Muscle and lumbar sprains are some of the most common causes of lower back pain. A sprain is different from a strain, in that a strain occurs when the muscle fibers of this area of the body are abnormally stretched or torn beyond their normal movement. However, a sprain occurs when the ligaments that hold the bones together are torn from their attachments. Differentiating between the two can often be difficult since the injuries sometimes exhibit similar symptoms. In fact, most doctors consider the two to be related as they refer to them both as “musculoligamentous injuries” and are treated in the same manner.
The most common ways to sustain these injuries is by improperly lifting a heavy object or twisting the back in an unnatural manner. Because some occupations require these actions by their employees, you may experience this injury while performing the daily tasks of your job. If this happens, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits from your employer to help pay for your medical bills and lost wages due to missed work. However, to make sure you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled, you may want to consider hiring an experienced attorney to file your claim. That way, you can focus on recovery and let a professional handle all of the paperwork and deadlines.
The following symptoms are indicative of a serious lower back injury:
- Pain in the lower back or upper buttocks
- Muscle spasms in the lower back
- Pain associated with activities and usually alleviated by rest
However, if you exhibit the following symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately as these could be indicative of a more serious spinal injury:
- Loss of control of bladder or bowels
- Progressive weakness in your lower extremities
- Severe or constant pain
Regardless of the severity of your symptoms, you deserve to receive benefits if your injury was sustained on the job. However, these claims processes can often be difficult and time-consuming, so it is best to hire a legal professional to handle your individual case.
To learn more about back injuries and workers’ compensation benefits, visit the web site of the New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_S_Caldwell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Lower-Back-Strain-or-Lumbar-Sprain&id=4587334
