Soft Tissue Pain
Pain Management Services in Central Texas
Soft tissue pain is caused by an injury or strain to muscles, tendons or ligaments in the lower or middle back. It is most commonly exhibited in the lumbar spine (lower back) because this section of the back is extremely flexible and supports the majority of the body’s weight. This combination of flexibility and stress makes the lumbar spine particularly susceptible to injury, which is why nearly everyone experiences lower back pain at some point in their life.
The good news about soft tissue back pain is that it almost always responds to conservative, nonsurgical treatment. Although, if your pain persists for more than a few days it is a good idea to visit one of our clinics to ensure an underlying issue isn’t actually causing your discomfort.
Causes & Treatments
The most common cause of back pain is soft tissue injury. These injuries have a bad habit of happening when you least expect them, and quite often are caused by something seemingly minor like a tweak from yard work – or something as major as a car accident. In most cases, soft tissue back pain will heal on its own after a few days of taking it easy, but if your pain is severe or lasting, it is a good idea to visit your doctor to diagnose your problem. After a full review of your medical history and a physical examination, we will typically recommend a conservative treatment plan that may include:
- Pain medication like acetaminophen
- Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen
- Heat therapy to increase circulation
- Cold therapy to reduce swelling
- Deep tissue massage to relax the back muscles
- Physical therapy or stretching to strengthen the back muscles
- Limited rest to heal