They can happen in any part of the body, but they tend to affect the:. Muscle pain, fatigue, and overuse are the most common causes of muscle spasms. Other causes include stress or anxiety, which can lead to muscle twitches in the face.
Trapped nerves can result in spasms in the back. Athletes who either do not warm up before they exercise or exercise in very hot conditions may also experience muscle spasms. Drinking insufficient water before exercise can also cause muscle spasms. People who have certain health conditions, such as nerve disorders or thyroid-related problems, also tend to experience a higher-than-average frequency of muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are not usually anything to worry about, but in some cases, they can be a sign of an underlying neurological health condition.
Neurological health conditions affect the brain, which is responsible for making the muscles move. Not all muscle spasms are painful, but some can cause pain. It can feel as though the muscle is jumping or moving on its own, with this feeling typically lasting just a few seconds. Some people might even be able to see the muscle twitching. Sometimes, it can feel as though the whole muscle has cramped up and cannot move. This effect most commonly happens in the legs, and it can be quite painful.
The muscle may feel hard to the touch. While the cramping sensation tends to pass within several minutes or so, the muscle may continue to hurt for some time afterward. If a muscle spasm is part of a neurological health condition, the person will usually experience other symptoms. These might include:. Muscle spasms usually resolve on their own. It might take a few seconds or even several minutes for them to stop, but they do not often need treatment.
Drinking plenty of water can help ease dehydration-related muscle cramps. If someone has a painful cramp, they can try a few methods to help ease the symptoms.
In many cases, however, the cause isn't known. Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. When these or other underlying anatomical problems are present in the spine, muscle spasms are likely to keep recurring due to ongoing inflammation or instability. It is important to seek medical attention to treat the underlying cause of your symptoms, rather than just treating the symptoms. When your back goes into spasm, the initial treatment goal is to get the muscle to relax and thus relieve the pain.
Some effective treatments include:. A painful back muscle spasm can make it difficult to perform daily activities or even move. Pushing through the pain may lead to further injury and delay recovery.
Rather than trying to push through the pain, give it a rest. For example, stay home for the day and take it easy. Just remember to move as tolerated, such as by going for short walks. Prolonged inactivity can stiffen your muscles and lead to more pain.
In general, walking is gentle on your back and promotes blood flow, which in turn helps speed the healing process. However, in some cases uneven ground or walking down or uphill can exacerbate an underlying reason for the muscle spasms.
If that occurs, pay close attention to what aspect aggravates the symptoms and try to avoid it if possible. Applying ice wrapped in a protective sheath or towel, or a cold pack, to the painful part of your back is another way to help relieve an acute flare up of pain. As a general guideline, cold therapy will help reduce local inflammation, which in turn contributes to relieving pain.
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