Back spasms are abnormal contractions of back muscles that can be extremely painful, often caused by tender, swollen, or inflamed muscles. Treatment includes ice, rest, compression, and medication such as anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants. Diagnosis is made through a physical exam and history.
Back spasms are spontaneous contractions of the back muscles that are abnormal in nature. When they occur near nerve roots or the spinal cord, back spasms can be extremely painful. When these muscle contractions occur, the patient often feels sudden pain when twisting, pulling, or pushing. Initially, people may find it possible to continue functioning, however, after a few hours, the back pain will become more severe, inhibiting any movement or activity. Usually, the patient will need to remain still to avoid any exacerbation of back pain.
Generally, back spasms occur when the muscles are tender, swollen, or inflamed. Any intense force can tear tendons and muscles in the lower back and contribute to twitching and spasms. This is commonly seen in sports such as baseball, football and golf, which require sudden twisting, pushing and pulling. Also, the incidence of back spasm increases when people have arthritis, ruptured discs, and a pelvis that tilts forward. Sometimes, stomach muscles that are weak and spinal muscles weakened can cause pain and spasms in the upper and lower back. Sometimes, the cause of back spasms is idiopathic, meaning that no known cause or explanation can be identified.
Typically, the diagnosis of back spasms can be made after your doctor takes a history and conducts a physical exam. Examination generally shows tenderness where the spasm is. Also, the doctor will look for pain on movement, especially when the patient leans forward. Your doctor may also examine the area for swelling, warmth, and redness, which can occur due to injury to surrounding tissue, muscles, and tendons.
Frequently, treatment for back spasms includes ice, rest, and compression. In most cases, ice packs reduce swelling, which often contributes to pain. Additionally, ice can help prevent further muscle contractions and spasms. Rest helps the injury heal by keeping the patient comfortable because movement often makes the pain worse. Many times, doctors will recommend that the patient wear a compression device such as an elastic garment or bandage around the back to limit movement and provide support.
Although back pain treatment with non-drug remedies can be very effective in reducing pain, the patient with back spasms also often needs medication. Typical medications used for back pain and spasm include anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants. Generally, anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the resulting swelling and pain, while muscle relaxant drugs help reduce the incidence of muscle twitching. Sometimes, when conventional treatments are ineffective, the doctor may refer the patient to another doctor who specializes in orthopedics or neurology for further evaluation and treatment.
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