A stiff back is a common complaint of many back pain patients, including this author. Stiffness in the back can be both an uncomfortable experience, as well as a source of great fear and frustration for any affected patient. Stiffness is sometimes the harbinger of imminent painful symptoms or the after effect of acute symptomatic flare ups.

Muscular Stiff Back Condition

Stiffness might be experienced in the muscles and ligaments of the back and spine. This is the most common variety of chronic complaint. Patients with this form of muscular stiffness often describe their back as feeling tight, tense and ready to snap. These patients often have a self guarded range of motion, since they perceive that injury is just around the corner if they move the wrong way. Most patients have trouble bending and twisting and might have specific activity restrictions which may or may not be justified or logical. This decreased range of motion is most typically perceived, rather than actual. Muscular stiffness can be the result of injury or sympathetic reaction to a spinal cause, but is far more commonly the result of oxygen deprivation back pain attacking the blood supply to the soft tissues using vascular constriction. The root causation for the majority of these cases is psychosomatic in nature.

Spinal Stiff Back Condition

Patients with verified spinal causes for their back pain and stiffness account for a far smaller percentage of the total population than patients suffering from muscular stiffness conditions. Spinal arthritis conditions, including facet joint syndrome, are the typical causes of spinal stiffness, especially if significant bone spurs have developed around the spinal joints. These patients will often experience a real decreased range of motion, rather than the perceived reduction in functionality common to muscular stiffness patients. Individuals with spinal stiffness have a more difficult time finding an effective solution to their conditions, since the spinal structures have suffered considerable degeneration. However, just because a patient has spinal stiffness does not mean that they will experience pain or any other problematic symptom in addition to their reduced range of motion.

Recommendation on a Stiff Back

I was plagued with a very stiff back during my entire back pain experience. As my pain grew, I became more and more stiff. I felt greatly restricted in my movements and often had the feeling something in my back was about to SNAP! My doctors came up with many explanations for this tense, uncomfortable feeling, but none could find any solution for the condition. Eventually, I found my own cure and beat my back pain into utter submission. It only took me 18 years… SIGH…

I was diagnosed with a plethora of symptomatic conditions, but none turned out to be the actual reason for my pain. I realized that the stiffness I suffered from was definitely a psychological protective mechanism I had developed to constantly remind myself of my bad back. This constant reminder was all part of the psychosomatic perpetuation of my symptoms which was never properly diagnosed during my entire agonizing journey through the health care system!

I still occasionally get a slight stiffness in my back, since it will always be my weakest link. When I do feel this stiffness, I know that there are some unresolved issues which need to be actively addressed in my mind. Time spent in reflection banishes the stiffness, since I am now in tune with the reasons why it exists. I no longer get pain, but the occasional lingering stiffness is certainly proof positive that psychosomatic pain conditions never truly disappear, although they can be beaten into remission. They are inherent parts of my personality and yours, and must be actively treated throughout life to maintain a state of positive mental and physical health.

Back muscle tension can be caused physical injury or overexertion, but is usually the direct result of internal stress, unresolved issues and painful emotions. Tension describes the feeling of being taut, strained or stretched to the limit. The back is a place where we both literally and figuratively carry all the burdens of life. When the back muscles are tense, there is almost always some underlying emotional process as the cause.

Physical Back Muscle Tension

Muscles can become tight due to a strain, sprain or other injury. Muscular back pain can be very severe, even when the condition is not serious. Tension without pain is often the result of overexertion of the back muscles. This is a condition which should go away after a good night of sleep. Tense back muscles should respond well to simple physical treatments, such as heat, massage and hydrotherapy. If your muscle pain endures despite all attempts to relieve it, you might want to consider that your pain is actually from a psychological source.

Psychological Back Tension

Chronic muscle tension is a common expression of psychosomatic back pain. Patients with this condition will often progress towards worse symptomatic expressions of this psycho-emotional condition. Psychological back pain is the most common of all chronic back pain syndromes. It is also the least likely to be accurately diagnosed. Most psychosomatic conditions are blamed on some coincidental and completely innocent back pain scapegoat condition. Physical treatments are useless against this type of psychogenic pain, which explains the medical community's dismal results when it comes to successfully curing back pain. Knowledge therapy is the recommended treatment for any unresolved back pain condition.

Recommendation on Back Muscle Tension

That feeling of holding the weight of the world on your back is much more than a metaphor. It is extremely common for patients to experience stress related back pain and muscle tension from internal psychological conflicts. The source of these conflicts can be obvious, but is more likely well hidden deep in the subconscious mind. Problematic issues need to be acknowledged and accepted in order to enact a real cure for the psychogenic syndrome. This might sound like science fiction to some patients, but it is verified and accepted fact based on the complex interaction between the mind and the body.

The main question is…
Who will accept that their chronic muscle pain is a result of a psychological process and who will continue to suffer needlessly?

Back muscles are the bane of many back pain patients. Muscular back pain is the most common symptom of patients with chronic pain conditions. Acute muscular injuries can be extremely painful, yet they often heal with no treatment in a short period of time. Unresolved chronic muscle pain is almost always an indicator of a psychosomatic cause behind the patient’s suffering.

Back Muscle Anatomy

Muscles in the back, neck and buttocks are some of the most important in the body. They are instrumental in controlling posture and locomotion, as well as providing support and structure for our skeletons. Postural muscles work around the clock and have the ability to perform for hours upon end. Muscles in the lower back and buttocks are some of the strongest in the human body.

Muscular Back Injury

It is possible to overexert a muscle from repeated or constant use. This can cause a build up of waste products, such as lactic acid, in the muscle fibers. These waste products can cause mild pain, heat and fatigue in the surrounding area. Muscles and ligaments can tear or become detached. This type of muscular injury is usually very painful and can cause a deficiency of strength in the affected area. Muscles can also suffer bruising like any other soft tissue in the body. Muscular bruising can be sore, but is rarely serious.

Back Muscle Pain

The most common form of chronic muscular back pain is due to oxygen deprivation of the muscles and nerves in the affected region. This is the process which causes symptoms in all types of psychosomatic pain syndromes, including fibromyalgia. This type of pain is often blamed on some coincidental spinal scapegoat condition. The majority of acute cases of muscular back pain go away in a few days to 2 weeks. Long term muscle pain is almost always an indicator of some psychological causation behind the pain.

Recommendation on Back Muscles

Your back and spine are super strong. Millions of years of evolution have guaranteed that your spinal structures and musculature are more than sufficient to get you through life. Public perception views the back and spine as fragile structures with a bad reputation for developing chronic pain. This perception has been created by all the factors which have contributed to the current epidemic of back pain.

It is important to have faith that muscular injuries will heal. If not, you are setting yourself up for the start of a possible long term psychosomatic pain condition that will use the muscle injury as a trigger to begin chronic symptoms. This is the situation seen over and over again in patients with tension myositis syndrome.

Understand anatomy and you will understand why chronic muscle pain rarely makes any sense. Do not expect to get this information from your doctor, since treatment of chronic muscle pain is a HUGE BUSINESS within the back pain industry.

Myositis is a general term for chronic muscular soreness. Back muscle pain is the most common of all back ache conditions. Causes of muscular pain can range from insignificant to life threatening, so it is crucial that the patient understands exactly what is creating their painful symptoms. Specific types of myositis conditions are some of the most treatment resistant of all chronic back pain syndromes.

Fibromyositis

Fibromyalgia is one of the most virulent of all muscle pain syndromes. This epidemic condition has grown exponentially over the past 30 years all across the globe. Women are especially prone to developing fibromyalgia pain. The condition has no universally accepted cause or cure. Most traditional and alternative treatments are designed to relieve some of the problematic symptoms, rather than cure the actual underlying condition. It is no surprise that many fibromyalgia patients suffer for years as their lives descend into a dark and lonely downward spiral.

Tension Myositis Syndrome

TMS is the diagnosis named by Dr. John Sarno. This condition created historic precedent as the first modern psychosomatic condition accepted and treated by the traditional medical system. Although TMS doctors are few and far between, they do exist. This gives hope to the millions of patients suffering with many varieties of mind/body disorders. Physicians are starting to realize the actual role the mind plays in the creation of physical symptoms. Hopefully, this trend will propagate and create a new generation of doctors well versed in treating psychosomatic pain.

Recommendation on Myositis

Chronic muscle pain conditions are rarely caused by a physical, environmental or infectious process. They are mostly the result of a psychosomatic process which uses simple ischemia to cause pain and related symptoms. Psychological reasons for the creation of these psychogenic symptoms vary greatly, but the cure is almost universal. Knowledge therapy will help a patient to discover the true psychological reasons for their pain. Once these emotional issues have been demystified by the conscious mind, their harmful power ceases to exist, usually leading to complete amelioration of all symptoms. If you have never considered that your unresolved back pain might be the result of a subconscious process, you owe it to yourself to investigate how millions have cured their symptoms with this effective therapy option. You have nothing to lose but your pain…

Back muscle exercises are a valuable part of a fitness routine, but should not be prescribed with the promise of a cure for chronic back pain. Muscular symptoms are the most common forms of back pain experienced by patients all around the world. Exercise therapy is a typical treatment modality used to combat this epidemic pain condition. Often, the treatment will not fit the actual cause of the symptoms and the patient is left holding on to hope in a treatment that will not help them or their pain. It is critical to achieve an accurate diagnosis when it comes to muscular back pain to determine whether or not exercise will be a beneficial addition to the treatment program or not.

Benefits of Back Muscle Exercises

Exercise is good for your body and good for your back. Physical therapy using stretches and exercises is indicated for a variety of truly physical back and spine pain syndromes. Exercise is important to rehabilitate back injuries and also crucial to help patients recover from back surgery. If you are sure that your back pain is induced by a physical cause, then there is a good chance that exercise might be right for you.

Exercise increases muscular strength and structure and allows the back muscles to support the spine more effectively. Exercise also increases the circulation and therefore the cellular oxygen supply to the muscles. This interesting fact is the reason why back pain exercises are often moderately effective in treating a variety of diagnosed symptomatic conditions. However, the treatment does not work because of the brilliance or skill or the doctor or therapist…It works because of a mistake made in the diagnosis!

Back Muscle Exercises and Ischemia

Oxygen deprivation is the most common source of muscular back pain. Medical science rarely diagnoses this condition even though it is so prevalent in our society. The reason physical medicine chooses to ignore this cause of horrible muscle pain and spasms is that ischemic back pain is almost always the result of a psychological process. Medical providers are not prepared or educated to deal with this type of pain so they simply ignore the mind / body interaction responsible for the majority of chronic pain conditions.

Most patients will deny having any type of psychosomatic back pain because they have been conditioned to accept a scapegoat spinal abnormality as the source of their pain. Well, if the diagnosis is so good and accurate, then how come the treatment results are so poor?

Recommendation on Back Muscle Exercises

Maybe you have tried a variety of treatment options to cure your chronic muscular back pain with little or no success. Maybe you hold on to the idea that exercise might be the magic bullet to help you conquer your pain. If exercise provides some benefit for your pain, but only short term, there is a good chance that you are suffering from ischemia back pain rather than whatever condition you have been diagnosed with. Acknowledging the reasons for this type of pain is crucial to the complete resolution of all symptoms. Instead of muscle exercises, you should be exercising your brain. Knowledge therapy can cure this type of pain forever, with no more treatments ever needed to maintain your health and vitality. Learn to cure your pain, and then use exercises to get in the best shape of your life. I did it. Why not use your exercise time to build a state of health, rather than try in vain to treat a condition of apparent disease and injury? All this writing makes me want to get up and do my exercises right now! Talk to you later…

A Back muscle sprain is a typical diagnosis for common muscular back pain. The diagnosis of sprain is usually used to describe a condition in which a muscle or ligament is overstretched and possibly torn to a minor degree. A serious tear or detachment in a muscle or ligament is usually referred to as a strain. The words are sometimes used interchangeably and either can be positively diagnosed using advanced imaging techniques such as an MRI or CT scan.

Causes of Back Muscle Sprain

Back muscles and ligaments are some of the largest and strongest in the body. They are not prone to serious injury except in extreme physical circumstances such as severe trauma, constant overuse and abuse, or attack by a neuromuscular disorder. Minor muscular tears and pulls are common and not normally any cause for concern. Ligament tears and pulls are also a common experience for patients experiencing muscular back pain.

Back Muscle Sprain Symptoms

The usual symptoms of back muscle pain are similar to many other types of back ache condition:

* Pain can be localized or radiating circular or linear from a centralized “hot spot”. Pain might extend into one or more limbs.

* Swelling can produce a lump, bump or generalized “knots” in the tissue.

* Affected tissue may feel hot to the touch.

* Muscles might feel weak and have limited movement. Pain is usually elicited from moving affected and surrounding muscles.

Treatment for Sprained Back

Most back sprains will heal on their own without medical treatment. Serious sprains or strains might require treatment or even surgical correction. Usually, simple symptomatic treatment is all that is required:

* Ice and heat therapy.

* OTC medication for pain and inflammation relief.

* Hydrotherapy can work wonders for muscle pain.

* Massage is a good way to speed healing and increase circulation to the injury.

Recommendation on Back Sprain

Although this type of muscle injury is possible, it is commonly misdiagnosed. Many patients with perceived cases of physical back muscle injury are actually suffering from psychological back pain. The symptoms are often identical, since oxygen deprivation of the muscles and ligaments causes pain and related discomfort similiar to a physical sprain. If your back muscle symptoms are chronic or last more than a few weeks, consider the possibility that you might have a psychosomatic case of back pain. In this extremely common scenario, make sure to learn more about how knowledge therapy can help you to beat your pain once and for all.

A back spasm is one of the most painful experiences for a patient to endure. Muscle spasms in the back can be truly horrific and debilitating. I am intimately acquainted with these unbelievably painful occurrences, since I suffered with them for 18 years of my adult life.

Back Spasm Pain

A muscle spasm occurs due to a variety of reasons. A spasm is a powerful contraction or stiffening of the muscle. When a muscle goes into spasm, the person is unable to stop the forcible tightening of the muscle and surrounding tissue. Muscle spasms are designed to protect the injured area by limiting motion in painful tissue. Muscle spasms can be brought on by injury, advanced degenerative process, or most commonly, oxygen deprivation.

Oxygen Deprivation Back Spasm

One of the most common reasons for muscle spasms to occur is from ischemia. This is the same process that occurs when a person experiences cramps from continued muscular usage. Long distance runners and other endurance athletes are experts in dealing with this common side effect of their sports. Charlie horse cramps are also examples of ischemic pain and are often experienced when a tired muscle is elevated. This is the reason for the high incidence of leg cramps in bed. The leg muscles do not get the same amount of blood flow and suffer from an deprived state of oxygenation.

Back muscles are some of the biggest and strongest in the body. They are working almost constantly to maintain our posture and balance. These muscles do not fatigue easily, but are still prone to injury and oxygen deprivation. Ischemic cramps in the postural back muscles can be so painful that the patient may feel as if there is a life threatening problem in their spine. The realty, however, is usually just a low oxygen level in these painful muscles. It is a simple process that can have dire results...

Back Spasm Treatment

The horrible pain of a muscle spasm often drives most patients right to their doctor or hospital for emergency treatment. This is usually unnecessary and actually often creates the start of a long lasting chronic pain condition. The doctor will often blame the pain on some coincidental scapegoat condition. This diagnostic nocebo effect can trigger a psychosomatic pain syndrome. This psychological pain will continue long after the original muscle pain has ended. The patient will not even know the difference…

Recommendation for a Back Spasm

Relax and breathe. I know it hurts, trust me, I DO KNOW… I have experienced this terrible oppressive pain countless times. The best thing to do is to simply relax and allow the pain to pass. Do not assume that you will be in pain for days or weeks. Try to more around occasionally and conservatively while resting the muscles. OTC pain relievers might help as will ice and/or heat. Remember that the severity of the pain is NOT an indicator of the extent of the damage. Ischemia leaves no permanent effects once it has passed. Learn the facts about the real nature of your pain and there is a good chance that you will never have to suffer from a back muscle spasm ever again.

Neck Muscle Pain is usually felt in the trapezius, splenius, sternocleidomastoid, scalene and levator scapulae muscles. Muscular pain in the neck can affect the ability to move the head and the arms. Headaches are also a common side effect of muscular cervical pain. Additional information on cervical symptoms can be found in my NECK PAIN section.

Neck Muscle Pain Symptoms

* The main symptom of muscular neck injury is Pain. The muscles of the neck can be very painful when injured. The pain might be steady or come and go depending on the extent of injury. The pain is often made worse when the patient performs certain movements or activities.

* Muscle spasm is not very common in neck injuries. Muscle spasm is when the muscle contracts violently and uncontrollably. This condition is similar to a “Charlie Horse”. Sometimes, the muscles of the upper back can go into spasm due to a neck muscle injury.

* Muscle tightness or stiffness is also common. There might be a “pulling” or abnormal “stretching” feeling when the neck muscles are used. This feeling is most common when reaching for something with the arms or when turning, raising, or lowering the head.

* Headaches may accompany neck muscle injuries. Headache pain can actually be worse than the muscle pain in some cases.

Recommendation for Neck Muscle Pain

Neck muscle injuries are relatively common, since our heavy heads place a lot of stress on the neck. Whiplash injuries and falls are 2 of the most common forms of neck muscle injuries. If you are suffering from muscular neck pain, relax. Muscle pain is aggravated by worry and emotional stress. Have faith that the pain will subside soon. Take time to allow the injury to heal, but make sure to carefully use the muscles. Keeping the muscles immobile for too long will weaken them and actually make it harder for them to heal.

Upper back muscle pain is often felt in the rhomboid, trapezius, infraspinatus, or latissimus dorsi muscles. There can be numerous reasons for muscular upper back pain. Sports injuries, car accidents, or falls can all contribute to pain in the upper region of the back. Upper back pain will affect the ability to turn the head and use the arms. Muscular back pain can be extremely painful, but rarely leaves lasting effects.

Upper Back Muscle Pain Symptoms

* The main symptom of muscular upper back injuries is PAIN. The muscles of the upper back and shoulders can be very painful when injured. The pain might be steady or come and go depending on the extent of injury. The pain is often made worse when the patient performs certain movements or activities.

* Muscle spasm is relatively common in upper back injuries. Muscle spasm is when the muscle contracts violently and uncontrollably. This condition is similar to a “Charlie Horse” and can be very painful in a large back or shoulder muscle.

* Muscle tightness or stiffness is also common. There might be a “pulling” or abnormal “stretching” feeling when the back muscles are used. This feeling is most common when reaching for something with the arms.

Recommendation for Upper Back Muscle Pain

Relax! The pain will go away. The more you obsess over the pain, the longer it will last. Try to let the pain condition run it’s course. Once you are over the critical first 2 days of spasm and pain, start to rehabilitate the muscles. Start slow and be careful. Conservative movement will increase blood circulation to the muscles and accelerate healing.

I have injured my upper back muscles (especially the Trapezius) many times. Martial arts is a high risk activity and has caused me to suffer a number of upper back strains and sprains. I have also aggravated these injuries by training too hard, too soon. (Too many pull-ups and chin-ups…)

I have learned to slow down a little when I get one of these muscle injuries now. I do not want to start a buildup of scar tissue that may be problematic as I get older. One thing I do not do anymore is fear. I know that the pain will go away. The funny thing is that since I started to think this way, I have not suffered any more pulled muscles…

Lower back muscle pain is the most common form of serious back pain. Pain in the lower back is usually felt in the erector spinae and gluteal muscles. These muscles are some of the largest in the body and can be horribly painful when they are injured. Lower back pain will affect the ability to sit, stand, walk, and use your legs.

The symptoms of muscular pain in the lower back can be debilitating and unbelievably painful. It is strange how the pain can be so severe, yet it will leave no lasting effects on the health of the patient. It will certainly leave a considerable scar of fear in the patient’s mind.

Lower Back Muscle Pain Symptoms

* The main symptom of muscular lower back injuries is PAIN. I mean REAL PAIN! Lower back pain can be the worst pain a person might ever feel in their life. The muscles of the lower back and buttocks can be very painful when injured. The pain might be steady or come and go, depending on the extent of injury. The pain is often made worse when the patient does certain movements or activities.

* Muscle spasm is common in lower back injuries. Muscle spasm is when the muscle contracts violently and uncontrollably. This condition is similar to a “Charlie Horse”, and can be terribly agonizing in a large back muscle.

* Muscle tightness or stiffness is also common. There might be a “pulling” or abnormal “stretching” feeling when the back muscles are used.

Recommendation for Lower Back Muscle Pain

I know it hurts…I really do know. I suffered with terrible pain in my lower back for 18 years. There were times that the pain almost made me breakdown and cry. It was unbearable.

The best thing to do for severe muscular back pain is to relax. Take a few days to recover and take it easy. DO NOT lie around for days in bed. Get some rest, but also try to move around gently. Do not assume that you will be injured for weeks. A positive mental attitude is crucial for a fast recovery.

Most lower back muscle pain is due to an injury. This is very possible, especially for people with jobs involving routine hard labor. However, the “injury” is often just a trigger for a pain condition to begin. If you have chronic muscular back pain, learn more about how knowledge therapy might be the real answer to your problem.

Back muscle spasm is always terribly painful. The muscles contract violently and uncontrollably. Every movement might set off a new series of horrible muscular contractions. This experience is often described as the most painful experience of a person’s life. (I can personally agree with that statement 100%!!!)

Immediate First Aid for Back Muscle Spasm

The best idea for a new injury is rest and ice. Try to relax and find a comfortable position. Avoid any movement that will set off a new series of spasms. Apply ice to the area 10- 20 minutes at a time, every 1 to 2 hours. Do not apply ice for longer than 20 minutes. Take some over the counter pain medicine if needed.

Continuing Treatment for Back Muscle Pain

Once the spasm has ended, the back pain will still be there. Now is the time to work on a treatment plan to rehabilitate the muscles.

* Take it easy, but move around. Lying down will make the muscles weak and stiff, prolonging the pain condition.

* Increase the circulation of blood to the area. Heat or Hydrotherapy are gentle and excellent means for increasing blood flow. Oxygen deprivation back pain can be very painful.

* Try to avoid prescription pain killers, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs if possible. Substitute natural pain relief if available. Acupuncture is a good choice.

* Once the pain has improved, use stretching and exercise to rebuild the muscle strength and range of motion. Start slow, and consider using a professional to assist you with your muscle rehabilitation.

* Be careful not to re-injure the same muscles. If necessary, wear a supportive back brace when doing heavy work.

Recommendation for Back Muscle Spasm

I clearly remember having muscle contractions that were worse than the fear of death. Anything seemed like a better situation than to be lying in a hospital bed, drugged up to the point of stupor, yet still in indescribable pain. My muscles were in such violent contraction that the doctors were unable to examine me at all for an entire day! This is my most vivid memory of back pain. I understand the misery of muscular back pain. Please, be patient and it will pass. Keep a positive outlook and realize that the spasm will stop and the pain will fade. The more you worry and obsess over the pain, the longer it will last. Trust me. Once you are better, work on becoming as healthy as possible to prevent further muscle injuries. If you are the victim of chronic muscle pain or recurrent injuries, Knowledge Therapy might be the answer to your long term pain problem.

There are certain pulled back muscle symptoms that are common to all muscular back injuries. Muscle and ligament injuries are not usually serious, but can be extremely painful. The horrible pain might make the patient think that there is serious damage in their back or spine. Remember that muscle pain will not leave permanent damage, as long as it is rehabilitated correctly.

Symptoms of a Pulled Back Muscle

* Pain. The actual site of the injury will hurt. It is also common for the pain to radiate out from a central point into surrounding muscle tissue. The pain might be sharp, burning, dull, aching, blinding, or a combination. The pain might be constant or related to an activity or movement. Doctors always hear, “It hurts when I……..”

* Stiffness or tightness. The affected muscle or ligament might feel stiff and resistant to movement. There may be a “pulling” feeling in the muscle. It might feel shorter than usual, as if it can’t stretch to it’s normal potential.

* Muscle Spasm. Muscles that are newly injured might go into spasm. This is when the muscle contracts violently and uncontrollably. This spasm can last seconds, minutes, or hours. Sometimes, it might last for days…Muscle spasms are terrifically painful.

* Heat in the muscle. Affected area might feel hot to the touch.

Recommendation for a Pulled Back Muscle

Take it easy. Use ice for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling. Get some rest. After the first 2 days, slowly start to move around and get the blood flowing into the muscle. Heat can be great to increase circulation. The main thing to do is to relax. If you worry about the injury or obsess over the pain, you are setting up the ideal conditions for a chronic pain condition to start. Have faith that the pain will be short lived. Work on carefully rehabilitating the injury as soon as it is healed. Try not to let emotional stress affect your body or tighten your muscles.

Many factors can cause back muscle strain by increasing muscular stress. Muscles are strong and able to handle most of the tasks we ask from them. Sometimes we just push too hard, or do repetitive tasks, which can cause a muscle or ligament injury. Muscular back pain is a painful but rarely serious form of spinal complaint.

Back Muscle Strain Causes

* Sports Injuries. Football, baseball, golf, rowing, tennis, martial arts, and weight lifting are all notorious causes of back muscle pain. Almost any sport can cause muscular injury, and care should be exercised to always use safety equipment and proper technique.

* Auto Accidents. Whiplash injuries can affect the neck and upper back muscles. Impact can injure the lower and upper back muscles. Sometimes, these injuries do not become apparent until hours after the car accident.

* Lifting. Common cause of mostly lower back muscle injuries. Lift with a straight back, using your legs. Lifting with a bent back puts huge amounts of force on your lumbar spine. A muscle injury is kind compared to a possible disc injury…

* Repetitive Work. People who do physical work may suffer from overused muscles. People who sit at a desk may suffer from weak and underused muscles. Either condition can cause muscle injuries. Try to balance your life and activity as much as possible.

* Backpacks or heavy bags. Carrying a heavy briefcase all the time, especially in the same hand, can cause muscle injury. Wearing a backpack, especially over only one shoulder, can also cause muscular problems in the upper back and neck.

* Sudden Movements. Lifting, bending or twisting after long periods of inactivity are a great cause of muscle pulls. Warm up and stretch before attempting any vigorous physical activity.

* Being overweight.Increased weight means increased stress on your muscles, joints and bones. More stress increases the chance for all types of injuries, including muscular. Is that extra helping of lasagna really worth the pain?

* Poor Muscular Shape. Inactive people have weak muscles. Weak muscles are easier to injure and take longer to recover.

* Smoking. Smoking is proven to be bad for your muscles, joints and bones. Nicotine interferes with several processes used to build strong bones, heal wounds, and create healthy muscles. We all know smoking is bad, so please… STOP ALREADY!!!

* Stress. My Favorite. Increased mental or emotional stress have been scientifically proven to increase muscle tension. Tight back muscles are more prone to injury. Relaxed person = Relaxed muscles. Tense person = Tense muscles. Tense back muscles = injured muscles. OUCH…

* Childbirth can cause back muscle injuries, especially form pushing during vaginal births.

Recommendation for Back Muscle Strain

You have to live your life and work. I understand that. You can’t stop your job because of some back muscle strain. You can, however, work smarter. Use the best technique and be careful with your body. Alternate activity as much as possible. Break up your day.

Stay healthy and in shape. DON’T SMOKE. Exercise regularly and don’t overdo it, especially when you are injured. Try to stay focused on your activity. Most of all, learn to handle stress. It is the #1 killer in the world. The majority of back muscle strain is actually caused by stress. All back pain is aggravated by stress. Don’t forget heart disease and high blood pressure…

I learned that stress can play a much bigger part in back pain than most people know. That knowledge led me to a cure for my own chronic back pain after 18 years of suffering.

Back muscle pain is an extremely common form of back pain. Up to 80% of adults will suffer from moderate to severe muscular back pain at some time in their lives. Muscle Pain is rarely serious, but can be extremely painful to endure. Chronic muscle pain is commonly called myositis.

• Causes of muscular pain
• Symptoms of muscular pain
• Treatment of muscular pain
• Lower back muscle pain
• Upper back muscular pain
• Neck muscle pain
• Back spasms
• Back muscle sprain
• Tight Back Muscles
• Painful Back Muscle Conditions
• Back Muscle Exercises
  

Types of Back Muscle Pain

Muscle Strain is when the muscle is over stretched or torn. The actual muscle fibers are damaged. Muscle fibers are chains of muscle cells that are grouped together to form a muscle. These chains are normally grouped tightly together. In a muscle strain, the muscle fiber links are separated or even broken, causing muscular damage.

Muscle Sprain is when ligaments are over stretched or torn. Ligaments are very tough, fibrous connecting tissues. The ligaments connect the muscles to their attachments. Ligaments are actually chains of tough cells grouped together to increase their strength. In a muscle sprain, these chains are separated or torn, causing ligament and/or muscle damage.

Additional Information on Back Muscles and Back Muscle Tension including causes and solutions for a chronic stiff back.

Recommendation for Back Muscle Pain

Most muscular pain comes from internal stress and tension. Emotional and psychological stress can cause physical tension to build up in our muscles. This is why we get that “tight” feeling when we have anxiety. The mind and the body are inseparable, and they work together in all that they do. If the mind has stress, muscular pain is often the direct result.

Even if you were injured in a specific accident, there is a chance that internal stress is still to blame. Tense muscles are more susceptible to injury. Tense muscles are a side effect of emotional or mental stress. Try to relax and spare your muscles the pain of injury. I cured my back pain 100% by following this simple advice.

Additional info on stress related back pain