The development of pain in the area of the square muscle of the back is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon that makes you feel everyday discomfort, change your usual lifestyle, and suffer from loss of former mobility. What are the causes of such a nuisance? What symptoms indicate damage to the square muscle of the back? How to cure a disease? You can get answers to these and other questions by reading the article.
Anatomy
First, consider the anatomy of a square back muscle. It is located between the bone of the iliac crest of the spine and the 12th rib. It is represented by paired, flat muscles that extend to the back of the abdomen. Includes back and front square muscle.
The determining function is the movement of the ilium of the back. Also, the local musculature pulls the twelfth rib down. The square muscle of the back takes part in the movements of the lower back from side to side. Its bilateral contractions cause the spinal column to pull back in the lumbar region.
Symptoms
How to understand that the cause of back pain is damage to the square muscle of the back? Symptoms are as follows:
- Periodic numbness of the lower extremities, tingling sensation in the feet.
- Regular lower back pain, which eliminates even the refusal of physical activity and high-quality, long-term rest does not help.
- Gradually growing discomfort with the slightest activity.
- Strengthening of unpleasant sensations in the lower back when going to bed.
- Numbness of the tissue in the perineum.
- A feeling of stiffness in the lower part of the spine for half an hour after waking up.
- Spread of pain from the lower back to the buttock area.
If the square muscle of the back is constantly sore, one, several, or a combination of the above symptoms is noted, in this case it is worth thinking about visiting a qualified doctor to undergo a diagnosis.
Causes
There are a wide range of prerequisites for the development of square muscle syndrome. The reason for its occurrence quite often appears to be a sedentary lifestyle, in particular, prolonged sitting every day. The absence of moderate physical exertion on the muscles in the lumbar region leads to stagnant processes. Muscles are poorly supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Local blood flow suffers. Atrophic phenomena cause arbitrary tissue contractions. Muscle fatigue develops. The absence of healthy loads on the muscles of the lower back provokes painful sensations and leads to tissue rigidity.
Another common cause is the presence of incorrect posture. Holding the back in an unnatural position creates additional strain on the muscles. The result is the development of discomfort and a rather noticeable pain syndrome. This is especially true for people who, for one reason or another, have to sit at the computer all day.
In some cases, the syndrome develops in the presence of a congenital pathology of the musculoskeletal system. We are talking about different lengths of the lower extremities. An unequal load occurs on individual parts of the square muscle. Usually pains make themselves felt on the side of the lower back, where the leg is of greater length. Another part of the square muscle is gradually shortened due to minor physical exertion.
Traumatic effects on the lower back can also lead to the development of the syndrome. It can be blows or tissue damage during sports. Negatively affects the state of musculature in this area lifting excessive loads.
The square muscle needs regular training. After all, it is precisely on this muscle that the spine is maintained in a natural position. The weakening of the local muscle corset does not allow to cope with serious physical exertion. Therefore, it is not surprising that without periodic training, the muscle begins to quickly get tired, overloaded, and the pain begins to give back to the lower back.
Diagnostics
How to determine if a square back muscle is damaged? Diagnosis involves a series of examinations. There is a whole range of diseases, the symptoms of which are similar to square muscle syndrome. Among those can be noted:
- osteochondrosis;
- scoliosis;
- arthrosis;
- uterine fibroids;
- bladder infections
- pelvic inflammation.
Therefore, the primary measure is the conduct of ultrasound and radiography. The results of such tests make it possible to exclude the development of the above diseases. According to the results of the diagnosis, doctors get the opportunity to find out whether it is possible to talk about the development of square muscle syndrome.
The presence of the disease can be confirmed by palpation of the area in which discomfort occurs. Feeling the square muscle will cause a significant increase in pain. Especially if there is pressure on the points in the area of the twelfth ribs.
Drug treatment
Eliminate discomfort in the presence of square muscle syndrome allows the use of drugs that belong to the group of muscle relaxants. Such medicines make it possible not only to relieve local pain, but also to relax tissues that are subject to intense arbitrary contraction.
In order to eliminate discomfort, effective anesthetics can be used. Such drugs are injected into the muscles. A good complement to therapy are steroidal drugs that can remove inflammatory processes in the tissues.
Yoga
Regular yoga classes potentially make it possible to unleash a square muscle and significantly reduce the level of pain. The basis of classes should be exercises for stretching the lower back. Exercise has a positive effect on the emotional state of a person who has to constantly suffer from severe discomfort.
Square back muscle: exercises
To resist the development of the syndrome allows the following exercises:
- Sipping up. The body should take upright position. Hands extend as far as possible above the head. Each of them moves in turn, as if you need to get an apple that hangs on a high branch. In this case, the right knee is bent and the hip is pulled, if the left hand reaches up, and vice versa. Each hand carries out 10 such "sips".
- Side stretch. Get on your knees, while your hands rest on the floor. Knees must be closed. The hips should be tilted to the side as much as possible without feeling any discomfort. If the tilt is performed to the left, you should turn your head to the right and look over your shoulder. Then return to the starting position and tilt to the other side.
- Twisting belly. Need to lie on your side. The rib cage unfolds and clings to the floor. Hands extend overhead. A series of deep breaths and exhalations is performed. Then the body turns on the other side, the exercise is repeated.
Exposure to heat and cold
Applying ice packs to the lower back is considered a fairly effective method of eliminating pain in the muscles. The method makes it possible to withstand all kinds of tissue inflammation.
What can be said about applying hot compresses to the lower back? Exposure to heat causes blood to saturate local tissues. Muscles eat better nutrients, metabolic processes are activated. Thus, the pain gradually goes away. Of considerable benefit is the periodic intake of hot baths.