Information and Treatment

Muscles spasms or cramps are frequent when the deep spinal structures such as the discs and nerve roots become compressed or injured. The intense pain from the muscle spasms are caused by the bodies innate need to stop an injured area from moving by telling the local muscles to maximally contract. Spasms are involuntary and are some of the most intense pain a person can experience.

Think of muscle spasms as a means for the brain to gather information about a potentially injured area by preventing motion of the joint complex. This prevents further injury and gathers important information and treatment options.  Muscles spasm will frequently occur when the joint is moved into the direction of perceived injury. This frequently occurs during low back pain when a patient bend forward in an effort to loosen or relieve the spasm.

Muscle Spasm Causes

• Pinched Nerve- The muscle with contract in an effort to take pressure off of the involved nerve.
• Injured disc- Disc injuries or bulges can cause muscle spasm by themselves or when they bulge enough to pinch a nerve.
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances of potassium, magnesium and calcium (less common)
• Poorly interrupted sensory or proprioceptive information to the brain from the local area