Muscle spasms or muscle cramps are painful contractions and tightening of the muscles. Muscle spasms occur when the muscles involuntarily and forcibly contract and cannot relax.
Muscle spasms are normal and very common, and can involve part of, or all of, a muscle or several muscles in a group. These spasms can occur anywhere in the body. The most common types of muscle spasms include:
- Back spasms
- Leg cramps and charley horses
- Neck spasms
- Arm spasms
- Abdomen spasms
- Ribcage spasms
- Chest spasms
Muscle spasms can occur in anyone at any time, including while walking, sitting, exercising, or sleeping. Some individuals are more susceptible to muscle spasms than others and experience them regularly with any type of exertion. People most likely to get muscle spasms include:
- Athletes
- Pregnant women
- Infants
- People who are obese
- People over the age of 65
Most of the time, muscle spasms aren’t something to worry about. However, muscle cramps can indicate an underlying neurological condition that affects the brain. Involuntary muscle movements resulting from a neurological condition are called dystonia.
Muscle spasms range from mild to severe. Mild muscle spasms feel like the muscle is jumping around on its own and can be seen twitching. Severe muscle spasms feel like the entire muscle stiffens into a tight ball. If the cramping is painful, it may cause lingering discomfort in that area for a couple of days.
If muscle spasms result from a neurological condition, they may cause symptoms such as:
- Paralysis
- Muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Coordination issues
- Numbness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Vision issues
Experts aren’t sure why some people get muscle spasms more than others. However, possible causes can include:
- Dehydration
- Muscle fatigue
- Exercising in extreme heat, which causes heat cramps
- Not enough stretching
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Stress
- Too much high-intensity exercise
A healthcare provider can diagnose muscle spasm by reviewing a person’s health history and medications, as well as asking questions that include:
- How bad is the pain?
- How long do the cramps last?
- When do muscle spasms usually happen?
- What do the muscle spasms feel like?
- When did the muscle spasms start?
There is no pill or injection used to treat and relieve muscle spasms. However, some things can be done to try and stop muscle cramps, including:
- Massage the affected areas with your hands or a massage roller
- Stretch the affected area
- Stand up and walk around
- Apply heat or ice
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Muscle spasms can happen at any time, and because they are so predictable, they can be difficult to prevent. Unfortunately, there are risk factors that can’t be avoided, such as your age. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk, including:
- Stretching your muscles regularly
- Performing flexibility exercises
- Drinking a lot of water
- Wearing shoes that fit properly
- Avoiding exercising in extreme heat
- Working toward better overall fitness
- Staying at a weight that is healthy for you
- Avoiding medications that may cause muscle spasms as a side effect
- Stretching your muscles before going to sleep
- Using pillows to keep your toes pointed upward if you sleep on your back or letting your feet hang over the end of the bed if you sleep on your chest, to prevent leg cramps
If you are experiencing muscle spasms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.
FollowAll content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
