It might take a few seconds or even several minutes for them to stop, but they do not often need treatment. Drinking plenty of water can help ease dehydration-related muscle cramps. If someone has a painful cramp, they can try a few methods to help ease the symptoms. The American Osteopathic Association recommend:. If the pain is in the calf muscle, the person can try putting their weight on the affected leg and bending their knee slightly.
Doing this will stretch the muscle. If cramping affects the quadriceps — the muscles at the front of the thigh — the person can try holding the foot of the affected leg behind them and gently pulling it up toward their buttocks, keeping the knees together.
In cases where an underlying neurological condition is causing the muscle spasms, doctors may recommend an antispasmodic medicine. Drinking plenty of water and stretching the muscles before any exercise or repetitive movements can help prevent muscle spasms. Some people experience muscle cramps in the legs during the night. Stretching the limbs before bed can help prevent this from occurring. Muscle spasms, twitches, and cramps are not usually a cause for concern.
They are perfectly normal, particularly in athletes and other people who exercise regularly. In some cases, however, they can indicate an underlying health condition, such as multiple sclerosis , thyroid disease , or cirrhosis of the liver. They may also suggest problems with:. Muscle spasms are very common, and people do not usually need to worry about them. Overexercising, dehydration, and stress are the most common causes.
The spasms happen when the muscle suddenly moves involuntarily. Muscle spasms may feel like a slight twitch or a painful cramp, and they can occur in the muscles in any part of the body. Muscle spasms can last just a few seconds or up to several minutes, but they tend to go away on their own without any treatment.
Gently stretching or massaging the affected area or using a heat or ice pack may help. Sometimes, muscle spasms can be a sign of an underlying health condition. In addition, pressure on the muscle can help ease the spasm. When the muscle is tight, place pressure on the area with your fingers or by massaging the area. After the initial back spasm relief, physical therapy can be used long term to stretch and strengthen muscles to prevent future occurrences.
Following general rules of thumb like drinking plenty of water, practicing proper lifting techniques and stretching before strenuous activity can all help minimize back spasms. We're hard at work and will be revealing our new ADA compliant website soon. Please Note: Information on this site or any recommended sites should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor.
Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information. Saratoga Spine Saratoga Springs. Menu Home About Dr. As the North American Spine Society explains, a muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscle group anywhere in the body. Muscle spasms can be contained to just within the muscle, or they can be powerful enough that they involve the skeletal system too.
For example, if a muscle in your back spasms, you can injure your spine too. No matter how large or how small they are, muscle spasms can be quite painful and even when they go away, may leave soreness or injury behind. Muscle spasms can even occur internally, such as with an overactive bladder, which can involve the muscles of the bladder spasming spontaneously and causing leakage.
There are many different things that can cause a muscle spasm. Most of these causes are not serious, although they may require some action on your part to prevent them from happening again and to correct any injury or pain that resulted. Some of the factors that may lead to a muscle spasm include:. Pseudoephedrine Sudafed , albuterol usually found in inhalers for people with asthma , and the stimulant Adderall can all cause muscle spasms.
Stress and fatigue. Overuse of a muscle. Anything from strenuous exercise, to holding a position for a long time, or even performing manual labor can over-exert your muscles and lead to a spasm.
Electrolyte imbalances. Along with the right amount of electrolytes, your muscles need adequate hydration to work properly. Improper body mechanics. Pregnancy and childbirth.
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