Back Spasms
Introduction
Athletes and those who do a lot of heavy lifting may experience back spasms. Such activities can cause a muscle strain, which is a tear, and that can cause inflammation. Dietary deficiencies in calcium, potassium, and/or water might result in back spasms.
What causes back spasms?
Not using your muscles enough: If you sit too much, have poor posture, don’t exercise or rarely use your back or stomach muscles, those muscles can get weak and spasm.
Using your muscles too much: Athletes and those who do a lot of heavy lifting may experience back spasms. Such activities can cause a muscle strain, which is a tear, and that can cause inflammation.
Dietary issues: Back spasms can be caused by too little water, potassium and/or calcium in your diet.
Mental/emotional health issues: Anxiety and stress can tense up your muscles.
Trauma: You may injure your back in a fall or car accident.
Some serious conditions that can come with having back spasms:
Epidural abscess: infection of the central nervous system.
Gallstones: pain in the abdomen which can last for several hours.
Stiff person syndrome: causes muscle stiffness in trunk and abdomen.
Ankylosing spondylitis: inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine.
Kidney stones: hard mineral crystals that form in the urinary tract, causing significant pain as they travel through the urinary tract.
How do they occur? Insufficient daily water intake can elevate your risk of developing kidney stones. Individuals residing in warm, dry climates and those who perspire excessively may be more susceptible. Additionally, certain dietary habits can contribute to this risk. Consuming a diet high in protein, sodium (salt), and sugar may increase the likelihood of forming specific types of kidney stones.
Kidney infection: Kidney infection: A kidney infection occurs when bacteria, typically E. coli from the bowel, infect the kidneys. These bacteria enter through the urethral opening, traveling upward through the urinary tract, initially infecting the bladder and subsequently the kidneys.
Tumor: uncontrollable growth of cells causing a mass tissue buildup. Could potentially lead to cancer.
What are some symptoms of back spasms?
Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Muscle weakness in arms or legs.
Odd sensations, numbness or weakness on one side of your body.
Loss of balance and coordination.
Loss of a sense of feeling in a limb/limbs.
How can back spasms be treated?
Ice/heat: Apply ice or heat to the location of your back spasms. Wrap the ice pack or heating pad in a towel or pillowcase and apply it to your skin for 20 to 30 minutes. Then reapply after 20 to 30 minutes.
Over-the-counter pain medications: Over-the-counter pain medications, including acetaminophen (Tylenol®), naproxen (Aleve®) or ibuprofen(Advil®, Motrin®).
Muscle relaxants: Your provider may recommend taking a muscle relaxant like cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone or methocarbamol. If you do take them, take them at night (or when you're not operating a car or heavy machinery) and only for 72 hours or less.
Physical therapy: Your healthcare provider might prescribe physical therapy, where you can learn relaxation techniques and stretches for your back muscles.
Conclusion: It’s normal for those suffering from chronic back spasms to be scared and frustrated. Understanding why your back is spasming can help you discover how to stop back spasms. It is recommended to talk to your doctor and speak with you doctor or a specialist on the topic as soon as possible before it can get any worse
Source cited:
Sinicropi, Stefano. “3 Reasons Athletes Are Prone to Back Spasms: Stillwater Back Doctor.” Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D., 4 Aug. 2016, sinicropispine.com/3-reasons-athletes-prone-back-spasms/.
Connor, Liz. “Blighted by Lower Back Pain? Here’s the Treatments That Could Help.” BelfastTelegraph.Co.Uk, BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, 3 Sept. 2019, www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/blighted-by-lower-back-pain-heres-the-treatments-that-could-help/38459066.html.
Kasparek, Lizzie. “Sodium 101 for Athletes.” Sanford Health News, 2 Aug. 2019, news.sanfordhealth.org/healthy-living/sodium-101-for-athletes/.
4. Sinicropi, Stefano. “3 Reasons Athletes Are Prone to Back Spasms: Stillwater Back Doctor.” Dr.
Stefano Sinicropi, M.D., 4 Aug. 2016, sinicropispine.com/3-reasons-athletes-prone-back-spasms/.