What are ‘Back Spasms’? A back spasm “is the involuntary contraction or tensing of the muscles in the lower back”. Back spasms can be a result of injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back or they can be related to more serious medical conditions-therefore, it important that you are taking care of your body. Lifting heavy objects are a common cause of back spasms as are sports injuries such as pulling a muscle from a race or from making a pass with improper form.
With acute back pain, the back seems to develop a mind of its own as the muscles jump on guard to protect a sore section of the spine. This is known as ‘protective muscle spasm’. It is not quite the same as ‘back spasms’.
When an area of the spine has been hurt, the nearby muscles adopt a protective, low grade clench as a temporary measure to splint the part and take it temporarily out of action. The aim of this is to give the damaged soft-tissue structures time to heal. Usually, this automatic mechanism works well; in a few days the stiffness and soreness passes and you are back to normal. But sometimes, the protective clench goes overboard with enthusiasm. This usually happens because you are too wary; too protective of your back; because you are frightened of it, or you’ve been told by well-meaning folk to be ultra-careful with it! This over-dwelling on it, or over-cautiousness, can allow the protective muscle hold to keep on keeping on, well beyond its usefulness date. Back spasms start striking as if the back muscles have developed a mind of their own.
The back spasms are the obvious outward sign of a back in crisis but there are less obvious ill-effects going on inside that are all to do with the excessive spinal compression. Apart from these frighteningly painful back twinges the spinal muscles themselves feel sore and achy, while at the same time, the heightened clench of the muscles increases spinal compression which creates more invisible mischief of the biosynthetic processes going on inside the discs themselves.
Spinal compression (or loading) causes the slow death of discs whose viability is borderline, even at the best of times. With years of not moving properly, sitting bolt upright (because you feel you’re doing the right thing), never bending if you can avoid it allows the muscle to stay clenched and steadily makes the back worse. On the other hand, moving freely, forging through and making your back do things, even when it feels stiff, is the best thing you can do for it.
Back muscle spasms can be triggered by wide range of issues, from muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries to more serious medical conditions.
- Overtired, overstretched, and overworked muscles
- Muscles held in the same position for a long period
- Excessive strain due to heavy lifting
- Activities that demand the back turn suddenly and repeatedly, for example like playing golf.
Sometimes back muscle spasms and cramps can signal there is an underlying anatomical problem in the spine. More serious spinal conditions can cause inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues which can trigger muscles to cramp or spasm. Examples of these more serious conditions causing spasms include:
- Facet Syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal Stenosis
- Herniated disc
The best treatment of muscle spasms is prevention. Proper hydration and nutrition play a big part in prevention. Maintaining a regular intake of water and incorporating more foods high in magnesium and calcium helps your body manage a good electrolyte balance to help stop cramps before they start.
Stretching before activities also benefits the muscles and may minimize spasms. While there is no one exact cause of muscle spasms, some researchers believe that “a regular program of stretching lengthens muscle fibers so they can contract and tighten more vigorously when you exercise.”
If you are already experiencing muscle spasms, immediate gentle stretching can help to break the spasm cycle. Using a cold compress for the first 72 hours will reduce swelling. Applying heat after 72 hours will help the muscles repair and release tension.
Continue with normal daily activity as much as possible. Bed rest can make your muscles stiff, causing more pain. Massaging the area or taking an Epsom salt bath can also help to relieve the tension from a muscle spasm.
Back Spasms can occur at any time because the muscles located in your back are more susceptible to injury. A very important habit be sure to practice while exercising is stretching all of your muscles before using them- this is to prevent pulling any muscles that would cause back spasms. Now, if this doesn’t really help, you can call your local spine specialist and ask about more information in regards to back spasms, how to prevent them, what to do to ease the pain, and what to do if the pain does not resolve itself. Usually low back pain caused by any strain or injury resolves itself in 3-6 weeks. So, if you have been experiencing this pain for more than 6 weeks, you should seek medical advice.
Along with what causes these spasms, it is important to know who is at greater risk of experiencing back spasms. People with:
- Back weakness
- Lordosis
- Tight hamstrings
- Weak spine muscles
- Weak stomach muscles
- Dehydration/electrolyte imbalance
Usually, spasms prey on the muscles in the lower back, rather than the upper regions of the torso. The origins of back spasms are diverse, but it is clear that they are often a response to an injury or inflammation of the spinal region. In many cases, the muscles of the back themselves are injured or inflamed, but the spine itself, including the thin cartilaginous discs between the spinal vertebrae and the ligaments which connect the vertebrae, may also be the source of the difficulty. Some back-spasm experts believe that spasms are a reaction by which the body attempts to immobilize the spine and thus prevent further injury.
Naturally, the injuries that produce back spasms might be caused by ‘overuse’ (chronic muscular exertion without adequate recovery) or by a single, traumatic incident. In the case of overuse, repeated rotational movements of the spine, such as the swinging motions required for baseball, cricket, tennis, squash, handball, racquetball, or golf, may eventually lead to an injury or inflammation of the vertebrae, spinal discs, ligaments of the spine, or spinal muscles themselves, particularly in individuals whose lower back muscles are functionally weak.
Anecdotally, it appears that back spasm may result from prolonged sitting or standing, especially if poor posture is utilized. If the spine is allowed to ‘sag’ forward near the hips during prolonged standing, increased strain is placed on the lower back muscles. Similarly, if one slouches while sitting, increased force is placed on the spine in a front-to-back direction, requiring the muscles of the low back to work extra hard to maintain spinal stability.
Scientific investigations have noted that back spasms are linked with prolonged and/or excessive flexion of the back. Research reveals that in vulnerable individuals just 20 minutes of significant anterior flexion of the back can produce spasms which are not resolved after as much as seven hours of complete rest of the back muscles.
The main symptoms of back spasms include severe pain emanating from the back in the absence of motion, significant discomfort in the back upon movement of the legs or arms, and/or pain associated with rotation of the spine. Such symptoms are usually accompanied by a sensation of a lack of mobility of the spine. The discomfort and feeling of immobility may last from a few seconds up to several minutes, go away, and then return again after a brief respite. Spasms which appear suddenly during activity may disappear when a resting position is assumed; anecdotally, lying down seems to be more relieving than sitting. Subsequent movement, however, may cause the spasms to return.
An occasional spasm in your back – without any other indication of back pain – may be a warning signal that you have a muscular imbalance or that you have a ‘below-the-radar-screen’ injury to your back. In either case, you should exercise great care with your back, attempting to avoid situations in which the back is placed under great strain, and you should also begin to carry out strengthening exercises for your back (see below). Naturally, if your back spasms occur relatively often, you should pay a visit to New York Spine Specialist. If the symptoms of back spasm are of sudden onset, which is often the case, he/she will want to know if a traumatic incident caused the initiation of symptoms. He/she should also ask questions about your training practices, including whether you embarked on a new mode of training prior to the development of back trouble.
The knowledgeable patient care staff and physicians at New York Spine Specialists will want to examine your injured area and perhaps even recommend interventional pain management treatment of your spine, legs, and/or arms to determine the external forces and body positions which produce symptoms. You might be required to perform certain movements and describe symptoms that occur during such motions. In addition, x-rays or other imaging techniques, such as CAT scans, bone scans, or magnetic-resonance-imaging procedures (MRIs), might be necessary to identify or rule out injury to the spinal vertebrae or the cartilaginous discs between vertebrae.
If you have been unfortunate enough to injure your back, one of the first things you should do is apply ice to the injury site. You should keep the ice on the site of injury for about 12 minutes at a time, with 20-minute recoveries between applications.
Back spasms can sometimes be linked with a chronically maintained body position – for example, if you spend large amounts of time with your back in a rigid, slightly flexed position.
Ordinarily, the duration of back spasms depends on the severity of the injury, the amount of inflammation at the site of injury, and of course the success of the rehabilitation program. Always bear in mind that you should be symptom-free before you return to full participation in your sport. This means that you should be able to perform all the skills and basic movements of your activity with no significant pain before you decide to return. Obviously, a too-early return to activity can lead to re-injury and an intensification of back spasms. Nonetheless, a successful return can sometimes be accomplished in a couple of days. However, in instances where inflammation is great, with possible involvement of lower back ligaments or intervertebral discs, weeks may pass before safe return to activity is advised.
In some cases, back spasms can be linked with a chronically maintained body position; for example, if you spend large amounts of time sitting with your back in a rigid, slightly flexed position, you are probably at increased risk for spasms. In such cases, the risk of spasm occurrence can probably be lowered by frequent changes in body position and periodic stretching of the back muscles.
It is important to note that these people are at a greater risk and should do all they can to prevent going through this pain. It is extremely important to let your doctor know the pain you experience and what caused you experience it.
We at New York Spine Specialist pride ourselves in providing our patients with the right plan for your condition. To book an appointment, please call 516-355-0111.
How a New York Spine Specialist Helps Relieve Muscle Spasms in Your Back
Are you suffering from a painful muscle spasm in your back and wondering if you should seek treatment? While you shouldn’t worry about occasional back spasms, frequent struggles should be a good hint to seek some help. A NY spine specialist could take a look and let you know how to relieve the pain and avoid possible complications.
Most Common Causes of Back Spasms That Are Severe
An occasional back spasm can occur for a variety of reasons, including tight muscles or poor posture while sitting. However, if you’re experiencing regular or severe spasms, it’s likely from one of the following causes.
Strain or Injury
According to one study by Louisiana State University, more than 80% of people will experience back pain at some point, largely due to the high rate of injury or strain in modern lifestyles.
The most common types of activities that cause back spasms include the following:
- Heavy lifting during exercise or for your job
- Sports injuries from repetitive movements, such as golf or baseball bat swings
- Poor sitting or sleeping positions
- Car accidents
- Falls
Chronic Conditions
Another leading cause of back spasms is an underlying condition. The most common complications that can cause frequent back spasms include:
- Epidural abscess (an infection in your spine)
- Gallstones
- Stiff Person Syndrome (one study estimates that two people per million have this autoimmune neurological disorder)
- Ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis in the spine)
- Kidney stones and infections
- A tumor in your spinal region
Other conditions, such as a herniated disc or scoliosis, create sensations that feel like back spasms but aren’t. If you believe you might have back spasms caused by an underlying condition, don’t wait to consult a healthcare professional to determine the real issue.
Lifestyle Factors
Several lifestyle factors may increase your chances of developing severe back spasms or directly cause the issue. Smoking and obesity are two major factors.
- Smoking reduces your body’s ability to heal itself.
- Being severely overweight can put considerable stress on your back.
An improper amount of physical activity or going about things unwisely can cause spasms. For example:
- Remaining sedentary can stiffen your muscles. It makes them tighten.
- Exercising too much can do the same, particularly without a proper warm-up and cool-down. You must give your body enough time to heal between sessions.
Dehydration, low potassium levels, and a calcium deficiency can also affect your muscles, causing spasms.
Mental Health Issues
You may already realize that stress and anxiety can make you unconsciously tense your muscles.
It’s easy to understand, then, that this could lead to long-term soreness and painful back spasms even after you’ve relaxed.
Diagnosing Back Spasms
How does New York Spine Specialist diagnose back spasms as a serious enough issue to require professional medical treatment? The diagnosis relies heavily on your doctor taking a medical history and understanding your pain.
If an underlying condition may be to blame, imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI clarifies things.
A Back Spasm’s Potential Complications
If you’re experiencing a muscle spasm in your back, it usually won’t develop into something more sinister. However, without treatment, you could risk the following problems:
- Reduced quality of life from lack of mobility and pain
- Mental health issues like depression
- Sleep problems from prolonged pain
- Issues with job performance
- Loss of social connections from an inability to attend events comfortably
Have you been treating your back spasms at home? Don’t wait long to see a healthcare provider if they aren’t going away.
How To Treat Back Spasms
If you’re wondering how to treat back spasms beyond at-home options, NY spine specialists can enhance your treatment techniques. For instance, effective treatments for back spasms include the following:
- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs manage pain and reduce inflammation.
- Heat and ice: A School of Nursing of Lanzhou University study showed that it helps to apply heat within 48 hours of an injury and then apply ice after 48 hours.
- Relaxants: For more severe cases, muscle relaxants can provide long-term relief.
- More rest: Reduce your physical therapy until you feel better, although light stretches like those in yoga can help.
For long-term spasms, physical therapy can help resolve the issue. It may also strengthen your back against further injury.
Protecting Your Back From Spasms
While your risk of back spasms increases with age, you can reduce flareups with the following practices:
- Regular exercise. Vary the type and intensity of workouts to give your body time to rest and heal.
- Balanced lifestyle: Practice healthy eating habits. Get plenty of sleep.
- Movement. Don’t remain sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time. Get up and stretch for at least five minutes in between.
- Sitting. When you sit, practice good posture. An ergonomic office chair may help.
Treat Your Back Spasms at New York Spine Specialist
If you’re experiencing a muscle spasm in your back, you don’t have to settle for living with the pain. Let New York Spine Specialist take a look!
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. To book an appointment, call 516.355.0111.
You deserve a pain-free life, and we can help you achieve it by determining the causes of back spasms and treating them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions about muscle spasms in the lower back, treatments, and more.
When Should I Seek Treatment for Back Spasms?
You should seek treatment for back spasms if your symptoms include any of the following:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Muscle weakness in your limbs
- Tingling on one side of your body
- Problems with balance or coordination
Is Lying Down Good for Back Spasms?
Yes, lying down is good for back spasms. It relieves the pressure and distributes the weight on your spine more evenly. However, you should still consult your physical therapist to determine if laying down will aggravate your specific back spasm.
Does Walking Help a Back Spasm?
Yes, walking may relieve a minor muscle spasm in your back that’s not caused by an underlying condition.