Muscle Spasms
Lower Back
As described by the Atlanta orthopedist at Comprehensive Spine & Pain, a lower back muscle spasm is a sudden involuntary contraction, tightening, or shaking of a muscle. Muscle spasms can cause a great deal of pain. A spasm often occurs as a result of trauma, strain, overuse, weakness, or pain and not necessarily come from one particular event. You may have been doing many things improperly, like standing, sitting or lifting for a long time. Then suddenly, one simple movement, like reaching for something in the shower or bending from your waist, leads to the feeling of pain.
Lower back pain is the #2 reason people seek medical attention in the U.S. next to colds and flu. Chances are you will have at least one backache in your life. The lower back is the most common area people experience pain even though you can experience back pain anywhere in your back. The reason is simple; your lower back supports most of your body’s weight.
Cervical Muscle Spasm
The cervical spine is the section of the spine responsible for turning the head and neck, in addition to providing stability and support for the structures connecting the brain with the rest of the central nervous system in the spine. Irritation or injury of the structures of the spine may produce spasm and pain in the muscles of the cervical spine.
Considerations
Lower back pain or cervical back pain may be acute (short-term), lasting less than one month, or chronic (long-term, continuous, ongoing), lasting longer than three months. While getting acute back pain more than once is common, continuous long-term pain is not. Many back pains will heal themselves but there’s really no reason to suffer when you can get help from Atlanta orthopedist V. K. Puppala, M.D., a medical pain specialist. He is located in Villa Rica, GA and patients from all over the Metro Atlanta area seek his advice.
Treatments for Muscle Spasms
Rest is the first suggested treatment for muscle spasms. It used to be thought that a patient should undergo weeks of bed rest but that has been found to not be helpful. In fact, it can make the condition worse. Dr. Puppala suggests resting for the first 48 hours after you first experience the muscle spasm, and then slowly increase your activity. Getting up and moving as soon as spasms and sharp pains subside can help ease pain and stiffness. Other conservative treatments include applying ice, physical therapy and non-steroidal medications that can help reduce the inflammation. Return to activity should be gradual to prevent a return of symptoms.
If the symptoms persist, you should see a pain specialist such as Atlanta orthopedist V. K. Puppala, M.D. He will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the possible cause of your symptoms, the structures involved, the severity of the condition, and the best course of treatment. Call 770-627-7246 or 770-MAP-PAIN to schedule an appointment with Dr. Puppala today!
