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A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of a
muscle, and is frequently painful. There are many
different types of muscle spasms. Spasms can often be
addressed through chiropractic care, improvement of diet
or physical therapy.
Some causes of muscle spasm include straining of a
muscle, dehydration, trauma, and damage to nerves or to
the spinal cord.A pinched nerve is caused when a nerve
is somehow damaged or injured by direct pressure or
compression and is unable to properly conduct its
signal. There are many potential causes for a pinched
nerve, depending on the location of the nerve. A pinched
nerve in the neck or lower back can be caused by a
herniated disc, arthritis, bone spurs, or spinal
stenosis. A pinched nerve in the lower back or buttock
can compress the sciatic nerve, which can cause
sciatica. A pinched nerve in the wrist can be caused by
carpal tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndrome is a
similar condition caused by compression of the ulnar
nerve in the elbow. Both of these conditions are more
common in people with diabetes and people who perform
repetitive activities such as a typist, using a computer
keyboard for long periods of time, or assembly line
workers. Swelling around a nerve can be caused by an
injury, bruise, or other conditions, including the
swelling of the extremities that can occur with
pregnancy.
The contraction that occurs during a muscle spasm is
involuntary; the brain sends signals to the muscle to
contract, which are not willed by the body. When we
exercise, we use voluntary contractions of muscles to
perform work. In a muscle spasm, the brain sends a mixed
signal to the muscle to contract that is not willed by
the person.
A contraction can last for a few seconds, to several
minutes or hours. The familiar charley horse, for
example, may contract a muscle in the legs. The muscle
does not simply relax by a person wishing it would. Deep
breathing and relaxation exercises may help the muscle
gradually relax. Often people actually contract other
muscles in response to the pain of a charley horse,
which can make the duration of the muscle spasm longer.
If one frequently gets cramping of this sort, this
may be the result of poor nutrition, or too much
exercise. Frequently at the end of a marathon, runners
may be seized with a painful muscle spasms because their
body is depleted of essential electrolytes. Excessive
nausea and vomiting can also cause a muscle spasm.
The first consideration in treating frequent muscle
spasms of the legs and feet is to address hydration
concerns. People who do not maintain proper hydration
are more likely to experience cramping. As well, some
studies show that magnesium and calcium depletion may
result in a muscle spasm. If cramps occur frequently,
one might consider supplementing one's diet with more
calcium and magnesium loaded foods, or with mineral
supplements.
Another type of muscle spasm that may occur is
cramping of the stomach. This may be associated with
either a stomach flu illness, or with conditions like
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This cramping is also
quite painful, but gradual control of IBS can reduce
frequent muscle spasm. Infants with colic often
experience muscle spasm in the abdomen as well, hence
the excessive crying. This is often a brain's immature
response to digestion, which is why many children with
colic improve as they age.
Injured muscles may also improperly receive "work"
signals from the brain, causing muscle spasm. Often as a
muscle heals, such spasms become infrequent. Sometimes
an injury can cause almost constant spasmodic action of
the muscles, which may require muscle relaxants, as well
as time, in order to heal such action.
Joint manipulation is the most common treatment that
chiropractors use. Most often they manipulate your
spine, but they can also be trained to manipulate joints
in other areas. Manipulation allows you spine and joints
to restore normal motion which in turn leads to reduced
pain and a decrease in muscle spasms.
Soft tissue manipulation is another common technique
used when treating muscle spasms. Treatment can include
therapeutic stretching and massage therapy. These types
of treatments help to reduce fluid, reduce scar tissue
and provide relief for muscle spasms.
The chiropractor may also use associated therapies
for the treatment of muscle spasms. This can include hot
and cold treatments, electrical stimulation of the
affected muscle or ultrasound. These therapies help
greatly to increase circulation to the muscles and also
prevent swelling of the muscle and prevent scarring.
Associated therapies very often reduce pain and are a
means for prevention of further injury and injury
recurrences. Of course the ultimate goal is to reduce
the muscle spasm. Very often chiropractors will also
recommend some strength training exercises and
stretching moves for you to do in between visits.
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