patients only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking advice from a GP.
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