MUSCLE SPASM

Muscle Spasm- General Information

This medical condition is a frequent problem and it consists in the involuntary contractions of a muscle and another category of this affection is known as muscle cramps. It appears frequently as sudden, unexpectedly and people feel like they have "tight" muscles in their back, neck, shoulder, or legs. A Muscle Spasm consists in an over shortening or an abrupt involuntary contraction of just a single muscle or of a certain group of muscles. It can also be characterized by an unaware rise of energy or emotion or if you suffer from huge stress. Muscle Spasm is always accompanied by a sensation of pain and it represent a big discomfort when you try to use the certain muscle. All the muscles in our body are predisposed to this condition. Even so the muscles at the neck or back and also the calf muscles are the most susceptible to this. After the unexpected stiffening of the muscle, it doesn’t extend in the moment that the body is aware of. The spasm of the muscles of the leg is also called Charley Horse. Most of the times muscle cramps occurs after intensely doing physical exercises if the muscles are not used to this kind of practice or if they are weary. In some cases Muscle Spasm are provoked by the side effects of some medicaments. An example of muscle cramps if often encountered in athletes or people that practice sports.

Muscle Spasm- Symptoms

When after sitting in a chair for example and bending over, muscles weren’t properly prepared for this kind of effort are overstretched and this can cause a dangerous injury. Because of this, all the fibers around the muscle suddenly tighten as a response therefore they create a splint that protects the muscles of the back from other irritations that may occur. As a result the normal flow of the blood is stopped and this produces a bigger amount of pain and irritation. Moreover contractions are tighter and more pain is added without the possibility that the muscle would relax itself. Another symptom of Muscle Spasm is the impossibility of movement because of the unexpected contraction. In the case the Muscle Spasm appears in the muscles of the neck the areas are very tense and also tightness can be felt. Sometimes the spasm could form a knot that provokes pain because is not a normal structure of the muscle. This happens after weeks if the injury caused by Muscle Spasm is not treated in its first stage. In all cases this disorder create a pain that is just local but very intense and it often lasts for a short amount of time, a matter of minutes and it disappears slowly. Sometimes the spasm could form a knot that provokes pain because is not a normal structure of the muscle.

Muscle Spasm- Treatment

Muscle Spasm and the pain involved lasts for a few minutes, and then it gradually fades. To resolve this problem you can use some of these techniques:

1. If the Muscle Spasm has occurred in the muscle of the back then you shouldn’t stand on your feet. While lying down the knees have to be brought near the chin and be hold like that for a couple of minutes or more until the pain is no longer there. Because of this the muscles are relaxed and the tension disappears.

2. Massaging with an ice cube exactly where in the area that sores with slow movements in circles will numb the pain for approximately five minutes. If the area is unreachable to you ask for help from your family or a friend. The effect of the ice is that tightens the blood vessels and so they become wider permitting the flowing in of the blood, releasing the contracted muscle fibers. Also be careful to rub the ice continuously that the tissues don’t be injured or somehow freeze.

3. Another effective way to release the Muscle Spasm pain is by taking pain relievers. The recommended ones without the need of a medical prescription are aspirin or some other different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory for example ibuprofen. Because it doesn’t represent an anti-inflammatory acetaminophen could be not as effective.

4. The circulation of the blood will restore normally if moving very slowly after icing the sore area. Also this will restore the fibers into their normal state of contraction and relaxation. Even so the muscle shouldn’t be too hard stretched too hard or too intense because that can aggravate your state and therefore make the pain much worse. For example if the pain is in your shoulder, after icing the area move it slowly up to the areas, then move them back and forward and also the arm has to be moved in diagonal over the chest. The muscle fibers are put back in their place.

5. In case the Muscle Spasm is still felt after a number of three days the sore area could be treated using heat. Once the swelling has vanished and the pain is no longer that strong hot packs should be used made from a wet and hot towel then is covered with plastic and all is warp in a towel- prepared earlier- that is dry. This treatment has to be done five times in a day and every session has to last only twenty minutes and no more than that.

6. After the swelling faded and the intense pain isn’t felt as bad a small tough knot can be formed and it could be still in spasm. By creating pressure in that area using your thumb the muscle relaxes and fluid that build-up is moved and also the muscle fibers are placed back in their place and are separated. If this technique doesn’t bring you the wanted result a specialized physician has to be consulted. He will use treatment that consists in using ultrasounds for example or electrical stimulation and also massage. When proceeded the massage therapy can be a little uncomfortable for the patient but its positive effect will be felt later in time. Also practicing different exercises will certainly help to the recovery because using the muscles constantly they are more prepared for effort.