Back Spasms – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Back Spasms develop when the muscles contract involuntarily in the lower back. It is quite common for many people to have back spasms at some point. The lower muscles get tensed while contracting causing pain. The condition of pain may range from mild discomfort to intense pain. Back spasms involve contraction of different set of muscles in the body resulting in different symptoms. Wear and tear of muscles and swelling of muscles can cause back spasm. Most of the spasms can be managed with anti-inflammatory drugs and in some cases steroid medications are prescribed to control pain.

Points to Consider :

• Back spasm may present different symptoms according to the muscles that are affected during contraction.
• If the body gets dehydrated skeletal muscles are affected due to spasm causing intense pain.
• Most of the spasms can be easily treated by simply stretching the muscles but in some cases of underlying causes medical intervention is needed.
• Sometimes smooth muscles gets involved in the spasm like that of Menstrual Cramps or Diarrhea causing significant pain. Here the muscles of wall region would contract due to spasm and the pain comes and goes at intervals.
• In rare cases of dystonia, certain chemicals that are involved in the transmission of signals to/from the brain are affected. In such cases medications are given to balance the neurotransmitter levels.

Back Spasms Causes :

Any injury in the ligaments, tendons and the muscles can cause back spasm. Lifting of heavy objects in improper position can cause back spasms. Sports personalities are more likely to develop back spasm than others since they make frequent and sudden turn during the events. Any work that gives extra strain to the muscles of lower back region can cause injury to the muscles and tendons. People having problem with the abdominal muscles are more likely to get back spasms due to lack of support.

Arthritis problem or rupture of disk in the spine can cause back spasm. Due to swelling of muscles it exerts pressure on the spine thereby causing back spasm. Nerve endings are often put to pressure due to ruptured disk of the spine leading to back spasm. Overuse of muscles and excess of stretching of muscles and keeping the muscles in the same position for long duration can also cause spasm. Peripheral artery disease can reduce the normal blood flow to the legs causing spasms in the legs.

Risk Factors :

A person having weak stomach muscles, arthritis, disk rupture, spondylolysis, lordosis and Spinal Stenosis is at increased risk of developing spasm. Bending forward the pelvic region excessively can pose risk. Having inflexible muscles in the vertebral column can also increase the risk of getting back spasm.

Symptoms Of Back Spasms :

As said already, the symptoms of muscle spasm differ with respect to the type of muscles involved in the contraction. The intensity of pain may range from mild to sharp pain depending on the muscle. Spasm that is caused by contraction of skeletal muscles produces acute pain and one can see bulging of tight muscle below the skin. The pain would be there for few seconds to a minute and get resolves automatically as the muscle gets stretched.

Back spasm can show signs of mild discomfort to intense pain. The extent of pain varies with that of the underlying cause. It can cause acute sudden pain on the lower back and the pain may radiate upwards. Pain can also be felt on the pelvic region, abdomen and on the thighs. Spasms of the smooth muscle can produce colicky pain. Some of these kinds are menstrual cramps and pain produced when the kidney stone passes through the urethra.

Tests :

Back spasm is self explanatory and the person having spasm can feel the pain and discomfort. The muscles become tight and rigid on the particular area causing pain and it resolves only after the muscle is stretched to normal position. The doctor would first collect the complete medical history of the patient to know the underlying issues of the spasm. For individuals with intense pain in the leg caused by leg spasm the physician would check the palpitation in the feet. For those with recurrent back spasms, blood test would be done to check the levels of electrolytes and anemia.

Treatment :

Mild forms of back spasm need no treatment. Simple stretching of muscles on the back would resolve the problem. If the spasm is due to over-stretching of muscle or after an injury you can apply ice cubes on the back to reduce inflammation. Alternatively you can apply heat pack on your lower back which helps in regular blood flow and gives relief from pain. Take complete rest if your spasm develops after an injury since doing more activity would increase the pain further.

In case the pain does not subside you can take muscle relaxant drugs to facilitate easy healing. Your doctor may give a shot of cortisone injection on your lower back to get quick relief from the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs would be prescribed to control swelling of muscles. Physiotherapy is very effective for healing of muscles and strengthening. Chiropractic care is also beneficial for back spasms. For spasms that develop due to skeletal muscle contraction your doctor will check for electrolyte levels and possibility of Dehydration. He would address the symptoms like vomiting and loose stool to manage the spasm.

Fluid loss should be prevented for recurring of spasm. For those having diarrhea enough water should be taken to prevent dehydration which can cause spasm. For spasms caused by other causes your doctor would have to address the underlying issues. Muscles should not be given over Stress and pressure suddenly. It is wise to prepare the muscles first before doing heavy jobs like shoveling snow or mowing.

Over the counter painkillers like Advil or Motrin gives relief from symptoms of pain. Muscle relaxants like Valium or baclofen are prescribed for spasms that develop due to imbalance of chemicals in the brain. If spasm is due to sudden increase of dopamine level then your doctor may recommend Levodopa or reserpine. Botox injection is also effective to control dystonia.

Tips for Prevention :

Take care of your spine and do not overdo exercises. The risk of getting a spasm would be reduced if you are careful in moving directions while performing stressful work. Do all possible efforts to reduce your weight since it would considerably help in relieving the extra-pressure on your spine. Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes since this might cause stress on your lower back. Do regular physical exercise and increase your activity level gradually.

Remedies to Treat and Prevent Back Spasms

Remedies to Treat and Prevent Back Spasms

More than 3.1 million people in America suffer from some form of back pain. It is the leading cause of absence from work. Back spasms affect the lower portion of the back through muscle contractions. Whether you have injured your back or just irritated the nerves, muscles or ligaments, you will probably find yourself experiencing a muscle spasm as well as acute pain.

You may feel a knot in your lower back as the muscles tense up. Contractions of the back could happen immediately following an injury or they may show up days later.

What Causes Back Spasms?
There are a number of things that can cause back spasms including injuries that affect the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the back. In some cases they are the result of a more serious medical issue. Lifting something that is very heavy is frequently behind spasms of the back.

There are a number of sports, such as golf and football that can result in lower back spasms because of the repetitive and sudden turns required of the back. If you already have a weak back and abdominal muscles, you are more apt to injure this area further.

Medical issues, such as a ruptured disk or Arthritis, can be the cause of back spasms. Pressure on the nerve in the back can be from a bulging or ruptured disk. The effects of arthritis generate pressure in the spinal cord area leaving the legs and back in severe pain.

What Are Back Spasms Treatments?


1. Rest
While it is important to rest the back, particularly if it is from an injury to the back muscle, complete inactivity is not good either. Getting the right amount of rest will help your body heal, but doing too little will create stiffness and tightening of the back. It is suggested you walk slowly and gently for a few minutes at a time as many times a day as you can stand it.

2. Elevation
Maintaining an elevated position can help ease back spasms. You can:

• Rest your legs on a pillow


• ŸKeep your feet resting on a foot still while you are in a seated position


• ŸPosition your knees above your hips


• ŸLie on your side with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle

3. Relaxation
When you are in pain, it is hard to be relaxed. On the other hand, remaining in a tense frame of mind would just aggravate the situation further. Try to get your mind off of your back and incorporate one of the following relaxation techniques:

• ŸReading


• ŸHaving a conversation with a friend or someone you care about


• ŸMeditating


• Catching up on a TV show you have been wanting to watch

4. Pain Medications
Many people reach for an aspirin or ibuprofen when they have general aches and pains. When it comes to back spasms, you can start with either of those two or you can ask your doctor about NSAids – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Your doctor can prescribe a higher dosage of these medications to help relieve the pain of lower back spasms a little faster and more effectively than regular over-the-counter medications. Muscle relaxants might help, but many people feel the drowsiness isn’t worth it.

5. Exercises
If you have lower back pain, you might want to try walking around with your back straight as you lift your knees up high. You can also raise your arms over your head to stretch your back muscles gently.

You might want to try lying on the floor and bend your knees keeping your feet flat. Take turns pulling each knee to your chest. Hold the knee for the count of 10, then release and return the leg to the floor. Work up to 5 to 10 repetitions twice or 3 times a day for each leg. Stop if your symptoms get worse.

6. Ice or Heat
Cold application will help to minimize swelling and provide relief from pain when the spasm first occurs. You can either wrap ice in a towel or use pack of frozen peas for about 12-15 minutes every 2 hours for the first day or two.

Muscle spasms are reduced with the application of heat as it dilates the blood vessels and brings an increased supply of oxygen to the area. You can apply heat with a heating pad as well as disposable heat wraps that you can get at the drug store. Usually heat should be applied after cold application.

7. Pressure
You can try using pressure as a form of back spasm treatment by lying down and putting your fingertips over the spasm. Press firmly to see if the spasm stops. Keep pressing down until you get some relief. Make sure you stand up and move slowly after applying pressure.

How to Prevent Lower Back Spasms
So you have incorporated all of the ideas here and you have successfully resolved your back spasms. What can you do to prevent another episode? Here are a few simple suggestions you may want to implement right away.

• Stretch regularly: Not only should you stretch before beginning any physical workout program, stretching in general is good for the fibers in the muscles. Try to find a yoga class or Pilates DVD you can add to your daily routine.


• Get yourself into shape: You don’t have to train for the Olympics, but you can incorporate a regular exercise routine into your life. Start slow by walking 20 to 30 minutes each day and increase it gradually.


• Add strength training to your workout: Using weights to build muscle is important for strong bones, but it also helps to keep your muscles in balance. Make sure you add an abdominal workout to compensate for the back strengthening routine you partake in.


• Use good lifting techniques to prevent further injuries:When you are ready to lift something, you should plant your feet on each side of the item you plan on lifting. Bend over at your waist and knees. Get a good grip and lift the object using your butt and thigh muscles. Keep your abdominal muscles tightened to support your back.

Back Spasms

Back Spasms






Back spasms develop when the muscles contract involuntarily in the lower back. It is quite common for many people to have back spasms at some point. The lower muscles get tensed while contracting causing pain. The condition of pain may range from mild discomfort to intense pain. Back spasms involve contraction of different set of muscles in the body resulting in different symptoms. Wear and tear of muscles and swelling of muscles can cause back spasm. Most of the spasms can be managed with anti-inflammatory drugs and in some cases steroid medications are prescribed to control pain.

Points to Consider :

• Back spasm may present different symptoms according to the muscles that are affected during contraction.


• If the body gets dehydrated skeletal muscles are affected due to spasm causing intense pain.


• Most of the spasms can be easily treated by simply stretching the muscles but in some cases of underlying causes medical intervention is needed.


• Sometimes smooth muscles gets involved in the spasm like that of Menstrual Cramps or Diarrhea causing significant pain. Here the muscles of wall region would contract due to spasm and the pain comes and goes at intervals.


• In rare cases of dystonia, certain chemicals that are involved in the transmission of signals to/from the brain are affected. In such cases medications are given to balance the neurotransmitter levels.

Causes :

Any injury in the ligaments, tendons and the muscles can cause back spasm. Lifting of heavy objects in improper position can cause back spasms. Sports personalities are more likely to develop back spasm than others since they make frequent and sudden turn during the events. Any work that gives extra strain to the muscles of lower back region can cause injury to the muscles and tendons. People having problem with the abdominal muscles are more likely to get back spasms due to lack of support.

Arthritis problem or rupture of disk in the spine can cause back spasm. Due to swelling of muscles it exerts pressure on the spine thereby causing back spasm. Nerve endings are often put to pressure due to ruptured disk of the spine leading to back spasm. Overuse of muscles and excess of stretching of muscles and keeping the muscles in the same position for long duration can also cause spasm. Peripheral Artery Disease can reduce the normal blood flow to the legs causing spasms in the legs.

Risk Factors :

A person having weak stomach muscles, arthritis, disk rupture, spondylolysis, lordosis and Spinal Stenosis is at increased risk of developing spasm. Bending forward the pelvic region excessively can pose risk. Having inflexible muscles in the vertebral column can also increase the risk of getting back spasm.

Symptoms :

As said already, the symptoms of muscle spasm differ with respect to the type of muscles involved in the contraction. The intensity of pain may range from mild to sharp pain depending on the muscle. Spasm that is caused by contraction of skeletal muscles produces acute pain and one can see bulging of tight muscle below the skin. The pain would be there for few seconds to a minute and get resolves automatically as the muscle gets stretched.

Back spasm can show signs of mild discomfort to intense pain. The extent of pain varies with that of the underlying cause. It can cause acute sudden pain on the lower back and the pain may radiate upwards. Pain can also be felt on the pelvic region, abdomen and on the thighs. Spasms of the smooth muscle can produce colicky pain. Some of these kinds are menstrual cramps and pain produced when the kidney stone passes through the urethra.

Tests :

Back spasm is self explanatory and the person having spasm can feel the pain and discomfort. The muscles become tight and rigid on the particular area causing pain and it resolves only after the muscle is stretched to normal position. The doctor would first collect the complete medical history of the patient to know the underlying issues of the spasm. For individuals with intense pain in the leg caused by leg spasm the physician would check the palpitation in the feet. For those with recurrent back spasms, blood test would be done to check the levels of electrolytes and anemia.

Treatment :

Mild forms of back spasm need no treatment. Simple stretching of muscles on the back would resolve the problem. If the spasm is due to over-stretching of muscle or after an injury you can apply ice cubes on the back to reduce inflammation. Alternatively you can apply heat pack on your lower back which helps in regular blood flow and gives relief from pain. Take complete rest if your spasm develops after an injury since doing more activity would increase the pain further.

In case the pain does not subside you can take muscle relaxant drugs to facilitate easy healing. Your doctor may give a shot of cortisone injection on your lower back to get quick relief from the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs would be prescribed to control swelling of muscles. Physiotherapy is very effective for healing of muscles and strengthening. Chiropractic care is also beneficial for back spasms. For spasms that develop due to skeletal muscle contraction your doctor will check for electrolyte levels and possibility of dehydration. He would address the symptoms like vomiting and loose stool to manage the spasm.

Fluid loss should be prevented for recurring of spasm. For those having diarrhea enough water should be taken to prevent dehydration which can cause spasm. For spasms caused by other causes your doctor would have to address the underlying issues. Muscles should not be given over stress and pressure suddenly. It is wise to prepare the muscles first before doing heavy jobs like shoveling snow or mowing.

Over the counter painkillers like Advil or Motrin gives relief from symptoms of pain. Muscle relaxants like Valium or baclofen are prescribed for spasms that develop due to imbalance of chemicals in the brain. If spasm is due to sudden increase of dopamine level then your doctor may recommend Levodopa or reserpine. Botox injection is also effective to control dystonia.

Tips for Prevention :

Take care of your spine and do not overdo exercises. The risk of getting a spasm would be reduced if you are careful in moving directions while performing stressful work. Do all possible efforts to reduce your weight since it would considerably help in relieving the extra-pressure on your spine. Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes since this might cause stress on your lower back. Do regular physical exercise and increase your activity level gradually.