Article reviewed and approved by Dr. Ibtissama Boukas, physician specializing in family medicine
You made a wrong move, and you think you have strained your back (also called lumbago or lumbar sprain)? Worse still, you may have no idea why you locked your back when you woke up!
What should be done ? Do we put hot or cold after a kidney tour? Will the doctor put me on sick leave if I go to see him? What is the treatement ? Are there exercises that could help me (Hint: YES! And I offer 3 at the end of the article)?
In short, you are looking for quick and effective solutions to reduce your pain and heal your back pain as quickly as possible. Let's get started without further delay!
Contents
Lumbar sprain, back strain, lumbago…what exactly is it?
Lumbar sprain, lumbago, kidney tower, acute low back pain… all these qualifiers are used to designate the same thing. In general, a sprain refers to an overstretching of a ligament. On the other hand, the terms "kidney circumference" and "lumbar sprain" are more general, and include all musculoskeletal structures (ligaments, muscles, tendons, etc.) of the lumbar region.
It can be a ligament micro-tear, joint irritation or even overstretching of a back muscle. Either way, an inflammatory process ensues. And that hurts! Fortunately, it is not an attack of the kidney as such (this would be much more serious!). We use this expression because the pain is located in the lower back (near the kidneys, but much more on the surface!).
All structures in the lumbar region can be irritated during a back strain.
Symptoms associated with kidney circumference
The symptoms associated with the turn of the kidneys are pain (often intense) in the region of the lower back. This pain can even radiate to the middle of the back, to the sides, and even possibly to the buttocks. If the pain radiates further down the leg, it may be another condition such as herniated disc, sciatica or cruralgia.
The pains are most often increased during trunk movements (especially sudden movements), and when trying to sneeze or cough. In more severe cases, the discomfort may be present at rest, and significantly limit daily activities. Even taking deep breaths can be uncomfortable!
The back strain is often associated with stiffness in the lower back, which can cause an inability to move the spine in full amplitudes (hence the famous expression “My back is blocked!”). There may also be muscle spasms and altered posture due to pain.
Does it bring back bad memories?
Duration and prognosis: How long does a kidney turn last?
When you suffer from a kidney injury, the pain is so intense that it can sometimes seriously worry us. And even more if it's the first time!
By writing “back blocked” on Google, you may have come across a back pain forum. It talks about emergency surgery, infiltration, incapacitating chronic pain, prolonged absence from work, cancer… In short, everyone seems to be suffering martyrdom and major depression!
Are you guilty?
Rest assured !!!
In general, the evolution is favorable following a turn of the kidneys, and the vast majority of patients heal within 6 weeks. That's a fact. Moreover, even if you have very bad back pain initially, do not think that the high intensity of the pain is synonymous with a more severe attack.
Admittedly, those who turn around are unfortunately at risk of recurrence in 75%, and 5% of people are at risk of developing chronic pain (the testimonials you read in forums often come from this particular population!).
But in general, the statistics are encouraging, and the majority of episodes of acute low back pain eventually resolve. Phew!
How can I be sure that nothing is serious?
We have concluded that people who suffer from a turn of the kidneys usually get better eventually. On the other hand, it is essential to discuss the cases where low back pain requires urgent care. Not to worry you (once again, the cases where back pain originates from a serious impairment are less than 5%)… but rather so that you and I can have peace of mind!
In summary, if you ever experience any of these symptoms, you should consult as soon as possible:
Pain following severe trauma
Constant, progressive, non-mechanical pain (not influenced by movement)
If you suffer from a turn of the kidneys, you may consider consulting a health professional. It's an excellent decision! First of all, the doctor is often the gateway allowing you to take charge of your condition.
As for the various therapists, they are also equipped to help you identify the source of your problem, clarify the diagnosis and offer solutions adapted to your situation.
Now, who is the best therapist to see based on your symptoms? Between the physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor, or massage therapist, it can be difficult to choose.
Know that there is not really a good answer, and that it is especially necessary to choose a therapist in whom one has confidence, and who is comfortable with the treatment of acute low back pain. As this is a very frequent condition, the vast majority of therapists will be able to help you recover, and/or refer you to the appropriate resources if necessary (specialist, medical imaging, Etc.).
I just hope you don't come across a bad therapist which will waste your time and money!
Treatment: What can be done to relieve the symptoms?
Back pain after an episode of back strain can be debilitating, and greatly affect our daily activities (not to mention our mood!).
Here are 6 possible solutions to consider to avoid aggravating your symptoms, and guide you on the road to recovery. If you ever have to consult a professional, he will of course be able to advise you in a more exhaustive and appropriate manner.
1. Stay active
If you prefer complete bed rest after your back workout, I'm sorry to tell you that you are wrong. You MUST move after a turn of the kidney, as long as it's done progressive and safe way.
Exercise bike, walking, swimming, there is not really an activity that has been shown to be superior. For this reason, it is essential to go with an activity that gives you pleasure!
2. Apply ice and/or heat
Ice is generally favored after an episode of acute lower back pain, but heat can also relax tight muscles and relieve your symptoms. To find out more, see this article which discusses the difference between heat and ice in detail.
3. Promote a comfortable sleeping position
Good sleep hygiene will allow you to sleep better, which will inevitably promote optimal healing of your back problem. In several cases, a memory foam orthopedic pillow or a comfortable mattress can help relieve symptoms.
Yes yes, breathing has a role to play in back pain, and a optimal breathing will allow you to heal even faster.
5. Meditate
Don't worry, no one is asking you to become Master Yoda. On the other hand, it has been shown that the mindfulness (Mindfulness in English) can be beneficial in case of low back pain.
6. Try natural remedies
Although they are not necessarily supported by a large number of scientific researches, we often observe a relief of symptoms with certain essential oils, grandmother's recipes or other products derived from homeopathy. From natural products the most frequently used are:
As mentioned previously, it is essential to integrate an active approach to optimally treat your back circumference. This is where therapeutic exercise comes in.
Obviously, a healthcare professional will be able to adjust and adapt an exercise program so that it is beneficial for your back. the physiotherapist (physiotherapist) is the therapist of choice when we want to be active and suffer from back pain.
Here are 3 exercises that I regularly prescribe to my patients suffering from lumbar sprain (kidney circumference) in the office. Obviously, they will be integrated within a global care, and adapted according to the patient: 3 exercises to do after a lumbar sprain (in video)
In addition to therapeutic exercises, it is important to keep active as much as possible. This is all the more true if you do repeated back exercises. A healthcare professional may discuss with you some preferred activities or sports on a daily basis, as well as prescribing an adapted program aimed at acting in prevention.
How to sleep with a kidney tower?
After an episode of kidney strain, it is not uncommon for sleep to be affected. This is often due to an awkward position which increases stress on the vertebrae lower back, and causes limiting pain. Moreover, the static posture induced by sleep often causes morning stiffness.
To manage symptoms, it is not uncommon for patients to take painkillers, anti-inflammatories, or muscle relaxants before bedtime. It is also recommended to try heat or ice just before sleep to relieve symptoms. If you benefit from exercises and stretches from a physical therapist, they would also be done before sleep to relieve symptoms.
In terms of sleeping posture, the recommended positions are those in the supine position (lying on your back with a pillow under your knees) or in lateral decubitus (lying on your side with a pillow between your legs). It should be noted that the quality of the mattress can influence pain, as can the pillow in some cases.
So! If you've got your lower back stuck, hopefully you're better equipped to take charge of your condition. Be sure to apply the 5 tips mentioned in the article above, as they are an excellent starting point.
A back strain, if treated well, can heal quite quickly and allow a return to daily activities. On the other hand, it can also evolve into something more difficult to treat, with compensatory schemes and cognitive distortions.
It is for this reason that we must keep our spirits up, be proactive, and seek the help of a health professional in case of doubt.
Good recovery!
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Anas Boukas( Physiotherapist, physiotherapist, consultant )
Patients with back pain, I only see that on a daily basis. The problem is that most people consult only when their pain becomes intolerable. My name is Anas and I am physiotherapist (physio). My mission ? Helping people who are in pain before their pain becomes chronic and requires surgery. It is for this reason that I created Lombafit, a site focused on the popularization of back pain by health professionals.
