Acute lumbar sprain is often caused by improper posture, excessive force, overactivity, and external impact, resulting in soft tissue damage. This condition occurs suddenly and is often accompanied by a clear history of lumbar sprain. In severe cases, there may be a tearing sensation and sound at the time of injury. The main treatment method for acute lumbar sprain is physical therapy. Below, I will teach you some massage treatment methods for acute lumbar sprain.
Principles of Massage Treatment for Acute Lumbar Sprain
Acute lumbar sprain refers to acute injuries of soft tissues such as the lumbar sacrum, sacroiliac joints, and muscles on both sides of the lumbar back, including fascia, ligaments, joint capsules, and synovial membranes. It causes lumbar pain and functional impairment. The treatment principle is to relax tendons, promote blood circulation, remove stasis, reduce swelling, and relieve pain.
Simplified Massage Methods for Acute Lumbar Sprain
1. The patient lies prone, and the muscles on both sides of the spine are massaged.
2. Acupressure is applied to the points on both sides of the lumbar vertebrae.
3. The lumbar region is stretched on an inclined board.
4. Both hands are stacked and pressed along the spine from top to bottom on the lumbar region.
Acupressure Massage for Acute Lumbar Sprain
Waiguan Acupoint
This acupoint is located on the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao meridian, and it is also one of the meeting points of the eight meridians. It connects to the Yangwei meridian and mainly has the functions of clearing heat, eliminating fire, promoting meridian circulation, and activating collaterals.
Location: 2 inches above the transverse crease on the back of the forearm, at the midpoint between the ulna and radius.
Massage method: Use the fingertip of the thumb to pinch and press the acupoint, with moderate pressure, for 3 minutes each time.
Weizhong Acupoint
This acupoint is the confluent point of the Foot Taiyang Bladder meridian. It has the functions of strengthening the lumbar region, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, and activating collaterals. It can be used to treat conditions such as hamstring strains, lumbar and leg pain, hemiplegia, and sciatica after a stroke.
Location: At the midpoint of the back of the knee, between the tendons of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles.
Massage method: Use the fingertip of the index finger to press the acupoint with slight pressure, for 3 minutes each time. Repeat once a day, alternating between the two legs.
Shuigou Acupoint
This acupoint is located on the Governor Vessel meridian. It has the effects of refreshing the mind, clearing heat, dispelling wind, and regulating the flow of Qi along the Governor Vessel. It is an important acupoint for treating acute back pain. It can quickly relieve pain in cases of acute lumbar sprain with pain along the midline of the back.
Location: On the midline of the face, at the intersection of the upper third and middle third of the Philtrum.
Massage method: Use the fingertip of the thumb to pinch and press the acupoint, with moderate pressure, for 2 minutes each time.
Benefits of Massage for Acute Lumbar Sprain
The use of massage methods to treat acute lumbar sprain is because correct massage techniques can relax tendons, promote blood circulation, improve tissue repair, and correct misaligned small joints by reducing synovial entrapment. In minor cases, symptoms can subside in 2-3 days, and in severe cases, it can take around 2 weeks for symptoms to gradually disappear and for the patient to recover. However, weight-bearing and intense physical activities involving the lumbar region should still be avoided.
Precautions for Massage Treatment of Acute Lumbar Sprain
1. In the early stages of injury, reduce lumbar activity and rest on a firm bed to facilitate tissue recovery.
2. Choose appropriate massage techniques based on the patient's specific condition to avoid exacerbating the injury.
3. Pay attention to local warmth, and gradually increase lumbar and back muscle exercises after the condition has improved.
