A muscle spasm, as defined by the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, is an involuntary prolonged contraction that is often painful. There are many back conditions that result in painful spasms. When these spasms occur in the lumbar, or lower back, region, they may be one of the causes of lower back pain. According to a study published in the Internet Journal of Anesthesiology, back muscle spasms are an integral component of lower back pain.
Muscle Strain
Muscle strain, or injury due to overuse or misuse of weak back muscles, is suggested to be related to back muscles spasm, according to a study published by the Internet Journal of Anesthesiology. MayoClinic.com notes that an injured muscle may go into spasm which, in this case, serves the purpose of warning the person to stop moving the affected area and prevent further damage to the muscle.
Prolapsed Disc
A prolapsed disc causes back muscle spasms known as secondary muscle spasms, notes the Internet Journal of Anesthesiology. This type of muscle spasm occurs due to injuries to the discs located between the vertebrae. This is a normal physiological protective response which signals the body not to move to avoid further deterioration of the disc. The back muscle spasm here is merely a symptom pointing at a more serious cause of underlying pain.
Other Causes
Severe repetitive contractions of the back muscles are observed in a variety of conditions, including tetanus, notes the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Tetanus kills around 500,000 people every year in developing countries. Muscle spasms in the back result in a characteristic arching known as opisthotonos. Such violent muscle spasms in the back may also occur as a side effect of neuroleptics, or anti-psychotic drugs.
References
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Symptoms of Musculoskeletal disorders
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Tetanus
- Internet Journal of Anesthesiology: Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain by Local Injection of Botulinum Toxin-A
- Mayo Clinic: Causes Of Back Pain: Strains, Sprains, And Spasms
