Muscle spasm or charley horse refers to the involuntary contraction of a muscle, usually it happens in the calves, thighs, and feet. Sometimes a person may experience this cramp in hands, arms, or along the rib cage (abdomen area). Ofttimes, it is harmless and goes on its own; however, it can prevent a person from using the affected muscle for a very short period of time.
Indeed, these are just those muscle twitches that everyone observed at least once in a lifetime. In most cases, these spasms are nothing of which anyone should be concerned about. However, knowing what is a muscle spasm, its symptoms and its causes can help prevent it further. Let’s explore muscle spasms and how to treat them.
Understanding Muscle Spasm Meaning in Depth
A muscle spasm or muscle cramp is a painful contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. It is very often uncontrollable and temporary but can be chronic. It happens when the muscle forcibly and involuntarily contracts uncontrollably, leaving you in an unrelaxed situation. This can happen to all the muscles, specific muscles, or a group of muscles.
Furthermore, any part of the body might have muscular spasms, such as the ones below:
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Muscle spasms in lower back
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- Muscle spasms in arms
- Charley horses and leg cramps
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Muscle spasm in neck
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- Chest cramps
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Muscle spasm in belly
- Ribcage spasms
These spasms may last as short as a few seconds to as long as 15 minutes. You must visit a doctor if you experience chronic muscle spasms. Some people are more prone to muscle spasms than others, like:
- Older adults (more than 65 years)
- Pregnant women
- Athletes
- Overweight or obese people
5 Muscle Spasm Symptoms to Look Out For
Muscle spasm sensations can vary depending on the situation. It could begin with mild discomfort and be linked to the symptoms listed below:
- Stiffness
- Sudden intense pain
- Visible muscle knots
- Twitching of the affected muscle
- Muscle may feel hard to touch
Muscle Spasm Causes
Knowing muscle spasm meaning and its causes will help you get a proper diagnosis. Some of the reasons why you can get a muscle spasm are:
- Lack of electrolytes
- Muscular tension
- Increased demand for blood flow
- Overuse of muscles
- Other underlying medical conditions
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Exercise
- Sitting or standing for extended periods
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Trapped nerves
- Thyroid problems
- Nerve disorders
Muscle Spasm Diagnosis
Understanding the symptoms of muscle cramp or twitch is necessary for your doctor to diagnose it correctly. Moreover, the diagnosis and treatment will differ since spasms can happen in different body parts. For example, if you go to the doctor for back muscle spasm treatment, the diagnosis may vary from what happens for neck spasms. In most cases, the diagnosis will begin by reviewing your past medical history and making a physical examination. It’s usually common for them to inquire about any medication you may be taking. For instance, if the spasm in the muscle is in your leg, the doctors may use palpating – touching your feet to feel their pulse.
Muscle Spasm Treatment
After understanding muscle spasm meaning, their cause, and how it is diagnosed, let’s look at some of the treatment options available. These listed options are the answers to the common question of how to relieve muscle spasms in neck and shoulder:
- Muscle relaxants
- Massage
- Stretching
- Ice compression
- Heat compression
- Staying hydrated
Stretching is one of the best muscle spasm treatments for the calf, thighs, neck, and back. Some of the stretching exercises for back muscle spasm remedy are as follows:
- Walk around to loosen the muscles.
- Tennis ball stretch by keeping the tennis ball under the back for a few minutes.
- Foam roller stretch by using a foam roller lying on the floor and keeping it perpendicular to the spine.
- Stretch your back, shoulders, and buttocks while sitting on an exercise ball and keeping your feet flat.
Conclusion
Hope you would have gained sufficient information about muscle spasm meaning, its causes, symptoms, and how it is treated. In most cases, muscle spasms are not anything to worry about. You can follow the simple remedies of relaxing, massaging the impacted area, and stretching for instant relief from pain and discomfort. However, if it continues that way, you better go see a doctor; it can be a symptom of some sickness, which needs urgent attention.
