Back muscle spasms can cause intense pain up or down the back. It may occur along with pain in the back of the arms and legs. Decreased mobility of the spine also can happen when spasms occur, MedlinePlus reports. The intense sensation of pain may last a few seconds or several minutes, and even after it subsides, the next spasm will bring back the same sort of pain. Resting positions help to decrease the sensations of the spasms. If spasms occur on a regular basis, it can mean a serious health problem exists.
Trauma
Any type of traumatic injury to the spine can cause back pain and spasms, MedlinePlus states. It often takes months for a person to recover from a back injury. The doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants with pain medication for comfort, as well as limiting any type of exercise and activity for a few weeks. After that, the doctor may recommend back-strengthening exercises to help the person regain the strength lost because of the trauma.
Overuse of Muscles
Swinging motions associated with sports activities such as tennis, squash, racquetball, golf, cricket or baseball can cause distress in the spine because of overuse of the muscles. The more rigorous the activity, the more likely it will cause back spasms, particularly if the person does not routinely engage in such activities. The person may experience severe pain, which comes and goes in waves in the lower back. The person may find relief in resting positions such as sitting or lying down.
Poor Posture
Poor posture can cause muscle spasms to occur because of the continued strain forward of the shoulder muscles attached to the back muscles, the Sports Injury Bulletin states. When a person continually slouches forward, the back becomes strained and muscle spasms occur. Proper posture will help relieve the muscle spasms. Deep breathing exercises also can help to relax the muscles in the back.
Sudden Body Changes
Sudden body changes such as an alteration of the direction of a running pattern or a quick twist of the spine may cause injury, resulting in muscle spasms in the back, Sports Injury Bulletin states. A fall on a hard surface such as a floor also may cause muscle spasms because the fall may shock the muscles.
Poor Strength of Core Muscles
Poor strength of core abdominal muscles also may contribute to back muscle spasms, the Sports Injury Bulletin states. This occurs because of the decreased ability of the core of the body to uphold the back when fatigued from exercise or lack of rest. Good core strength helps the back to align in proper position and therefore decreases the chances for backs spasms to occur.
