You’re bending over to lift a heavy box full of holiday decorations when suddenly, you’re unable to move. Back spasms begin to move through your lower back in waves and it takes everything in you to not fall down.

Sudden back spasms occur in about 8 out of every 10 adults. If you’ve had one episode of sudden muscle spasms, you’re likely to experience it again.

A back spasm is the sudden involuntary contraction of muscles in your back. For some, the muscle spasms last only a few seconds and are only mildly uncomfortable. But others may experience pain so severe that it becomes difficult to move.

Causes of Muscle Spasms

Back spasms may be the result of a sudden injury or a sign of an underlying spinal condition. Some conditions that may lead to muscle spasms in the back include:

  • Bulging disc
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Failed back surgery syndrome
  • Herniated disc
  • Spinal stenosis

Muscle spasms occur as the muscle reacts to the pain and inflammation caused by the spinal condition.

Symptoms of Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms often feel like a tightening up or knotted feeling in your back muscles. The pain is often centered at the muscles and does not extend into your arms or legs. However, if you have an underlying spinal condition, you may experience other symptoms, such as numbness or tingling and muscle weakness, along with the muscle spasms.

Diagnosing Back Spasms

If you’re suffering from muscles spasms, your doctor may order imaging studies, such as an MRI or CT scan, to get a better look at your muscles and soft tissues. An MRI or CT scan can help identify any underlying spinal conditions that could be causing your painful back spasms.

Along with imaging studies, your doctor may complete a full physical evaluation to determine how severe your back pain is, how often the spasms occur, when it began and what helps you relieve the pain.

Treatment

When you first have a back spasm, you may want to try hot/cold therapy. Hot/cold therapy will involve alternating between a hot pack and cold pack. Cold will help reduce inflammation while hot will help improve blood flow.

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can also help reduce some of the pain.

If your back spasms persist, physical therapy may help in strengthening your back and abdominal muscles, which can help protect your back from further injury and reduce your back spasms.

Prevention Tips

Prevention begins with properly taking care of your back. Some ways you can prevent muscle spasms include:

  • Stretching regularly
  • Exercising regularly
  • Strengthening your core
  • Losing weight, if you are overweight
  • Drinking plenty of water
  • Standing up straight
  • Eat foods high in vitamins and minerals
  • Lifting properly

If you are suffering from muscle spasms, muscle weakness, tingling and numbness, contact The Bonati Spine Institute. We can review your MRI to determine if an underlying spinal condition is causing your back spasms.

Contact Bonati to schedule a consultation.