Back muscle spasm is a debilitating condition. The symptoms often become severe enough to disturb everyday activities. Here is what you need to know.

Over 80 percent of the population in the United States will have back pain at some point in their life (1).

A back spasm occurs when muscle contracts involuntarily and causes discomfort or pain. Consequently, the muscles in the lower back get tensed. Most often, the condition occurs without any obvious cause.

Symptoms may vary in intensity. It ranges from irregular (spasm-induced) moderate discomfort to persistent (spasm-induced) extreme pain. In fact, it may become intense, making walking very difficult.

Back spasms are often treated successfully with medications. However, there is no need for surgery. However, surgery may be essential if the pain arises due to nerve disorders.

Muscle spasms have a variety of causes.

Back muscle spasm often calls for a visit to the doctor. This is important to get an appropriate diagnosis. These are the first steps toward understanding what your back muscle spasm is trying to tell you.

Generally, the following are the most common causes of muscular back spasms:

1. Muscles are trying to protect themselves from muscular tension by contracting.

A back spasm may develop when the spine's soft tissues undergo a strain or injury. The soft tissues of the spine include muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

This kind of muscle spasm can be pretty painful. Usually, soft tissue damage heals entirely within a week or two. It thereby allows the muscular spasms to subside as well.

2. The back muscle spasm may have an underlying anatomical condition.

You may have an underlying anatomical issue in your spine, causing muscle spasms in the back.

A back muscle spasm that stays after 1-2 weeks is most likely due to an underlying spinal condition. Such pain is due to recurring back spasm that comes and goes in the same place over time.

Some underlying conditions that might be causing your back to spasm:

• Osteoarthritis of the facet joints
• Degenerative disc disease: a condition that affects the vertebral discs
• Spinal stenosis: narrowing of the spinal canal
• A herniated disc

These underlying structural issues in the spine cause muscle spasms to recur. Also, persistent inflammation or instability in the spine results in back muscle spasms.

It is critical to seek medical treatment in such cases. It would help if you addressed any underlying cause of your symptoms. This is because symptomatic treatment does not resolve the issue.

Some other causes of back muscle spasm.

Injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the back also result in Back spasms.

The most common cause of back spasms is excessive lifting. Excessive tension also results from lifting heavy weights and objects.

Some activities need the back to turn quickly and frequently. For example, sports such as football and golf require quick moves. This exacerbates back pain and spasms.

Abdominal muscles are responsible for supporting the back. In the case of weak abs, your back muscles are more susceptible to getting strained.

On the other hand, weak and tight muscles in the back are more vulnerable to injury. So back muscles need to be powerful and more flexible muscles.

Diagnosing Back Muslce Spasm

Your doctor may order an X-ray to check for symptoms of arthritis. An X-ray also detects a bone fracture in your lower back or lower limb.

An MRI or CT scan provides a more detailed look at the muscles and other soft tissues. That is why your health expert may request these tests to get an accurate diagnosis.

These scans also identify any potential disc abnormalities. MRI and CT scans also highlight any vascular disturbances in the lower back.

You can help your doctor reach a correct diagnosis by providing a detailed description of your symptoms. Be vigilant in discussing the following queries with your doctor:

• the degree of severity of your back discomfort
• how often the pain manifests itself
• what makes the pain go away
• when it first began
• any history of associated injury with the pain

You should notify your doctor if you have spasms after a sports injury. Other physical activities, such as moving furniture or gardening, may also instigate pain. You must report any such incident. This helps reach a conclusive diagnosis if a muscular injury caused the spasms.

A.  A Painful Back Muscle Spasm gets relieved with First Aid.

When you have a pulled-back muscle, the primary goal of therapy is to encourage the muscle to relax. This helps ease the discomfort. Some of the most successful treatments are as follows:

1. Taking a Short Rest for Back Muslce Spasm

A painful back muscle spasm makes it challenging to carry out regular chores. This includes a simple walk. Pushing your body through the discomfort may result in more damage. Such undue activities also lead to a longer recovery time.

Give yourself a break rather than attempting to push through the discomfort. For example, you may remain home and relax for the day instead of going for a jog.

Ensure to keep moving as much as your body allows. For example, taking short walks instead of running a mile. Prolonged inactivity causes your muscles to tighten and decondition. This increases the pain and discomfort.

Walking is generally considered to be a mild activity for the back. Walking helps improve blood flow, thereby speeding up the healing process.

On the other hand, uneven terrain or going down or uphill might worsen back spasms. This is true for people who are already suffering from an underlying condition.

If this happens, pay special attention to which activity worsens your symptoms. So avoid it if at all workable.

2. Applying a Cold Compress for Back Muscle Spasm

Another measure that helps reduce acute back pain is a cold compress. Apply ice covered in a protective covering or cloth. You may also use a cold pack followed by

As a general rule, cold treatment will assist in decreasing local inflammation. This, in turn, will aid in the relief of pain and discomfort.

You may buy a commercial ice pack or make a DIY. You may use frozen vegetable packs for a cold compress.

15 or 20 minutes of cold compress suffice to ease back pain. Follow it with a couple hours of rest to allow the skin to recover before continuing.

3. Sit at a Comfortable Angle

It is possible to relieve stress on your lower back while sleeping. Rest on your back in bed. Support your upper body at around 30 degrees and a cushion beneath your knees.

As an alternative, consider sitting in a reclining chair. These ergonomic furniture pieces enable you to sit at an angle. Your legs get the desired support with your knees slightly bent.

4. The use of Heat Treatment

Heat packs applied to the region enhance blood flow while relieving pain. You may use heating pads in place of heat packs.

Like cold compress, limit heat treatment applications to 15 or 20 minutes.

After each treatment, let your skin have at least a couple hours of rest. This helps your skin to recuperate before applying another. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully if you use a commercial heat pad.

5. Over-the-counter Analgesics for Back Muslce Spasm

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease inflammation and discomfort in the body. These OTCs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin.

Some patients find that acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an effective pain reliever. Acetaminophen relieves pain, but it is not effective in reducing inflammation. Also, before taking any medicine, read and follow the directions on the label carefully.

Some Common NSAIDs

A popular group of medicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), help with body pain. This includes treating back and neck discomfort. Around 20 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available in the U.S.

However, four of them dominate the market. These include;

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Celecoxib

All these drugs are available in a variety of strengths. In most cases, the prescribed types are 2 to 4 times more potent than the over-the-counter ones.

Health experts usually provide detailed instructions on drug dosage and administration schedules. Also, these are customized depending on a patient's needs. It is critical to follow these recommendations. It would be best if you stayed within the recommended dose.

6. Muscle Relaxer Drugs

It is possible to get prescription drugs that do not target the muscles directly. Drugs called muscle relaxers directly act on the brain. The goal is to ease away muscle stiffness and pain.

Muscle relaxants are only administered when:

• The pain is severe
• The pain originates from a muscle spasm (at least in part)
• Other therapies have failed to provide enough relief from the symptoms

However, you may use muscle relaxants for a limited period. This is because of their side effects. For example;

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Tiredness
• Impaired response time

You should never operate a vehicle or heavy machinery while taking muscle relaxants.

B.  Physical Therapy for Long-term Management of Back Muscle Spasm

Physical therapy is almost always recommended for back pain. This is only after the acute pain of your back muscle spasm has subsided.

Whether you need physical therapy depends on your doctor or physical therapist's recommendation.

Physical therapy comprises of regulated, gradual exercise program. Your therapist customizes it as per your specific requirements. It definitely helps in reducing pain or avoiding future flare-ups of back pain.

Some of the most practiced exercises are:

a) Muscle Strengthening of the Transversus Abdominis (Abdominal Exercise)

Doing stomach crunches or sit-ups may not do much to strengthen the abdominal muscles. "Six-pack abs" add to your physique, no doubt.

However, training the transversus abdominis (TVA) is crucial to establishing spinal stability. This is only achievable via abdominal exercises.

Effective conditioning of the TVA requires maintenance of an upright lumbar spine. In most cases, the back is in a neutral position. Thus it makes little sense to strengthen the back in flexed or extended positions.

• Lie down on your back. Keep your legs slightly bent. The distance between the knees and the feet should be shoulder-width apart.
• Draw your belly button inwards toward the spine. Try to keep a neutral spine.
• When you exhale, stretch toward the ceiling as if attempting to grip a trapeze bar over your head.
• When ready, lift your head and shoulders off the floor. Your shoulder blades should barely brush the floor.
• Hold for 1-2 seconds.
• When you return to your seat, inhale and repeat at the end of the following exhale.
• Continue until it becomes impossible to keep a neutral spine or until you get exhausted.
• Keep it for 1-2 seconds.
• Continue for ten reps.

b) Strengthening of the Gluteus Maximus Muscle (Buttock Exercise)

• Lie on your stomach with your hips and legs hanging over the edge of a table or bench.
• Tighten the buttocks on one side. Lift the leg up toward the ceiling. Keep the spine neutral throughout.
• You can do this exercise for a few repetitions at the beginning.
• Try to perform 4-10 repetitions per side.

c) Strengthening of the Gluteus Medius Muscle (Hip Abductor Exercise)

When standing on one leg, this muscle (the hip abductor) elevates the leg laterally at the hip. This muscle also supports the pelvis standing on the other leg (single-leg stance).

While walking, you take a single-leg stance. So it serves a functional purpose.

An underdeveloped gluteus medius will increase low back and hip pain when walking. This is because the opposite hip will drop throughout the gait cycle. Consequently, this will increase low back and hip pain while walking.

Here is how to condition the gluteus medius muscle;

• Lean against a wall while lying on your side.
• Draw the belly button inwards while keeping your spine in a neutral position.
• Raise the upper leg such that the toes point toward the ceiling. The heel stays in touch with the wall when raised from the floor.
• Perform the stretch slowly, with a two-second hold at the movement's peak.

Prevention of Back Muscle Spasm

The better you take care of your back, the lesser your chances of experiencing back spasms. Some other measures to protect yourself from back muscle spasms include;

• It is possible to reduce the tension on your spine and joints by losing a few pounds if you are overweight.
• Wearing low-heeled shoes help maintain a straight posture. This improves the stability and strength of your lower back.
• Regular physical activity, including back and abdominal strengthening exercises, helps you move and feel fabulous.
• Spending excessive time in bed or on a chair will contribute to back issues.

If you are not physically active, you should see your doctor before starting an exercise. They may recommend specific workouts that are less taxing on your back.

Summary

If you have back spasms, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Back pain is often manageable. There is no need to put up with spasms that restrict you from doing what you love to do every day.