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Why is my back breaking out so bad: How to see clearer skin

by alexxlab

How to see clearer skin

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Back Acne: How to Treat It

Back Acne: How to Treat It

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Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M. D., FAAD — By Rena Goldman — Updated on March 8, 2019

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You may be able to clear or prevent back acne with habits like exfoliating regularly, wearing loose clothes, and making certain dietary changes. If that doesn’t work, treatment can include medication.

Pimples can be a challenge to treat, no matter where you get them. Unfortunately, getting pimples isn’t limited to your teen years. Acne can happen at any age for a variety of reasons. Pimples can appear on any part of your body, including your back.

But it’s possible to clear up those blemishes. Here’s how:

There are many reasons people get acne, so it’s important to know why and how pimples form.

Your body produces an oil called sebum. It’s made in the glands connected to your hair follicles. Sebum moves up the hair follicles to add moisture to your skin and hair.

Pimples form when extra sebum and dead skin cells build up. This buildup blocks skin pores and bacteria. When the hair follicle wall swells out, it forms a whitehead pimple. When the clogged pore gets exposed to air, blackhead pimples form.

Some common causes of acne are:

  • Genetics. Trouble with acne can run in your family.
  • Medications. Acne can develop as a side effect of some medicines like certain antidepressants.
  • Hormones. Hormonal changes in the teenage years are often the cause of acne. But for women past puberty, pimple outbreaks can be linked to hormonal changes that happen during menstruation and pregnancy.
  • Sweat. Sweat, especially if it’s trapped under tight clothing, can make acne worse.
  • Stress. Stress isn’t a direct cause of acne, but it could be a contributing factor.

Some research shows that foods you eat could be linked to acne.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there is some evidence that certain carbohydrates (e.g. white bread, potato chips) known to increase your blood sugar levels can also contribute to acne. For some, dairy products might also be a trigger.

In most cases, you can get rid of acne by making some lifestyle changes and using at-home remedies. Here are some things you can do to get rid of back acne:

1. Shower after a workout

Letting the sweat and dirt sit on your skin after a workout can be a big contributor to back acne. Shower as soon as you can after a workout. You should also wash those sweaty workout clothes between sweat sessions.

2. Exfoliate

Use a gentle exfoliating scrub with ingredients such as salicylic acid to remove extra dirt and oils from your skin. This can help reduce the amount of dead skin that could clog pores.

3. Wear loose-fitting clothing

Your workout habits can irritate back acne. For example, tight clothing can trap dirt and sweat and rub it into your pores. Working out with no shirt against a sweaty gym machine or on a dirty floor, can also cause problems.

Go for loose-fitting clothing that lets your skin breathe and helps wick away sweat.

4. Try tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of a tree in Australia. It’s been used by Australians for years to treat a variety of skin issues. Today, you can find many lotions, cleansers, and creams using the ingredient.

There is some evidence to suggest it might help in treating acne by killing extra bacteria.

5. Keep hair off your back

Long hair may be adding oil and dirt to the skin on your back, causing acne outbreaks. Wash your hair regularly, and put it in a bun or ponytail during sweat sessions.

Also, don’t allow conditioner or shampoo to run down your back. Ingredients in these products can contribute to clogged pores.

6. Choose sunscreen carefully

Protecting your skin from damaging sun is important, especially if you’re exposing your bare back. But greasy sunscreen can also contribute to clogging pores. Make sure to choose products that are oil-free and light on the skin.

7. Eat healthy

Ever heard the expression “you are what you eat?” An unhealthy diet can affect our bodies in a variety of ways. If you’re prone to acne, certain foods could be triggers.

Research shows that foods high on the glycemic index (GI), meaning they cause your blood sugar to rise quickly, may make acne worse. These foods include white breads, white pasta and rice, and white potatoes.

It’s a good policy to practice eating a healthy, balanced diet with lots of:

  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • lean protein
  • whole grains

Some people need a little extra help when it comes to clearing up acne. If you’ve tried home remedies and aren’t getting relief, a dermatologist can prescribe oral medications or medicated creams.

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin conditions, so they can also help you to find out the causes and triggers for your back acne.

Back acne is a treatable condition. Most people can get relief by using at-home treatments. However, if your acne is severe or the pimples are very large, you might need treatment from a doctor. You can book an appointment with a dermatologist in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool.

Fast fact

  1. For women who have acne caused by hormones, taking regular birth control pills can help reduce pimples.

Was this helpful?

Last medically reviewed on March 28, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • Acne. (n.d.).
    aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/acne
  • Acne. (2018).
    womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/acne?from=AtoZ
  • American Academy of Dermatology. (2013). Growing evidence suggests possible link between diet and acne [Press release].
    aad.org/media/news-releases/growing-evidence-suggests-possible-link-between-diet-and-acne
  • Canavan TN, et al. (2016). Optimizing non-antibiotic treatments for patients with acne: A review. DOI:
    doi.org/10.1007/s13555-016-0138-1
  • Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Acne.
    mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/causes/con-20020580

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Mar 8, 2019

Written By

Rena Goldman

Edited By

Nizam Khan (TechSpace)

Mar 28, 2017

Medically Reviewed By

Sarah Taylor, M.D., FAAD

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Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M.D., FAAD — By Rena Goldman — Updated on March 8, 2019

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Back muscle strain: symptoms and treatment

Back muscle strain is a common condition that is characterized by damage to muscle fibers and soft tissues. It is accompanied by pain and discomfort, aggravated by sudden movements. To restore damaged structures, it is recommended to follow the doctor’s prescriptions, attend physiotherapy and osteopathic sessions.

At Dr. Length’s clinic, all patients with back sprains use complex treatment and an individual approach. The combination of traditional methods and author’s methods of therapy allows you to get a guaranteed result in improving the patient’s well-being.

The main reason for stretching the back muscles is a sharp increase in load, which leads to damage to muscle fibers and soft tissues. This condition can occur when playing sports, at work associated with physical labor, as well as with sudden movements.

Risk factors for injury:

  • weak muscular frame that cannot withstand intense motor loads;
  • low level of physical activity leading to unpreparedness of the musculoskeletal system;
  • traumatic injuries;
  • diseases of the spine, muscular system.

These conditions are characterized by an increased risk of injury to the skeletal muscles located on the back. In this case, the patient develops characteristic symptoms.

How sprain manifests itself: signs and symptoms

The main symptom of muscle strain is a sharp pain syndrome, which is accompanied by limited mobility. The patient experiences difficulty when trying to turn the body to the side or bend over. Similar symptoms are associated with reflex muscle spasm.

Severity of pain – from mild to intense, in which any movement is impossible. The area of ​​damage may be edematous, swollen, reddened when compared with healthy areas of the body. With a traumatic origin of damage to the skin, hematomas become noticeable.

Pain in some cases extends to the groin, buttocks or thighs. This is due to irritation of the nerve bundles when they are damaged. If the pain is localized, then only soft tissues or muscles are damaged.

There are several degrees of sprain severity:

  • Moderate degree is characterized by a mild pain syndrome, which disappears within 2-4 days.
  • Moderate severity is associated with severe pain that limits the mobility of a person, requiring medical attention.
  • Severe muscle strain results in severe swelling, bruising, limited range of motion. Symptoms persist for several weeks. During this period, the patient needs complex treatment.

If the back muscles are strained, pain persists for more than 2 days, or the inability to move the body, seek medical attention immediately.

Approaches to treatment

Stretching of the back muscles requires complex therapy. In the first 2-3 days, it is recommended to observe bed rest, complete immobilization. This allows you to avoid the progression of damage, to prevent complications of the injury. Cold compresses are used to reduce swelling. It is possible to use painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs.

The clinic practices modern methods of treatment – manual therapy, osteopathy, Di-Tazin procedures, kinesio taping and physiotherapy techniques. They work in combination, providing a quick recovery of damaged tissues, the disappearance of pain, finding balance in movements.

Di-tazine therapy

Di-tazine treatment is the author’s method of non-invasive elimination of muscle strain and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It combines three types of exposure: photodynamic laser therapy, multicomponent electrophoresis, manual techniques. Each of these methods has its own positive effect on the body:

  • Manual techniques eliminate violations of muscle tone, ensure the normalization of blood circulation in the area of ​​injury.
  • Electrophoresis with drugs allows you to stimulate the recovery of damaged muscle fibers, soft tissues. Medicines with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and stimulating effects are used.
  • Photodynamic treatment with the introduction of Photoditazine into the body. This drug accumulates at the site of injury. When this area is exposed to the LED installation, the drug molecules are activated, stimulating regeneration.

The Ditazine therapy method can be used in patients of any age. The list of contraindications is minimal. The procedure is not used if the patient has benign or malignant neoplasms.

Osteopathy

This is a modern branch of medicine that differs from other areas of medical care by a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The best osteopaths in our clinic take into account the system nature of the human body, the individuality of reactions to any internal and external factors. Thanks to this, the doctor can establish the true root cause of the pathology, and by eliminating it, achieve a complete recovery of the patient.

In osteopathy and manual therapy, the doctor uses only his hands to influence the human body. This allows you to achieve high safety while maintaining the effectiveness of treatment. Such therapy should only be provided by a specialist who has received appropriate basic training and experience in the treatment of such diseases.

A positive therapeutic effect is observed when using exercise therapy and massage. Both methods are indicated for patients outside the acute period of stretching, when restoration of damaged structures is required. Physiotherapy exercises and massage improve blood supply to muscles and soft tissues, stimulate their regeneration, which helps to avoid complications and progression of disorders.

Kinesiology taping can be used for muscle strain. This is a modern method of prevention and treatment of such injuries, which is actively used in professional sports. Tape is a special adhesive tape applied to the back area by a specialist. Thanks to this device, the load on muscle fibers, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues is reduced. With independent kinesio taping, the effect may be absent, since the tapes are applied in a certain way.

In addition to the above methods of treating muscle strain, drugs are used, and outside the acute period, physiotherapy procedures are used. Such techniques are aimed at eliminating the symptoms of damage, primarily pain and inflammatory changes. In the clinic of Dr. Length, therapy is mainly based on modern approaches: osteopathy, manual and Di-Tazin therapy. Their combination allows you to quickly remove the clinical manifestations of the disease in patients, gradually achieving a full recovery.

Why do patients come to us?

Clinic Dr. Length has a great positive experience in the treatment of sprains of the back muscles. It became possible due to the following factors:

  • Use of only modern methods of diagnostics and treatment. All our approaches are based on scientific research. The work uses the clinical recommendations of Russian and foreign medical communities.
  • All specialists of the medical institution undergo regular training in the leading centers of osteopathy and manual therapy, mastering new techniques, improving their skills.
  • Appointment of rehabilitation measures that allow you to restore the quality of life of the patient, prevent relapses.
  • Individual approach to each patient. Stretching of the back muscles is often associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, internal organs or the nervous system. Thanks to osteopathy, it is possible to identify the root cause of violations, to choose methods for its elimination.

To make an appointment with a doctor, call or leave a request on the website. The administrator of the center will contact you and answer your questions.

Material checked by an expert

Mikhailov Valery Borisovich

Manual therapist, vertebrologist, neurologist

Work experience – 25 years

Wrong load during surfing

Regular surf lessons can lead to injury if the load on the shore is not compensated . Article about dangers and preventive measures.

Surfing is a sport that is played for pleasure, but for health, you have to add a decent amount of exercise on the beach to compensate for the uneven load. I have a friend, Sasha Pavlov, who is a surfer and a professional fitness trainer who is well versed in physiology. I asked him to talk about exactly how a surfer suffers from his passion, and whether it is possible to correct or at least reduce the negative effect of surfing.

A bit of general physiology

All muscles are connected in a common chain, and they are connected by fascia – connective tissue, elastic, but elastic, which does not allow the muscles to move apart, keeps the fibers together. Each muscle is in its own fascia, each bundle of muscles is also wrapped in a common fascia, such a structure gives the body density and creates internal pressure. The body of the muscle is attached to the bone by a tendon.

The little white shells are the fasciae

When the body of the muscle contracts, movement is obtained. In human anatomy, two sides are distinguished – anterior and posterior, and the muscles are divided into flexors and extensors (they are called antagonists in relation to each other, for example, biceps and triceps). Any movement is the joint work of three muscle groups: the main muscle shortens, performs work, making the so-called concentric contraction. There is also a synergist muscle, it also contracts concentrically, but in this movement it is auxiliary, it takes on a small part of the work. The antagonist muscle is also included in the work, it, in turn, lengthens, but it does it in a controlled manner, therefore this movement is called an eccentric contraction.

Ideally, these muscles and therefore the sides of the body work in a balanced way, but unfortunately this is often not the case. In our body, everything is interconnected, and if there is a violation or imbalance in some place, the body tries to compensate for it with available means. In the case of muscles and the skeleton, these compensations sometimes lead to sad consequences. When one muscle prevails over its antagonist, the correct compensation does not work out, we begin to “bend” towards a stronger muscle, and the body tries to take a detour. This is how inversions are obtained, for example, if the pelvis is shifted forward or backward for one reason or another, the natural center of gravity shifts in the opposite direction. It can also happen because of the head: for someone who looks at the phone a lot, the head goes forward and the body must adjust so as not to collapse – the pelvis and thoracic region adjust. This results in kyphosis and arthrosis, and if the pelvis goes to the side – scoliosis, it can be caused by constant sitting cross-legged.

I have S-shaped scoliosis – a curvature in the lumbar region and a slightly smaller, compensatory, in the thoracic region, the shoulders from this one are slightly higher than the other. And the story is this: as a child, I always did my homework, “thrown my legs behind my ears”, one leg under the booty, the other lies somewhere nearby on the table, in short, I sat super crooked. I remember how happy I was: “It’s great that my mother does not drive me for this.” Now I’m not up to joy, I’m upset that my mother didn’t chase me for posture. This is for new moms.

Iren Oraylie

Life story

In general, the body can compensate for imbalances without us even noticing it. For the time being. But it always breaks in a weak spot, and problems come out either with age, or when we suddenly start doing something, for example, surfing, and the body says: “Well, no.”

Weak spot #1. Back Muscles

Strictly speaking, surfing is riding the waves, but in fact 90% of the time we devote to surfing is rowing. This is the most “labor-intensive” part, and the execution technique implies a strong back deflection, and in statics, you bend over and row with your hands. Being in constant tension, the muscle shortens, and the fibers themselves contract unevenly – some return to normal length, and some shrink and get stuck in this state. So, when probing an overstrained muscle, it is easy to find hard areas in it that look like “lumps”, they are called triggers. The most unpleasant thing is that triggers not only cannot relax, they also do not let blood through, as a result, the tissues suffer and hurt. Careless movement with insufficient warm-up or in cold water can lead to injury – compressed, inelastic parts of the muscle fiber simply tear.

What to do: stretching and massage

Overstrain occurs during prolonged muscle work, so after training you need to stretch. I know from my own experience how lazy it is to do this when you go out, you want to drink, eat, go home, etc. I came up with a life hack: make it a rule to unfasten the leash without raising your leg, but bending down. Stretching a muscle after a long load is very pleasant, therefore, reaching for the Velcro, you feel pleasure and want to linger in this position, or maybe even twist a little to the sides.

I go to the gym, but I don’t work my back there, only my legs, buttocks and abs. What you see is the result of surfing.

*illustration, of course, is not required here. I guess I just wanted to brag.

Even with regular stretching, triggers can form and massage can help get rid of them. The process includes three stages: at the first stage, you need to “break” the trigger, knead it strongly, forcing the muscle area to relax. After relaxing, the muscle must be stretched, and when stretched, it must be brought into tone. Having got used to it, you can break the triggers yourself with the help of a golf ball or a special roller – find a sore spot, squeeze the ball between it and the floor / wall and roll it. Then bend over and stretch the muscle, and then lie on your stomach and do a few shoulder lifts.

Weak spot #2. Spine

And again about 90% rowing. It turns out that most of the time, surfers have a strong use of the back extensors, small in size, but very strong muscles. Due to constant static stress, these muscles are in hypertonicity, that is, in a contracted state all the time, and not just during surfing. As a result, the “back” side of the body begins to tighten, arching the spine forward, like a bow with a stretched bowstring, and the first problem comes out very quickly – protrusion, this is when the intervertebral disc has bulged, the next stage is already a hernia.

What to do: train your abs and buttocks

For the muscles to work properly, the antagonists in the body must be strong in a certain proportion. For most flexors-extensors, such as biceps and triceps, this is a 1:1 ratio. For even posture and a healthy back, the front and back sides of the torso should be pumped in a 1: 2 ratio, that is, the back is twice as strong as the press. However, in order for a very strong back not to overstretch the spine, surfers still need very strong abs. The muscles of the press recover quickly, so you can pump it at least every day, do different twists, planks, raise your legs, holding on to the crossbar, and perform exercises with additional weight. It is advisable, in addition to the main workout, to do 2-3 sets of 20 twists each time after skiing, but here the story is like stretching, few people can do it. I manage to do this on surf trips, because you usually sit in them right at the spot, that is, you can go home in a swimsuit and work out a little. Plus more free time.

The synergistic muscles, the gluteus maximus, help keep a good back arch. The stronger they are, the better the load will be distributed and the back will not be overstrained. Therefore, all surfers, and not just girls, need to squat and pump their ass in a different way.

This illustration clearly shows how the muscles of the back and legs work in a pair, the same thing happens during surfing. If you want to unload your back a little, lift it a little higher than your legs.

Another important point: as mentioned earlier, the antagonist muscles work in pairs, when one shortens – the other lengthens. You cannot forcefully stretch a clamped muscle, but by contracting its antagonist, the brain sends a command to the muscle to eccentric contraction, that is, in fact, a signal to return to its physiological length. Thus, if you have overstrained back muscles, shake your abs, it will become easier.

Weak spot #3. Shoulder joint

Similar to the case with the back and abs, the muscles of the shoulder girdle are also unevenly loaded during surfing. The shoulder blades (posterior and middle deltoid muscles) are constantly working, becoming stronger and begin to “pull” the shoulder joint back. This joint is the most mobile in our body, its structure is such that if the muscles on one side pull it harder (in this case from the back), the humerus begins to press against the bones of the shoulder blades, creating excessive friction, as a result of which the articular tissue is erased, edema and severe pain begins.

What to do: pump the chest muscles

The solution is again similar to the previous example – you need to pump the antagonist muscles so that they balance the strength of the “rear deltas” and keep the joint in a physiological position. The anterior deltoid muscle works during push-ups (teikof does not count, this load is not enough), as well as when lifting weights in front of you, for example, dumbbells on outstretched arms to chest level. The same exercises will help compensate for too strong trapezius and rhomboid muscles (this is also the upper back), since, being pumped, they also tighten the back. Chest with a wheel is good in moderation, and not in moderation – no better than stoop affects posture and the position of internal organs.

If you want to be a surfer,
will have to become a
jock.

In general, the same story applies to the elbow joints, but they are less mobile in different planes, and therefore it is more difficult to erase them. However, while rowing, you need to pay attention to the technique (I have a whole article about rowing). It’s bad if only biceps or only triceps work for you, this happens if the elbow joint is fixed during the stroke (row only with a straight or only bent arm). It is correct to tune the arm forward, then bend the arm, putting the strength of the biceps into the stroke, and then take it even further back due to the work of the triceps.

Weak spot #4. Neck

One of the most dangerous injuries that you can get from regular surfing is a protrusion in the cervical spine. Right now, sitting with a straight neck, put your hand on the 6th vertebra, this is the one that is above the most protruding 7th. Now tilt your head back. Do you feel how he went deep inside? So, while rowing on the board, he is constantly in this position, pushing the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal, where it squeezes the blood vessels, worsening the blood supply to the brain. Protrusion is not yet a hernia, but its harbinger, and symptoms can be headaches, pain in the neck itself, and even numbness in the limbs.

What to do: do not lie on the board all the time

In general, the only preventive measure is to take care of yourself and not lie on the board too much. It is better to wait for the wave while sitting, keeping your neck straight or even slightly bowing your head. One of my surfer friends went to the doctors because of pain in his neck and numbness of his fingers, he wanted to do an MRI, but it turned out to be enough x-rays. Since the stage was the very beginning, and the operation is dangerous with severe complications, the doctor advised me to just watch my posture and do yoga. He advised the latter as if in secret, because it is already more traditional medicine, but it works. Several individual lessons, where the instructor showed the correct poses for strengthening and “straightening” the neck, and my friend went on the mend.

More tips

It is important to understand that the injuries listed above are cumulative, that is, they have a cumulative effect and do not appear immediately. Health must be dealt with, as they say, after 30 years, the guarantee for the body ends. In addition to the topics discussed above, Sasha focused on how important stretching the back of the legs is. Stretching the gluteus and biceps femoris affects the position and health of the pelvis, body mobility and range of motion. Not only for surfing, but in general for life. And then he gave useful advice: you need to start stretching by rolling the ball with your foot. There are many small muscles in the foot, and the fascia of the legs is single and very rigid, it starts just on the sole, so you need to knead there first of all. We take a hard ball, the ideal one is a golf ball, and roll it for 5 minutes with each foot, properly rubbing all the muscles and tendons. After that, you can already move on to the slopes and pull the calves and hips. I started to roll the ball regularly, and I want to say that this exercise helps to wake up perfectly and invigorates pleasantly, at first it hurts, but then it’s a real buzz.