Signs of a Pulled Back Muscle

The signs of a pulled muscle tend to be pretty obvious and play a direct impact on your mobility and comfort. The back has the task of carrying the majority of the body's weight along with serving a major role in nearly every move a body makes. It's no wonder that a pulled back muscle can result from so much weight, stress and activity placed upon it.

Back pain can affect the lower, middle or upper area and last for a few days or a long extended period of time; it can be treated in a number of ways. Over-the-counter pain relievers along with hot and cold packs, heating pads and back creams are remedies to use at home for reducing pain. For persistent pain lasting longer than four to five days, consult a health care provider for a diagnosis and the proper anti-inflammatory medications or shots if necessary.

Symptoms

• Sharp, intense pain in the neck, upper or lower back
• Pain spreading from the back down the legs
• Numbness or tingling sensations in legs or arms
• Pain in the bladder
• Pain in the abdomen
• Consistent ache in the lower back
• Pain from the back running along the back of the leg could be a sign of sciatica.
• Experience pain when coughing or bending forward can be a signal of a herniated disc
• Burning sensation when urinating along with a fever and a strong smell to the urine could mean a urinary tract infection. 

Causes

• Herniated disc
• Strained muscles
• Pressure on joints
• Muscle spasms
• Cancer of the spinal cord
• Spinal infection
• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis

Prevention

• Exercise
• Increase muscle strength
• Maintain weight
• Reduce stress on muscles and joints
• Stay active
• Keep the body flexible