There are a number of different conditions that can result from lumbar pain. An annular tear is one of them. It is a specific type of lumbar strain or sprain caused by tearing the annulus fibrosus. If you have an annular tear, you’ll need to take special pain management care to avoid further aggravating your condition. Here are five reasons why you could have an annular tear in your lumbar:
Lumbar Sprain
A lumbar sprain is an injury that affects the ligaments of the lower back. It’s most often caused by excessive bending or twisting of the lumbar region. If a lumbar strain isn’t appropriately treated, it can lead to more severe conditions, including a disc herniation or a lumbar disc tear.
Most lumbar sprains are mild. The resulting pain is often a dull ache that can come and go. It may make movement difficult, but it shouldn’t cause you to lose mobility altogether. A moderate lumbar sprain may cause more intense pain. It can make it difficult to sleep due to the inability to find a comfortable position. A severe lumbar sprain can be debilitating. It may cause intense, throbbing pain and make walking impossible without assistance.
Lumbar Strain
A lumbar strain is a type of injury resulting from the overuse of the muscles in your lower back. It occurs when these muscles reach their maximum capacity and produce a muscle tear. Lumbar strains are similar to sprains, except they don’t involve a tear in the spine’s ligaments.
A lumbar strain is likely to be caused by a single episode of excessive movement (such as lifting a heavy object). It can be mild, moderate, or severe. A mild strain may cause pain only when you’re active. A moderate strain may cause painful muscle spasms that make movement difficult. With a severe strain, it may be impossible to walk without assistance.
Lumbar Disc Herniation
A lumbar disc herniation is a medical condition in which one or more of the lumbar discs rupture and protrude into the spinal canal. These ruptures can occur spontaneously or after an injury to the lumbar region. If a disc herniation occurs in your lower back, the protruding material can pressure your spinal nerves, resulting in lumbar pain and numbness in your legs. This can cause weakness in your legs, making it difficult to walk. A disc herniation is graded on a scale of 1 to 4. The grade 1 herniation is a mild condition that doesn’t affect mobility whereas grade 4 herniation is a severe condition that may need surgery.
Lumbar Disc Tear
A lumbar disc tear is a medical condition in which one or more of your lumbar discs rupture and can no longer function properly. The causes of disc tears include overuse, trauma, or degenerative changes. They can occur in younger people who don’t have the same wear and tear as older people. A disc tear can be graded on a similar scale to herniation.
Lumbar Muscle Straining
A lumbar muscle strain is an injury caused by excessive stress on your lower back muscles. It results in pulling or tearing the muscle fibers and can be both acute and chronic. Muscle strains are common in the lumbar region, especially among those who participate in physical activity.
An acute lumbar muscle strain is a sudden injury caused by lifting too much weight or participating in overly strenuous activities. The pain is sudden and intense. A chronic lumbar muscle strain is a gradual injury caused by overuse. The pain from a chronic muscle strain is gradual and can be difficult to notice.
Pain Management
There are several home techniques you can try for pain management:
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: You can reduce pain and strengthen the tendon by performing exercises that decrease the amount of force the tendon is under during movement. For example, if you’re dealing with an annular tear in your hamstring, you should perform hamstring stretching and leg strengthening exercises.
- Padding and Taping: Padding and taping protect the injured area while supporting the surrounding muscles and tendons.
- Heat Therapy: It is used to warm up and relax the muscles surrounding torn tendons. Heat can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation by increasing blood flow to the injured area.
Consulting with a medical clinic can help you manage your symptoms and heal from the damage. Try home techniques with medical treatments to receive the full range of lumbar tear healing.
