What are the symptoms of psoas muscle injury?

The psoas major refers to a relatively long, spindle-shaped muscle located in our waist. Many of the movements we usually do are completed by the psoas major muscle. If we are not careful when exercising, it will cause damage to the psoas major muscle. Generally speaking, psoas major muscle injuries are more common in middle-aged and elderly people. When patients suffer from psoas major muscle injury, they should take good care to avoid the severity of the disease.

Symptoms of psoas muscle injury

1. In severe cases, the pain is so severe that the patient cannot move immediately. In mild cases, the patient can move, but the pain will worsen after resting or the next morning, and the patient may even be unable to get up. Examination may reveal lumbar muscle spasm. In severe cases, the patient's muscles are as hard as a board and it is difficult to turn over. Unilateral lumbar muscle sprain can cause scoliosis and limited mobility. There is obvious tenderness in one or both sides of the psoas muscles, and the tenderness point depends on the site of injury.

2. Psoas major muscle injury often occurs on one side or both sides of the spine, covering a wide range. When the supraspinal or interspinous ligaments are injured, the tenderness points are mostly on the spinous processes or between the spinous processes. When the iliac lumbar ligaments are injured, the tenderness points are often on the inner upper edge of the posterior superior iliac spine. When the lumbosacral ligaments are sprained, the tenderness points are often located at the lumbosacral junction. In severe sprains, pain may radiate along the muscles to both or one lower limb. But generally it only extends to the popliteal plane, mostly on the posterolateral or anterolateral side of the thigh, and rarely radiates to the calf and foot.

Nursing measures

1. Rest: In the early stage after the injury, it is advisable to lie on your back on a cushioned wooden bed for a short rest, and put a thin pillow under your waist to relax your lumbar muscles; you can also alternate with lying on your stomach to avoid further involvement of the injured tissue, so as to facilitate repair. For mild sprains, you need to rest for 2 to 3 days; for more severe sprains, you need to rest for about a week. 

2. Acupoint massage can be performed after the injury. Select Ren Zhong, Sprain, Shen Shu, Da Chang Shu, Wei Zhong and other acupoints. The intensity of the manipulation should be enough to make the patient feel a strong sense of soreness, numbness and swelling. 

3. Other therapies such as external application of active analgesic plaster for health preservation and bone vitality, internal administration of active analgesics, cupping therapy, acupuncture therapy, local injection of methylprednisolone, physical therapy, etc., all have good therapeutic effects.

4. Patients should pay attention to correcting wrong postures and try to avoid working with their heads down for long periods of time. This is not only bad for the lumbar spine, but also for the cervical spine. Remember to take a few minutes' rest while working, and try to avoid getting your waist cold. You can buy a lumbar support for protection.

5. You should also pay attention to your diet. Eat more dairy products, dried shrimps, soy products, etc. to increase calcium supplements. Pay attention to the nutritional structure and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Keep a healthy diet, don't drink alcohol, be careful not to smoke, and try to reduce physical labor. I wish you a speedy recovery.

6. When the situation is serious, you can perform local Chinese medicine compresses, acupuncture treatment, cupping, massage, etc. You can also perform some physical therapy to relieve inflammation and relieve pain at an early stage, such as ultrasound, microwave, laser, etc., I wish you a speedy recovery, and go to the hospital for treatment in time.