Back pain is a common and pervasive problem for many Americans. There are many causes for back pain, but one common component is a muscle spasm. A muscle spasm is an involuntary and persistent contraction of the muscle. When spinal structures or...
Muscle spasms or cramps are a painful condition that occurs when a muscle contracts involuntarily. They usually do not last long, but they can be severe. Muscle spasms can be caused by overexercise or staying in one position for too long, or may...
Muscle spasms in the back can be treated using conservative therapies, such as chiropractic, massage therapy and physical therapy. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, when a back muscle goes...
A back spasm is an abnormal contraction of the muscle that continues and does not relax. According to the Patient Education Institute, a library of interactive patient education used by hospitals and physicians, back spasms are the most common...
Muscle spasms in the neck occur for a variety of reasons, including whiplash from an automobile collision, poor posture, or overusing or straining the neck muscles. Spasmodic torticollis, a condition that causes the head to turn to the side when...
The piriformis muscle is a deep gluteal muscle that passes near or above the sciatic nerve. According to the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, piriformis spasm, also known as piriformis syndrome, can irritate the sciatic nerve,...
Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions or cramps of the muscles in the body. They are usually very painful and most commonly occur due to dehydration, or when a muscle becomes irritated, is used excessively or is injured, according to the...
Dealing with muscle spasms can make your life difficult and interfere with daily activities. Trying to find a way to decrease the occurrence of muscle spasms and twitches can be even more troublesome. Prescription medications can be costly and may...
Muscle spasms, also called muscle cramps, are painful, involuntary contractions that occur in your muscle tissue. If you exercise without properly preparing your body or maintaining adequate fluid intake, you significantly increase your chances...
Muscle spasms are brief contractions of a muscle that can trigger longer and more painful, muscle cramps. Muscle spasms can be a sign that you are not getting enough magnesium in your diet. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center,...
Because weightlifting often pushes your muscles to their limit, you may experience muscle spasms during or after your workout. Many muscle spasms are not serious and can be treated at home. However, if you're frequently experiencing painful muscle...
Botox for injection contains minute quantities of botulinum toxin A. It is used cosmetically to prevent wrinkles and is used medically to treat muscle spasms and movement disorders. It acts by preventing neural stimulation of muscles. It is only...
Muscle spasms can be a painful symptom that may occur as an isolated phenomenon or as part of another problem such as nerve disorders. If they are part of a syndrome, the best treatment may be aimed at treating the underlying condition. There are...
Muscle spasms, also known as muscle cramps, can occur in any muscle but occur most often in the back of the lower calf and thigh, according to MedlinePlus. In general, a muscle spasm will end on its own, but individuals in the midst of an episode...
The trapezius muscle is a large muscle located at the base of the neck, running down to the shoulder blades. A variety of conditions and actions can cause this muscle to spasm, some that require the attention of a doctor. Therefore, it is...
Muscle spasms are characterized by the involuntary contraction of your muscles. MedlinePlus states that, though muscle spasms may occur in any part of your body, muscles in your upper thigh, back, neck and lower leg may be most commonly affected....
Back spasms are common among athletes and other physically active people. Back spasms are caused by involuntary and sporadic contractions of the muscles in the back and can be exceptionally painful. These spasms typically affect the lower back,...
Muscles contract when being used and will relax or loosen when not in use. However, your muscle may sometimes stay tight or suddenly involuntarily contract. An involuntarily contracted muscle is often called a cramp or a spasm. Muscle cramps can...
Muscle relaxers are a category of medication, often prescribed for the treatment of pain caused by injury or a chronic condition such as fibromyalgia. Muscle relaxers do not heal the problem, however by acting with the central nervous system they...
Lockjaw -- also known as tetanus -- is an extremely serious disease that can result in a person's death if it is not treated. Fortunately, the condition is rare, since most people are immunized against tetanus as a child, according to the New York...
Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription medication indicated to help relax tense, painful muscles following injuries, such as muscle sprains or strains. This medication is administered orally up to four times daily or as prescribed by a medical...
Muscle spasms, unpleasant and involuntary muscle contractions, can leave your muscles feeling achy and sore. Several types of vitamin deficiencies can cause muscle spasms. Ask your doctor before treating muscle spasms with vitamins or other...
Back spasms are very common and can increase as you age. That sudden painful tightening is actually an involuntary contraction of the back muscles. Back spasms usually occur in the lower back area. While most people may only have an occasional...
The muscles in your body contract and relax as they receive signals from the nerves attached to the muscle fiber cells. Magnesium is one mineral that plays a part in how efficiently your muscles send and receive these neural signals. It is...
Knots in a muscle are the result of an injury that causes muscle spasms. If the spasm is not treated, it goes on to form knots in the muscle. As you move around during the day, muscles cycle on and off with different movements. An untreated spasm...
Muscle spasms are involuntary and forceful muscle contractions that typically come on suddenly and resolve quickly. They can happen because of a variety of causes but usually occur when the muscle is fatigued, improperly used or undernourished. If...
Muscle spasms, also called cramps, are involuntary contractions of a muscle that can be helped by botulinum toxin, a protein that blocks the muscle spasm message. Strangely, eating more protein or taking a protein supplement may increase cramps....
If you have trouble with muscle spasms, you know how they can interrupt your daily life and your sleeping habits. Waking in the night with cramps in your legs or back can limit the amount of quality sleep you get, setting you up for a day of...
The term spasm refers to involuntary contractions of a muscle that occur without any warning. During a muscle spasm, the affected muscles become tight and painful, and this tightness and pain can result in the inability to move your body freely....
Whiplash, or whiplash-associate disorders, refers to the injury and pain caused to the neck after sudden distortion, commonly thought of as the result of automobile accidents. Learn more about whiplash, including symptoms and treatments, in this...
Pinched nerves usually occur in the neck, but can lead to pain and muscle spasms throughout the upper back and arm. Learn how to treat a pinched nerve in the neck and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
