How To Treat Back Muscle Spasms – The Causes and Treatments

Duới đây là các thông tin và kiến thức về How to get rid of muscle spasms in back hay nhất được tổng hợp bởi thomo.today

Get rid of muscle spasms in back

While most muscle spasms in the back are harmless and can be effectively treated, some indicate that there’s an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Most of the time “spasming” is the body’s natural protection mechanism – usually indicating you just “strained or “pulled” a muscle.

First, What is a Muscle Spasm?

In general, muscle spasms can occur when a muscle involuntarily and forcibly contracts and is unable to relax.[2] Muscle spasms can involve part or all of a muscle, and in some cases may involve several muscles in a muscle group.

The pain associated with muscle spasms can vary from burning, to sharp stabbing, tightness, numbness, or severe pain. While some muscle spasms don’t interfere with normal activities, others can be debilitating and last for days/weeks.[3]

Other symptoms that may accompany muscle spasms include:

  • The affected muscle/s may feel harder to the touch than normal.[2]
  • You’re unable to stand or walk.[3]
  • You have pain or numbness in your leg.[3]
  • The affected muscle/s may appear visibly distorted.[2]
  • The affected muscle/s may appear to be twitching.[2]
  • Muscle soreness that may last for days following the spasm.[3]

4 Main Causes of Muscle Spasms In The Back

Muscle spasms can occur in anyone at any time, however, there are some common causes of muscle spasms including:

1. Muscle strain or injury

A spasm in the back can occur as the result of any type of strain or injury to the soft tissues of the back, including the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. For example, heavy lifting, as well as sports that involve sudden and repetitive movements, are common causes of muscle spasm in the back. However, any type of activity that puts excessive strain on the muscles of the back can lead to an injury, and subsequently muscle spasm.[1][3]

2. Underlying issues with your spinal anatomy

Xem thêm: Male fertility: 10 tips for men trying to conceive | Live Science

If you notice that your back spasms aren’t getting better, or if they repeatedly happen in the same area of your back, you may have an underlying issue with your spine, such as a disc herniation, spinal stenosis, arthritis, or other degenerative disc conditions. In cases where there is an underlying anatomical issue, the muscles of your back react to the pain and inflammation by going into spasm.[1][3]

3. Weak back muscles

Strong abdominal and back muscles help to provide support to the back and prevent muscle spasm. On the other hand, weak or stiff muscles can be injured more easily, leading to muscle spasm in the back.

4. Exercise Associated Muscle Cramps

Recreational and competitive athletes commonly experience exercise associated muscle cramps. This type of muscle cramp occurs during, or shortly after, exercise in healthy individuals that have no underlying medical conditions.[1][3]

5 Ways to Treat Muscle Spasms Naturally

If you’ve been suffering with muscle spasms in your back, you can try these natural remedies to get relief.

1. Gently Massage and Stretch the Affected Area

self massage upper back Apply a gentle massage using a massage ball or foam roller, to the affected area until the spasm subsides. Once the muscle spasm has subsided, stretch the affected area.[2][3]Learn about Self massage techniques here

2. Ice/Heat Therapy

low back ice therapy Applying an ice pack to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes for the first 24 to 72 hours following a muscle spasm can help to relieve the pain and inflammation associated with an acute muscle spasm.

Xem thêm: How to Play Windows PC Games on Mac (2023): Steam, GOG on

After the first 72 hours, applying a moist heat pack to the affected area for up to 20 minutes can help to soothe the pain associated with muscle spasms and increases blood flow to the area, which promotes healing.[3]

Some people find that alternating the two therapies provides optimal results. Learn more about Ice versus Heat for back pain here.

3. Strengthen and Activate Weak Back Muscles

bird dog As mentioned above spasms may occur due to underlying weakness in some of the back muscles. You need to strengthen these muscles using corrective exercises. Some of the weak muscles include the Core/Abs and middle/lower Trapezius muscles.[1][3] Check out these low back and core exercises.

4. Use Back Support To Limit Stress on Your Back

Chair back support When resting in bed, you may find that the most comfortable position is on your back with pillows placed under your knees and a rolled towel or small pillow placed in the small of your back. Also, when sitting in a chair use a back support cushion to maintain a better posture. This helps to support the natural curvature of your back, and takes pressure off the lower back by providing additional support to the area.[3]

5. Take a Bath with Epsom Salts

Epsom Salt Epsom salt is naturally rich in magnesium, and taking a warm bath allows the magnesium to seep into your skin. Epsom salt baths help to relax muscles, detoxify the body, and even help to prevent magnesium deficiency.

More Ways To Prevent Future Back Spasms:

• Maintain a healthy weight – if you’re overweight, you increase the stress on your spine and joints.

Xem thêm: How to Play Multiplayer on Minecraft PC {Java & Bedrock Edition}

• Improve your posture – improper postures such as being hunched over all day can increase your risk of back spasms. Ensuring that you maintain proper posture, and using ergonomic aids when needed provide the stability and strength that your back needs and minimizes your risk of back spasms.[3]

• Exercise regularly – engaging in a stretching and strengthening program for your back and core muscles, and regularly participating in some form of cardiovascular activity, will help to keep your back healthy and minimize your risk of back spasms.

• Warm up and cool down before exercising – properly warming up and cooling down before and after exercise can help prevent your muscles from becoming fatigued, strained, or injured. Before working out, try jogging in place and doing sport-specific movements that help to get your heart rate up and blood flowing to your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. After your work out, take about 10 minutes to stretch the major muscle groups of your body to help prevent muscle spasms.

• Stay hydrated – dehydration can lead to muscle spasms. Ensure that you’re consuming enough water for your body size and activity level helps to minimize your risk of back spasms.

Conclusion:

If your muscles spasms are severe, if they happen often, don’t respond well to home treatment, of if they’re not related to an obvious cause, you should make an appointment with a healthcare practitioner as it could be a signal that there’s an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Related:10 Exercises To Improve Posture7 Upper back stretches

Sources:

Co Authors :

Related Posts

How to start an LLC in California | LegalZoom

How to start an LLC in California | LegalZoom

Duới đây là các thông tin và kiến thức về how to get llc in ca hay nhất được tổng hợp bởi thomo.today

Pitch Game Rules – Playing Card Decks

Pitch Game Rules – Playing Card Decks

Duới đây là các thông tin và kiến thức về pitch card game how to play hay nhất được tổng hợp bởi thomo.today

How to Get Snapchat Users to Appear in Quick Add Tab – iStaunch

How to Get Snapchat Users to Appear in Quick Add Tab – iStaunch

Duới đây là các thông tin và kiến thức về how to get someone on your quick add hay nhất được tổng hợp bởi thomo.today

PO-KE-NO (or Poker Keno) Rules – Newt’s Games and Playing Cards

PO-KE-NO (or Poker Keno) Rules – Newt’s Games and Playing Cards

Duới đây là các thông tin và kiến thức về how to play poker keno board game hay nhất được tổng hợp bởi thomo.today

How to get to the Elden Ring Consecrated Snowfield – GamesRadar

How to get to the Elden Ring Consecrated Snowfield – GamesRadar

Duới đây là các thông tin và kiến thức về how to get to inner consecrated snowfield hay nhất được tổng hợp bởi thomo.today

Royal Casino – Game Rules

Royal Casino – Game Rules

Duới đây là các thông tin và kiến thức về how to play casino royale card game hay nhất được tổng hợp bởi thomo.today