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When I was playing volleyball after that my left side lower back muscle is paining.diagnose and treatment

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lower back muscle strain after volleyball diagnosis treatment

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Diagnosis: Left-Sided Lower Back Muscle Strain (Lumbar Strain)

Based on your description - left-side lower back pain that came on after playing volleyball - the most likely diagnosis is a lumbar muscle strain (also called a pulled back muscle). This is the most common cause of sports-related low back pain and accounts for up to 97% of back pain in the general adult population.

Why Volleyball Causes This

Volleyball involves explosive jumping, diving, spiking, and serving - all of which combine forward flexion and rotation of the lumbar spine. These combined movements carry the highest injury potential for the lumbar muscles. Repetitive loading fatigues the supporting structures, especially the erector spinae and multifidus muscles, which are the main muscles of the lumbar region. Poor core conditioning or technique further increases the risk (Textbook of Family Medicine 9e, p. 796).

Classic Symptoms of Lumbar Strain

Your pain likely fits these features:
  • Unilateral (one-sided) lower back pain - yours is on the left
  • Painful paraspinal muscle spasm
  • Local tenderness when pressing the area
  • Limited range of motion (bending, twisting feels stiff/painful)
  • No leg pain, numbness, or tingling (if you have those, see a doctor urgently)

Red Flag Symptoms - See a Doctor Immediately If You Have:

  • Pain shooting down the leg (sciatica)
  • Numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
  • Loss of bladder/bowel control (emergency)
  • Fever + back pain
  • Pain that started after a direct trauma or fall
  • Pain that does not improve at all in 1-2 weeks

Diagnosis Steps (What a Doctor Would Do)

  1. Physical exam - check lumbar range of motion, do a straight leg raise test to rule out nerve involvement, check neurological function in the legs
  2. Imaging is usually NOT needed in the acute setting for a simple muscle strain - X-rays or MRI are reserved for cases that don't improve with conservative treatment, or if red flags are present (Textbook of Family Medicine 9e, p. 796)

Treatment Plan

Phase 1 - Acute (First 48-72 hours): RICE method:
  • Rest - limit activity, but avoid full bed rest (bed rest does NOT help and may slow recovery)
  • Ice - apply ice pack to the left lower back for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 24-48 hours to reduce inflammation
  • Compression - a lumbar support belt can relieve pain
  • Elevation - keep the limbs comfortable; gentle positioning
Phase 2 - Medications:
  • NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen 400mg every 8 hours with food, or naproxen) are the first-line pain relief - they reduce both pain and inflammation. Take for 5-7 days unless you have a stomach or kidney condition.
  • Muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine or methocarbamol) may be added if muscle spasm is significant - these are short-term only and cause drowsiness
  • Topical heat - after the first 48-72 hours, applying a warm heat pad to the area provides strong evidence-based relief (this is among the most well-supported treatments for acute low back pain in athletes per PMC research)
Phase 3 - Rehabilitation (After 2-3 days, once acute pain settles):
  • Gentle movement - light walking, gentle stretching
  • Knee-to-chest stretch - lie on your back, bring one knee to your chest, hold 20-30 seconds, repeat both sides
  • Cat-cow stretch - on all fours, alternate arching and rounding your back slowly
  • Core stabilization - once pain allows, start exercises targeting the multifidus and transversus abdominis (deep core muscles). These are the most important muscles for preventing recurrence
  • Physiotherapy - if pain persists beyond 1-2 weeks, a physiotherapist can guide sport-specific rehabilitation and technique correction

Return to Volleyball

  • Return only when you have full pain-free range of motion and adequate core strength
  • Address technique issues: proper hip-shoulder rotation during serving/spiking, safe landing mechanics
  • Gradually increase training volume - don't jump back to full intensity

Timeline

Most mild-to-moderate lumbar strains resolve within a few days to 2-3 weeks. However, studies show that without proper rehab, recurrence is common - up to 86% of people have at least one recurrence within a year (Textbook of Family Medicine 9e, p. 796). Doing the rehabilitation exercises properly is key to preventing it from becoming a recurring problem.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes. If your pain is severe, getting worse, or accompanied by leg symptoms, fever, or any of the red flags above, please consult a doctor or physiotherapist in person for a proper examination.
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