Understanding Lumbosacral Strain

Lumbosacral strain is a medical term for an injury that causes low back pain. The lumbosacral area (low back) is between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the buttocks. A strain is tearing of muscles and tendons. These tears can be very small but still cause pain.

How a lumbosacral strain happens

Muscles and tendons connected to the spine can be strained in a number of ways:

• Sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time. This can harm the low back over time. Poor posture can make low back pain more likely.

• Moving the muscles and tendons past their usual range of motion. This can cause a sudden injury. It can happen when you twist, bend over, or lift something heavy. Not using the correct method for sports or tasks like lifting can make back injury more likely.

• Accidents or falls.

Lumbosacral strain can be caused by other problems, but these are less common.

Symptoms of lumbosacral strain

Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the back, often on 1 side.

• Pain that gets worse with movement and gets better with rest.

• Inability to move as freely as usual.

• Swelling, slight redness, and skin warmth in the painful area.

Treatment for lumbosacral strain

Low back pain often goes away by itself within several weeks. But it often comes back. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and preventing further injury. Bed rest is usually not recommended for low back pain. Treatments may include:

• Preventing or changing the action that caused the problem. This helps prevent injuring the tissues again.

• Prescription or over-the-counter medicines. These help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the most common medicines used. Medicines may be prescribed or bought over the counter. They may be given as pills. Or they may be put on the skin as a gel, cream, or patch.

• Cold or heat packs. These help reduce pain and swelling.

• Stretching and other exercises. These improve flexibility and strength.

• Physical therapy. This usually includes exercises and other treatments.

• Injections of medicine. This may relieve symptoms. The medicine is usually a corticosteroid. This is a strong anti-inflammatory medicine.

If these treatments don't relieve symptoms, your health care provider may order imaging tests to learn more about the problem. Sometimes you may need surgery.

Possible complications of lumbosacral strain

If the cause of the pain is not addressed, symptoms may return or get worse. Follow your provider’s instructions on lifestyle changes and treating your back.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your provider right away if:

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• You have chills.

• You feel numbness, tingling, or weakness.

• You have problems with bowel or bladder control, or problems having sex.

• Your pain does not go away, or gets worse.

• You have new symptoms.