Muscle Spasms | Chiropractic Treatment | Trusted Bournemouth Chiropractors | Charminster Chiropractic Clinic
Chiropractic Treatment for Muscle spasms From Bournemouth Chiropractors at Charminster Chiropractic Clinic
What Is It?
A muscle spasm is a sudden tightening of a muscle that happens uncontrolled. It happens when a muscle contracts on its own and stays tight for a short time. Muscle spasms can be mild and barely noticeable, or they can be very painful and make it hard to move.
Almost any muscle in the body can go into spasm, but they are especially common in some muscles.
- Calves
- Feet
- Thighs
- Lower back
- Neck
- Shoulders
Muscle spasms are sometimes called muscle cramps. They can also occur due to nerves that control muscles becoming overly active or disrupted, causing the muscle fibers to pull tight together (contract continuously) instead of relaxing normally.
Most muscle spasms are harmless and go away on their own. However, repeated or severe spasms can sometimes be a sign of an underlying problem that needs medical attention.
Common Causes
There are many possible causes of muscle spasms. In most people, they are related to overuse, tired muscles, or dehydration.
Overuse and Muscle Fatigue
Using muscles too much during sports, exercise, heavy lifting, or repetitive activities can cause them to become tired and cramp. This is one of the most common causes of muscle spasms.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough fluids can affect the way nerves and muscles work. Losing large amounts of fluid through sweating, especially during exercise or hot weather, increases the chance of developing cramps.
Changes in Minerals (Electrolytes)
Muscles need the right balance of minerals to work properly. Low levels of salt and essential minerals can be a root cause of cramps, such as the one’s below, have been shown to increase the risk of muscle spasms if the levels are too low.
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Sodium
Poor Posture and Muscle Strain
Sitting for long periods, looking down at phones, carrying heavy backpacks, or lifting objects incorrectly can place extra stress on muscles. This may cause painful spasms and cause neck pain, shoulder pain, or lower back pain.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress can cause muscles to stay tense for long periods. This often affect certain parts od the upper part of the body (torso) and cause neck pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain, and upper back pain.
Medical Conditions
Some health problems can lead to muscle spasms, including a lot of different causes from various parts of the body.
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Nerve disorders
Certain Medications
Some medications may increase the risk of muscle cramps and, unfortunately, could be a chronic and reoccurring issue.
- Water pills (diuretics)
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins)
- Asthma medications
Common Symptoms
The main symptom of a muscle spasm is a sudden tightening of a muscle. However, muscle spasms can show up in different intensities, frequencies and duration. Some muscle spasms are spontaneous and you may not feel any painf and may dissapear after a few days.
Pain
Muscle spasms can be uncomfortable or very painful. The pain usually starts suddenly.
Tightness
The muscle may feel hard, stiff, or knotted.
Visible Twitching
Sometimes you can actually see the muscle moving or bulging under the skin.
Difficulty Moving
Moving the affected body part may become painful or difficult until the spasm goes away.
Soreness Afterwards
Even after the spasm stops, the muscle may remain sore or stiff for hours.
Repeated Episodes
Some people experience specific repeated muscle spasms at different parts of the day and with different causes.
- Leg cramps during the night
- Calf cramps after exercise
- Back spasms after lifting something heavy
- Neck spasms from sitting or studying for long periods
Other Symptoms
If another condition is causing the spasms, you may not only experience muscle spasm but other symptoms mentioned below.
- Weakness
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Fatigue
- Trouble walking
- Balance problems
When to Seek Urgent Help
Most muscle spasms are not dangerous, but some symptoms should never be ignored.
Seek urgent medical care if muscle spasms happen together with:
Severe Weakness
Sudden or worsening weakness could mean a nerve or spinal cord problem.
Numbness or Tingling
Loss of feeling or unusual sensations may suggest a nerve is affected.
Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control
This is a medical emergency, especially if it occurs along with severe back pain. Read here for more information and know what symptoms you may have along with back pain.
Paralysis
Inability to move part of the body requires immediate medical attention.
Fever or Signs of Infection
Muscle spasms along with fever, redness, or swelling may indicate an infection.
Severe or Persistent Pain
Pain that does not improve with rest or becomes worse should be checked by a healthcare professional.
Dark-Colored Urine After Heavy Exercise
Very severe muscle pain with dark urine may be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition caused by muscle breakdown. You will need medical attention as soon as possible and get treatment immediately!
Frequent Unexplained Spasms
Repeated cramps without a clear reason should be evaluated by a doctor.
Risk Factors
Certain factors make muscle spasms more likely.
Intense Exercise
Athletes and active people are more likely to develop muscle cramps because their muscles become tired.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water is one of the biggest risk factors.
Hot Weather
Excessive sweating can lead to fluid and mineral loss. Remember to stay hydrated!
Sitting Too Long
Long periods of sitting or poor posture may increase tension in muscles.
Stress
Emotional stress often causes muscles to tighten and become painful.
Chronic Health Problems
Conditions such as the following can increase the risk of repeated muscle spasms.
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid problems
- Liver disease
Older Age
Muscle cramps become more common with age because muscles naturally lose strength and flexibility.
Certain Medications
Some medications can affect the balance of fluids and minerals in the body and make cramps more likely. We recommend reading up on the medication you take and ask your doctor if your cramps could be related to the medication you are taking.
Examination and Diagnosis
Chiropractors and other healthcare professionals usually begin by asking questions about the muscle cramps.
- When the spasms started
- How often they occur
- Which muscles are affected
- Whether exercise triggers them
- Current medications
- Other symptoms
- Medical history
Physical Examination
Your chiropractor will check various structures and perform orthopaedic and neurological tests to get a proper diagnosis.
- Muscle strength
- Reflexes
- Sensation
- Joint movement
- Posture
- Walking pattern
Blood Tests
If your chiropractor or doctor are suspecting a systemic underlying cause or a deficiency as the reason for your muscle cramps, they will refer you for blood tests to check for the following.
- Blood sugar levels
- Kidney function
- Thyroid function
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Vitamin B12 levels
Imaging Tests
If a pinched nerve or spine problem is suspected, imaging tests and radiology such as the one’s below may be recommended.
- X-rays
- MRI scans
- CT scans
Nerve Tests
Special tests called electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies can help doctors determine whether the nerves or muscles are functioning normally.
Chiropractic Treatment
How can we help you with muscle spasms? Chiropractic treatment mainly focuses on muscle spasms caused by problems in the muscles, joints, or spine. Research suggests that exercise and manual therapy can help many people with muscle spasms caused by mechanical problems, although treatment depends on the underlying cause. Muscle spasms caused by nerve diseases or other medical conditions usually require treatment directed at the condition itself.
Examination
Our chiropractors may assess your functions, neurological system and perform orthopaedic tests to find a root cause of the muscle spasm. If there are signs of a more serious problem, referral to a medical doctor may be necessary.
- Posture
- Range of movement
- Muscle tightness
- Joint movement
- Strength
- Reflexes
Spinal Manipulation
Manual adjustments may help improve movement in the joints and reduce protective muscle tightness that can form muscle spasms. These chiropractic treatments are most commonly used for neck pain and lower back pain.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Treatment may include the various methods. These approaches are aimed at relaxing tight muscles and improving flexibility and can be found below.
- Massage
- Trigger-point therapy
- Myofascial release
- Stretching techniques
Exercise and Rehabilitation
Exercises are often recommended to release and prevent muscle spasms.
- Improve flexibility
- Strengthen weak muscles
- Improve posture
- Reduce the chance of future spasms
Lifestyle Advice
People may receive advice from our chiropractors about how to manage and prevent muscle spasms in the future.
- Sitting posture
- Backpack use
- Lifting techniques
- Sleep positions
- Exercise habits
Prognosis
The outlook for most people with muscle spasms is good.
- Last only a few seconds or minutes
- Improve with stretching and rest
- Do not cause permanent damage
In order to reduce future muscle spasms, there are many methods to use.
- Drinking enough water
- Warming up before exercise
- Stretching regularly
- Maintaining good posture
- Staying physically active
- Getting enough sleep
If an underlying condition is responsible, treatment of that condition is important. Some neurological diseases and chronic illnesses can cause repeated muscle spasms that may need long-term management.
Overall, muscle spasms are very common and are usually harmless. Although they can be painful and frustrating, most people recover and are able to continue their normal daily activities. Knowing when symptoms are unusual and require medical attention is important, since early diagnosis of serious conditions can improve treatment and long-term outcomes.
By following these tips and working with our Bournemouth chiropractors at Charminster Chiropractic Clinic, you can receive a full assessment to figure out underlying cause and receive chiropractic treatment for your muscle spasms to improve your chances of pain relief, more function and less frequent spasms. Book your chiropractic appointment here today!
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