How do you loosen up tight lower back muscles? (2023)

How do you release tightness in your lower back?

Lie on your back flat on the floor with your knees bent. Lift your hips and place a firm cushion or foam roller underneath. Completely relax your body into the floor and into the foam roller/cushion. Hold this pose for 30 to 60 seconds, and repeat the stretch 3 to 5 times, resting 30 to 60 seconds between each set.

There are many causes for tight back muscles and consequent lower back pain, including stress from overuse, acute trauma, spinal arthritis, fibromyalgia, and contractions of the muscle sheath that covers and supports the spine.

Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is acute. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear.

If a dynamic muscle is kept “on” for too long it can become fatigued. For example, sitting at your desk using a mouse won't tire you out immediately, but stay like that for hours and your muscles in your shoulder, upper back and neck become worn out, leading to a sensation of tightness.

“The key is to stop stretching, and to strengthen these muscles,” she says. “The tightness feeling often goes away once the muscle is strong enough to meet the demands you're placing on it.”

Rest. Perhaps the best and most natural way to relax your muscles is to rest. Make sure to get lots of sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and try not to overwork the affected muscle. Using heat pads or ice packs on the muscle can provide immediate relief.

Walking, swimming, and biking may all help reduce back pain. Start with short sessions and build up over time. If your back is hurting, try swimming, where the water supports your body. Avoid any strokes that twist your body.

How many days does it take to loosen tight muscles?

“Roll your tight muscles a minimum of once a day for 10 days to two weeks, or until you feel relief,” says Biggart. “Two to three times a day is even better.

General Discussion. Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare acquired neurological disorder characterized by progressive muscle stiffness (rigidity) and repeated episodes of painful muscle spasms. Muscular rigidity often fluctuates (i.e., grows worse and then improves) and usually occurs along with the muscle spasms.

Massage helps to reduce tight muscles by reducing tension. High muscle tone causes an increase in tension. Massage helps to reduce high muscle tone by increasing blood circulation, increasing temperature of the soft tissues and removing waste products. Massage increases blood circulation into the muscles.

No muscle relaxers are available over the counter in the U.S., but some OTC medications can have muscle-relaxing effects. These include guaifenesin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen.

In some cases, muscle tightness and rigidity may come with other symptoms, such as muscle pain, muscle spasms, or reduced mobility. Mild muscle tightness and rigidity is often benign and treatable.

Although most muscle aches and pains go away on their own within a short time, sometimes muscle pain can linger for months. Muscle pain can develop almost anywhere in your body, including your neck, back, legs and even your hands. The most common causes of muscle pain are tension, stress, overuse and minor injuries.

Tight muscles can lead to a decrease in your range of motion. When this happens, you increase the likelihood of straining the muscles in your back. Stretching can help heal an existing back injury by stretching the muscles.

Get immediate medical care if you have muscle pain with:

Trouble breathing or dizziness. Extreme muscle weakness. A high fever and stiff neck.