Home Treatment for Back Spasms

Muscle spasms are generally caused by inflammation as a result of an injury or strain. Lifting, twisting and exercising can all cause what is generally known as a ‘pulled’ muscle. This, in turn, can lead to inflammation, which then can lead to painful muscle spasms. Most episodes of acute lower back pain are caused by damage to the muscles and/or ligaments in the low back.

A good way to treat muscle spasms would be taking anti-inflammatory medications along with painkillers and rest for a couple of days. You can also apply heat/cold pads, whichever gives you the most relief.

The Most Common Causes of Back Spasms

Causes of Back Spasms Back spasms are a specific form of back pain that ought to be differentiated from a general backache. However, it’s important to note that back spasms can cause both upper and lower back pain. Basically, a back spasm is the sudden and spontaneous spasm of the back muscles near the spine and back nerves. As this brief and perhaps oversimplified description makes clear, it’s not fun. A back spasm can lay you out cold, no matter who you are or how tough you think you might be. The causes of back spasms, like the causes of low back pain and any other form of chronic back pain, can vary from consumer to consumer.

Back spasms can sideline even the heartiest athlete, and they’ve been known to send some individuals straight to the doctor’s office, or even the ER (Emergency Room) if a back pain episode hits at night. Many of us have had a backache, but the kind of lower back pain caused by back spasms can make you think that a more chronic back pain issue, like a herniated disc, has kicked in. But, in general, while these conditions can cause back spasms, as well as low back pain, or even sciatica, according to experts most cases of back spasms are due to abused muscles or not working out your muscles enough. So, while for some going out to the ER or the doctor’s office seems like the best bet, others are looking for home treatment for back spasms.

Home Treatment for Back Spasms

So what can you do to get relief back pain at home? Actually, there are lots of options when it comes to home treatment for back spasms, as well as issues like back pain lower, and sciatica pain. According to experts, the first thing you should do when engaging in a home treatment for back spasms is to ice the affected area as soon as the spasm occurs, but then switch to heat, especially if the cold packs are not reducing your back or lower back pains. However, resting for a few days is also part of the back pain treatment plan for some individuals, especially in very severe cases, but that doesn’t mean getting up at all. In fact, experts suggest walking for a few minutes at a time, a few times a day to prevent the other muscles in the back from becoming stiff, thereby setting the stage for more back issues.

Some individuals report that the best position for them to get back relief is lying on the floor with their knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and with their feet propped up in a chair. Over the counter medications are often prescribed for the pain and to reduce inflammation.

If an episode of back pain or spasms lasts for more than two weeks, the muscles may start to weaken. Since using the muscle hurts, people tend to avoid using them. This process leads to muscular atrophy and subsequent weakening, which in turn causes more back pain & spasms because the muscles are less able to help hold up the spine.

As a general rule, people who are active and well-conditioned are much less likely to suffer from back spasms due to muscle strain, as regular exercises stretch the muscles so they are less likely to strain, tear or spasm. A complete exercise program for the low back should consist of a combination of stretching, strengthening taught by a qualified fitness instructor or physiotherapist.

Part of the problem when you have pain/spasms is that it will automatically make you ‘tense’ which will, therefore, make the pain/spasm worse. So the way to get relief is to try to relax the ‘injured’ or ‘strained’ muscle. Applying heat will help to make you relax. Also once the painkillers start to work, that will help you to relax. The anti-inflammatories and resting should finish off the job and enable you to become pain-free within a couple of days.

When looking for information on home treatment of back spasms, the Internet can be a great resource. You can find step by step instructions posted by laymen and experts, as well as consumer sites that review and rate the newest back pain treatments