Posts Tagged causes of muscle spasms

Causes of Muscle Spasms

Causes of Muscle Spasms

The causes of muscle spasms vary, but the results are the same.  Muscles spasms or muscle cramps is the stiffening shortening feeling you get with a sudden contraction of the muscles.  This can be cured easily and effectively with simple treatments you can do with little to no cost, and can help right away.

Your muscles are responsible for your body movements.  They contract and lengthen when your brain sends signals to the muscles when moving.  Moving suddenly or at a bad angle, lifting awkwardly or bulky, heavy items, or strenous activity like sports are big causes of muscle spasms.  A lot of times, muscle spasms are caused by simple muscle fatigue or non-use.  Sometimes, nerve damage can result in "contracture", which is a permanent shortening of the muscle. 

I’ll review some of the causes of muscle spasms, and treatments you can do easily and quickly to get rid of your back pain symptom and involuntary muscle spasms, such as muscle stretching exercises, low back pain exercises, back pain medications, and back pain relief products to help you on your way to recovery immediately.

involuntary muscle spasmsSome of the main causes of muscle spasms are:

1.  Dehydration is probably the biggest cause of muscle cramps, which can also cause a loss of sodium.  If you drink plenty of water, it will elasticize your muscles and reduce cramping.  Increasing salts can also help.

2.  A poor supply of oxygen to the muscles is also a big cause of muscle spasms or cramps.  This can be treated with deep and slow breathing, and a gentle massage or slow stretching can also be very effective.

3. An electrolyte depletion is a lack of potassium and calcium.  You can overcome this by taking calcium and potassium supplements.

4. Menstruation is one of the big causes of muscle cramps in varying degrees.  You can relieve this by using heat, stretching, and pain relievers or anti-inflammatories such as Motrin, Aleve, Ibuprophen, etc., as well as other back pain relief products.

5. Nocturnal Spasms are muscle cramps that you get at night, such as a "Charley Horse" in your calves or feet.  They can be very painful if you’re also dehydrated and/or you have low levels of things like calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, or sit too long.  Bananas are a great source of potassium.

6.  Muscle trauma is an excessive strain on the muscles, which can cause mild to severe muscle cramps.  It becomes inflamed, swollen, or red.  Slow muscle stretching exercises and low back pain exercises are very useful for relieving this right away. 

Whatever your causes of muscle spasms are, it’s important that you take preventive measures to alleviate them, including:  slow, deep breaths, drinking more water, taking supplements, applying heat, muscle stretching exercises or massage, taking anti-inflammatories / back pain medications, and recommended back pain relief products to help reduce or remove your back pain cause.  As always, I encourage you to see your physician for any chronic back pain symptoms.

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Lower Back Muscle Spasms: How to Relieve Back Muscle Spasms

Lower Back Muscle Spasms

lower back pain kidney

Millions of people suffer from lower back muscle spasms every year. Back muscle spasms can occur from poor posture, strenuous activity, or lifting heavy objects.  You can feel your lower back muscles stiffen or contract, and lower back muscle pain will follow.  This is when you normally find out you’ve strained your back.

This article discusses some of the causes, simple and natural remedies, and back pain relief products you can use right away to relieve your lower back muscle pain.

Causes of Muscle Spasms

back pain symptomThere are many symptoms for your back pain cause. They’re involuntary muscle spasms that can be caused by lack of conditioning, low levels of nutrients or supplements, fatigue, over-use or mis-use, or lack of stretching and flexibility in the muscles.  It can occur during pregnancy, or even as a side effect of certain medications.  You’ll notice that if your body is not at a correct angle when doing something, it can trigger a muscle spasm.  One of the easiest and best solutions to avoid or minimize them is by stretching; keeping your back muscles loose and flexible.  A back muscle massage is also a great help.  Other possible causes of lower back muscle spasms can include neurological, nerve damage, stroke, a trauma, spinal cord injury, and even multiple sclerosis.

Low Electrolytes – Potassium or Calcium deficiency.  The best way to ensure you have proper levels of all vitamins and minerals is by taking nutritional supplements specific to your needs.  Foods that are natural in these are also great supplements.  Bananas, for example, are a great source of potassium.

Dehydration is a big cause of muscle spasms.  Always drink plenty of water to keep your entire body hydrated and healthier.

Menstruation or Pregnancy and Back Pain.  If you are pregnant or menstruating, you’re very likely to have increased muscle spasms due to the hormonal imbalance in your body; and if pregnant, the fetus is absorbing a great deal of the nutrients your system needs.  During these times, it’s critical that you take additional supplements specific to your condition, and your diet also plays a big part. 

You can get temporary relief by using a heating pad, massage, stretching, and taking appropriate over the counter back pain medicine such as Motrin, Ibuprophen, Tylenol, etc.  Always consult with your doctor before taking anything while you are pregnant. 

There are also simple muscle stretching exercises and low back pain exercises you can do that will help alleviate the muscle spasms.  You can see these at the Back Strengthening Exercises page.

Although there are a lot of causes of lower back muscle spasms, there are also a lot of simple and natural relievers such as proper diet and supplements, drinking plenty of water to keep your muscles hydrated, muscle stretching exercises, massage, using a heating pad, and safe pain relievers.  Don’t distress!  If you’re proactive, you will see a difference.

By:  Julie Eley 4/15/09

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