A lumbar strain is an injury to muscles or tendons of the low back. This can lead to pain, stiffness, or spasms.

Injury can damage the tendons and muscles in the low back. Pushing and pulling sports, such as weightlifting or football, can lead to a lumbar strain. So can sports that need sudden twisting of the low back. These include tennis, basketball, baseball, and golf.

Certain risk factors can increase the risk for this injury. The risk factors are:

• Severe low back curvature
• Forward-tilted pelvis
• Weak back or belly (abdominal) muscles
• Tight hamstrings

Each person's symptoms may be different. Symptoms may include:

• Sudden low back pain
• Spasms in the low back that result in more severe pain
• Low back feels sore to the touch

Some of these symptoms may be caused by other health problems. Always talk with your doctor for a diagnosis.

The doctor will take a complete health history and do a physical exam. Special tests are not often needed for diagnosis. But you may have some tests done, such as:

• X-ray. A diagnostic test that makes images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
• CT scan. This is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. It shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs.
• MRI. This test uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer. It makes detailed images of organs and structures in the body.
• Radionuclide bone scan. A nuclear imaging method that uses a very small amount of radioactive material. This is injected into your blood to be found by a scanner. This test shows blood flow to the bone and cell activity in the bone.
• Electromyogram. A test to check nerve and muscle function.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.

Treatment may include:

• Staying active, such as by taking walks. Return to usual activities as soon as possible.
• Heat or ice applied to the back
• Stretching and strengthening exercises

Medicines may also be used to ease pain and inflammation. These include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and spinal injections.

Contact your doctor if you have any of these:

• Can't stand or walk
• Temperature over 101.0°F (38.3°C) or as advised by your doctor
• Chills
• Frequent, painful, or bloody urination
• Severe belly pain
• Sharp, stabbing pain
• Constant pain
• Pain or numbness in your leg
• Pain in a new area of your back
• The pain isn't decreasing after more than a week

Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these:

• Pain spreading down the leg.
• Pain as well as fever or chills, leg weakness, or loss of control of the bladder or bowels.

Try heat or ice, whichever feels better. Apply it for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Put a thin cloth between the heat or ice and your skin. You might also try switching between heat and ice.

Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Staying active while your back heals is one of the best things you can do to take care of yourself. Take several short walks a day, and get back to your usual activities as soon as you can.

Exercise can help you get stronger and more flexible, helping prevent reinjury. Ask your doctor about specific exercises.

• When moving, bend at the hips and knees. Don't bend at the waist or twist around.
• When lifting, keep the object close to your body. Don't try to lift more than you can handle.
• When sitting, keep your lower back supported. Use a rolled-up towel as needed.

• Lumbar refers to your lower back.
• Lumbar strain is injury to the tendons or muscles of the low back, causing pain and soreness.
• Nonsurgical methods can cure most low back pain.
• Call your doctor if symptoms don't get better over the next few days or if symptoms get worse.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions, especially after office hours or on weekends and holidays.