Back Muscle Spasms

Back muscle spasms resulting from inappropriate sitting posture or conditions like herniated disc, are usually treated with pain killers and muscle relaxants. To know more about middle back muscle spasms, read on...

It is a known fact that muscles contract and relax alternately during bodily movement. Contraction and relaxation of muscles is a normal phenomenon, essential for proper movement. A person is said to suffer from spasms when the muscle contract involuntarily and become stiff. The back area is the common site where these uncontrolled muscle contractions occur. This condition in which muscles contract abnormally and do not relax temporarily, can trigger moderate to severe pain. Back muscle spasms that causes tightening of muscles can be a cause of great discomfort, especially during activities like picking a pencil lying on the floor.

Back Muscle Spasms Causes

What are the factors that bring about this painful experience? Persistent back spasms that trigger forceful contraction of muscles is an indication of injured back. Some of the back spasm causes are discussed below:

Back Strain

Sitting in an inappropriate position for considerable amount of time can be strenuous to the back. For instance a person sitting on chairs that do not provide enough support to the back, will end up complaining about muscle spasms in back. Also, during day-to-day activities, the back muscles are subjected to repetitive stress. This will eventually give rise to muscle spasms in lower back.

Back Injury

A traumatic injury involving the back during an accident can also be the culprit behind back pain muscle spasms. High degree of muscle stiffness is something that is commonly associated with a traumatic back injury. It is necessary to limit movement, which is essential to heal the injured area. This job of restricting motion is effectively done by muscle spasms. This is because too much movement triggers the onset of muscle spasms. Thus, one can say that muscle spasms is the body's mechanism to prevent further damage to the injured tissue by restricting movement.

Reduced Oxygen Supply

Decreased blood flow to the back area also causes a reduction in oxygen supply, which may cause middle or lower back muscle spasms. Adequate oxygen supply is essential for proper functioning of muscles. As amount of oxygen reaching the muscles decrease, initially one may experience mild pain. With further cut in oxygen supply, the body may respond by stimulating the onset of repeated back muscle spasms. Blood clots, excess use of back muscles that is common among athletes or sleeping in an improper manner that restrict blood circulation to the back area, are some of the reasons behind oxygen deprivation to the back muscles.

Herniated Discs

Lower or upper back muscle spasms can also occur as a consequence of herniated disc. As we all know, the spine that supports the back area is a hollow bony structure through which a bundle of nerves (spinal cord) pass and are eventually connected to different parts of the body. The spinal cord (around 40 cm long) originating from the brain is protected by the spine. A small gap always exists between the spine and the spinal cord. It is referred as the spinal canal. It is observed that the spine is primarily consists of 26 bones that cover the spinal cord. A closer examination of the spine has revealed that in between 2 bones lies a circular, elastic mass of tissue referred as spinal disc, which helps to prevent the bones from rubbing against each other. Herniated discs occurs when inner part of the disc known as the nucleus bulges out and puts pressure on the nearby nerve. As nerves control muscle movement, the muscle that is connected to the compressed nerve is likely to contract abnormally, eventually causing spasm. Depending upon the muscle group controlled by the pinched nerve, the person may experience spasms in the lower or middle back area.

Back Muscle Spasms Treatment

How to get back muscle spasms relief? In case muscle spasm occur frequently and are severe, taking adequate rest for a couple of days is a must. Lifting heavy objects put a lot of strain on the back muscles and so have to be avoided. Massaging the affected area gently can also help to improve the pain. Other treatment options are given below:

Medications:

Back pain relief can also be obtained by pain relievers in the right dosage. Pain medications that include aspirin, naproxen and acetaminophen may be help to relieve excruciating back pain arising from muscle spasms. If these medicines do not provide back spasm relief, the doctor may recommend muscle relaxants like Skelaxin, Robaxin and Valium for effective pain management.

Ice Therapy

Ice therapy too can contribute to alleviate pain associated with back muscle spasms. Applying frozen peas, ice wrapped in a piece of cloth, on the affected area is considered to be an effective back spasm treatment.

Exercise

When the pain reduces and the patient does not experience much discomfort during back movement, the doctor may suggest few back stretching exercises to strengthen as well as improve the flexibility of muscles. For instance, exercises like lifting hands above the head or raising knees above the waist line while walking, stretches the back muscles. These exercises can contribute immensely back muscle spasms.

On the whole back muscle spasms is not a cause for concern and many a times goes away on its own without any treatment. In most cases, sufficient rest and intake of muscle relaxants works to get rid of back spasms.