What should I do if I tweak my back?

What should I do if I tweak my back?

Treating a Pulled Back Muscle in 8 Steps

1. Apply cold. Cold helps reduce inflammation, which is the primary source of pain in the first few days.
2. Use compression.
3. Rest.
4. Stretch.
5. Pain medication.
6. Perform strength exercises.
7. Get a massage.
8. Apply heat.

Is a heating pad good for a pulled back muscle?

Heat therapy is an effective remedy for back pain because it boosts circulation, which then allows nutrients and oxygen to travel to joints and muscles. This circulation helps repair damaged muscles, relieves inflammation, and improves back stiffness. Any type of heat therapy can help relieve back pain.

What do you do when your back spasms and you can’t move?

Some effective treatments include:

1. Short period of rest. A painful back muscle spasm can make it difficult to perform daily activities or even move.
2. Cold therapy.
3. Heat therapy.
4. Comfortable inclined position.
5. Over-the-counter pain relievers.
6. Muscle relaxants.

How do you fix a tweaked lower back?

Treatment may include:

1. Rest.
2. Ice packs and/or heat and compression applied to the back.
3. Exercises (to strengthen the abdominal muscles)
4. Stretching and strengthening exercises (for the lower back as it heals)
5. Education regarding the use and wearing of appropriate protective equipment.

When to go back to ice for a tweaked back?

If you think your ready for heat, give it a try for 15 to 20 minutes and if the area feels worse later that day or the next day, go back to ice. Having a good Ice pack in your freezer is a good preventative measure, and a great way to calm a tweaked back.

Which is better for lower back pain, ice or heat?

A protective barrier such as a cloth or towel may be used between your skin and the source of heat. In general, many people feel heat therapy works better to relieve their lower back pain compared to cold. Also, taking oral pain-relieving drugs while using these therapies may have an added effect on the overall pain relief. 2 1.

What’s the best way to treat a tweaked back?

What we tell our patients, when in doubt, ice it. If you think your ready for heat, give it a try for 15 to 20 minutes and if the area feels worse later that day or the next day, go back to ice. Having a good Ice pack in your freezer is a good preventative measure, and a great way to calm a tweaked back.

When to put an ice pack on your back?

Put an ice pack on your back for 10 to 20 minutes to reduce nerve activity, pain, and swelling. And be sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel to protect your skin.