Muscle Spasm

What is Muscle Spasm?

Muscle Spasm (also known as muscle cramps) occur when a muscle involuntary contracts and cannot relax. It’s common for a spasm to involve part or all of a muscle, sometimes even several in a group. Muscle spasms are common and can affect any muscle in your body. Although, the most common areas for a muscle to contract is calves, thighs, foot arches, abdomen and even at times the ribcage.

Just about everyone gets muscle spasms, which unfortunately come without warning. What causes them and what can we do to relieve these annoying cramps?

What Causes a Spasm?

There are many different reasons a spasm could occur. Some of these may include the following:

• Poor blood circulation in your legs
• Working calf muscles too hard while exercising
• Not stretching enough
• Being active in hot temperatures
• Muscle fatigue
• Dehydration
• Magnesium and/or potassium deficiency
• A problem such as a spinal cord injury or pinched nerve in your neck or back
• Kidney disease

On occasion, you may also get muscle cramps due to a drug’s side effect.

Muscle Spasm Symptoms

Depending on the muscle involved in your cramp will also determine your symptoms.

Skeletal muscle spasm usually involves muscles that are being asked to do excessive work. As it contracts there will be an acute onset of muscle pain. If the muscles are bulging or tight, it’s possible for it to be felt underneath the skin where the muscle is located. Typically, a muscle spasm will resolve within a few seconds, although it could last up to a few minutes.

Another muscle spasm is a muscle fasciculation or twitch may last just a few seconds or maybe a recurrent event. This typically only lasts a few seconds and consists of a few muscle fibers of a larger muscle in a localized area served by one nerve fiber.

Treatments of a Muscle Spasm

Since there are many different possible spasms and a ton of places they can occur there are many different possible treatments.

Although, if your spasms begin after an injury or an activity, a good treatment plan is to start with ice and heat. Ice will help reduce the inflammation and heat may help improve blood flow.

Medications might also be recommended such as anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants. These will help relieve symptoms during the healing process.

Another possible treatment is an injection of an anti-inflammatory such as cortisone. Ask your doctor what he/she recommends.

At Boca Raton Spine Center we take pride in our exceptional spine care and have a team of medical professionals who treat muscular issues. If your muscle spasms are getting out of control call us today for an in-depth consultation. Call us today at 561-990-5499