• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Prevention and how to stop a muscle spasm

Dava Stewart January 21, 2020

In some instances when considering how to stop a muscle spasm, on-going instrument-assisted adjustments may help patients remain pain free.

Everyone is familiar with the pain of a muscle spasm—most people have experienced the pain and discomfort of a charley horse or sudden cramp, which is caused by the involuntary contraction of a muscle.1

Most people, too, have experienced fasciculation, or muscle twitches, which are usually not painful the way a sudden cramp may be. When thinking about how to stop a muscle spasm, remember that cramps and fasciculation are the result of muscles contracting involuntarily.

The problem

Muscle spasms can be a response pain, which occurs as the body takes steps to protect itself. Shoulder impingement, for example, can cause muscle spasms. Another common cause, particularly for athletes, is facet joint pain.2 In cases where injury has not caused the spasms, there are several other possible causes, including:

  • Dehydration
  • Poor nutrition
  • Weak muscles
  • A condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia

How to stop a muscle spasm? Finding and correcting the underlying problem, not just the residual spasms, will help stop and relieve a patient’s pain.3 Once the underlying cause has been addressed, whether it is an injury or one of the causes listed above, treatment options can be discussed.

DCs almost always have patients who are experiencing muscle spasms in the muscles of the neck and/or back, and instrument adjusting can help relieve the underlying causes of those painful spasms.4

The treatments and how to stop a muscle spasm

Often, medical doctors will prescribe either muscle relaxers or antispasmodic drugs to patients suffering from local muscle spasms—Flexeril, Skelaxin and Botox are all common prescriptions. Another common treatment for back muscle spasms is injections.

Instrument adjusting is a useful tool for chiropractors treating patients with muscle spasms because it can allow for extremely precise adjustments. Some computer-assisted instruments can measure the spasms, providing more information to work with. In addition, the same types of computer-assisted instruments can show exactly how much change results from an adjustment, which helps the adjustments be perfectly targeted and leads to better results.

Without treatment, on-going muscle spasms can result in permanent damage, so treatment is essential.1 Some patients may be fine after their initial treatments, while others may need to perform regular stretching and strengthening exercises to prevent future muscle spasms. In some instances when considering how to stop a muscle spasm, on-going instrument-assisted adjustments may help patients remain pain free.

References

1 NYU Langone Medical Center. “Muscle pain and spasm.” New York University. http://pain-medicine.med.nyu.edu/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/muscle-pain-and-spasm. Accessed January 2015.

2 Sports Injury Clinic. “Facet Joint Pain.” SportsInjuryClinic.net. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/low-back-pain/facet-joint-pain. Accessed January 2015.

3 Gonzales C. “How you can get relief from back spasms now.” BasicSpine.com. http://www.basicspine.com/blog/relief-from-back-spasms/. Published May 2013. Accessed January 2015.

4 Cedars-Sinai. “Back Spasm.” Cedars-Sinai.edu. http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Back-Spasm.aspx. Accessed January 2015.

Related Posts

  • Naturally relieve leg cramps with herbsNaturally relieve leg cramps with herbs
  • Mainstream treatments for common knee conditionsMainstream treatments for common knee conditions
  • Why chiropractic patient retention lies in instrumentsWhy chiropractic patient retention lies in instruments
  • Pain management: consider myofascial releasePain management: consider myofascial release
  • Instrument adjusting techniques for limited cervical spine range of motionInstrument adjusting techniques for limited cervical spine range of motion
  • Add IASTM tools, soft tissue mobilization to your treatment planAdd IASTM tools, soft tissue mobilization to your treatment plan

Filed Under: Instrument Adjusting, Resource Center

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • World Federation of Chiropractic announces open virtual congress in September
  • Life West marks 40 years of promoting vitalistic chiropractic
    Life West College photo
  • Lifestyle change for women, even in middle age, may reduce future stroke risk