A muscle spasm is an uncontrolled muscle contraction that makes your muscle feel tight and stiff. Muscle spasms can be extremely painful. While most people associate muscle spasms with injuries like car accidents, hard falls or heavy lifting, muscle spasms can also occur during exercise. Fortunately, however, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing an exercise-related muscle spasm.
Spasms and Exercise
A muscle spasm is more likely to occur during exercise if you suddenly perform strenuous exercises when your body is in poor shape. If you fail to exercise regularly, your muscles will become tight and weaken. Weak, tight muscles are more likely to spasm during strenuous activities. All of the muscles in your body have the potential to spasm. Leg spasms can occur during exercise activities like running, jogging or swimming. Arm and abdominal spasms can occur during exercise activities like aerobics, weight lifting or push-ups. Also, according to MedlinePlus, muscle spasms are more likely to occur during exercise if your body is dehydrated.
Treatments
If you experience a muscle spasm while exercising, stop exercising immediately. Continuing to exercise once a muscle spasm has started will irritate the muscle and increase your pain. While it may be tender to the touch at first, lightly massaging the inured muscle may help it to relax. Placing a heating pad or an ice pack on the injured muscle can help to ease the uncomfortable tension. Taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or a prescription muscle relaxer may help reduce the pain.
Prevention
The best way to help prevent an exercise-related muscle spasm is to keep your muscles in good condition. Stretching your muscles every day and performing strength training exercises on a regular basis will help keep your muscles strong and flexible. Avoid suddenly performing strenuous exercises after long periods of inactivity. Drinking plenty of water every day will help keep your body well-hydrated. Drinking water right before you exercise can help prevent you from becoming dehydrated during your workout. Drinking sports drinks that contain minerals like potassium can also help reduce your risk of experiencing muscle spasms.
Warning
Most exercise-related muscle spasms will subside naturally with treatment and rest. However, if the pain associated with your muscle spasm is extremely severe or if you are also experiencing muscle weakness, you may have a more serious underlying problem such as a pinched nerve or a torn muscle. If you are suffering from a muscle spasm, avoid remaining inactive for an excessive period of time. While rest may help at first, staying sedentary for too long can cause your muscles to further weaken and atrophy.
