Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of a muscle. People often have "tight" muscles in their neck, back, shoulder, or legs. These are muscle spasms.

Athletes sometimes get cramps in their muscles during strenuous activity. These cramps are also spasms. A spasm usually occurs from overusing muscles or from an injury. If you are dehydrated during strenuous activity, you are likely to have cramps. Muscle spasms, especially in the neck, also may occur when you are under lots of stress. Cramps in the calf of the leg often occur at night during sleep.

A spasm feels like tightness or a knot in a muscle. It may hurt when you use the muscle. It may be hard to use the muscle. A cramp during exercise may be extremely painful.

How are they treated?

• Put ice packs on spasms caused by injury for the first 2 to 3 days. Use the ice for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours
• Try stretching the muscle. For example, you can stretch a cramp in the calf of your leg by straightening your lower leg and pulling your foot toward your head. It may also help to stand on the leg that is cramping
• Spasms that last a long time may be treated with moist heat for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day
• Massage is very helpful

The first thing a chiropractor will do is take a history to obtain more information about your chief complaint. You will be asked detailed questions about your complaint as well as your family history, diet and visits with physicians. All these questions will allow the chiropractor to get a better idea of your condition and help him or her determine the best way to treat you.

A physical examination follows, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis or other diagnostic procedures. The chiropractor may also perform postural and gait analysis so as to better assess your total health profile. A chiropractor will certainly perform a spinal examination and analysis to detect any structural abnormalities that may impede your normal function, or be causing your current complaint.

Chiropractic doctors spend years learning how to palpate -- that is, the act of feeling with the hands -- by applying various amounts of manual pressure through the surface of the body to determine size, shape, position and mobility. They also spend years learning other spinal examination procedures. Chiropractors palpate in order to determine where a specific adjustment is necessary.

An adjustment is a chiropractic procedure that uses a controlled force with a specific direction and velocity aimed at a specific joint or region in order to restore the proper motion or function to that joint or region.

What are the signs and symptoms of muscle injury?

Almost any degree of moderate force can cause some level of tearing of soft tissue, muscles and tendons of the body. This occurs commonly with activities that require pushing or pulling against great resistance, such as snatching a heavy box from the ground or pushing against a heavy object. Damage can also occur as a result of engaging in activities that require sudden twisting of the back - for example, turning excessively, as may occur while golfing.

How can muscle spasms be prevented?

Loosen the covers at the foot of your bed to help prevent leg cramps when you are sleeping. If you tend to get muscle cramps during exercise, make sure you drink enough fluids. Sports drinks may be very helpful. Some spasms may be caused by poor posture. For example, you may have neck spasms after sitting at a computer terminal for too long or in an awkward position. These spasms may be prevented with better posture.