Back spasms are one of the common muscle problems, which anyone can experience when waking up from sleep, going to sleep, lifting heavy objects, or after making a sudden fast movement. These types of muscle spasms occur suddenly and without warning.
Cramping occurs as a result of an abnormal contraction of the muscles that cannot relax again, and there are many factors that contribute to the occurrence of these painful cramps such as obesity, dehydration, sitting or standing in the wrong position, loss of minerals from the body, lack of structural balance of the body and sleeping in postures False.
Most of the time, back spasms are a sign of a spinal injury or any other disease that requires medical intervention to treat it.
But when it comes to common back spasms, we must start treatment as soon as possible, or if the pain is unbearable and severe and interferes with daily activities.
In fact, muscle spasms are one of the most common causes of back pain.
Back spasms can be easily treated at home by applying some simple methods, but if the pain persists and becomes more severe with movement, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Back spasms treatment
Comforts
As soon as you feel a spasm in the back, you must immediately stop what you are doing and take a rest, as continuing the movement will make the pain worse, and can lead to serious muscle injury.
Therefore, you must go to bed or any flat surface carefully and slowly, and you must remain still and not move temporarily, and breathe deeply until it calms down, and you can also raise your legs on a pillow to reduce pressure on the spine and thus gradually relieve pain.
Staying still for some time prevents the injury from worsening, and this in turn reduces the intensity and duration of the pain. It is better to rest for a day or two and it is not necessary to stay in bed all the time, but you should stay away from activities that cause or increase back spasm such as lifting heavy objects Or doing certain exercises.
cold compresses
One of the preferred treatments for back spasm is to apply cold compresses to the affected area, and this method is effective, especially in cases of sprains and other injuries.
Cold compresses are effective during the first 24 to 72 hours of injury, as the cold heat works to reduce inflammation, which helps relieve pain, and the cold heat also works to contract the muscles that help stop the energy that causes the spasm.
- Tie some ice cubes in a thin towel.
- Place the towel on the affected areas for 15 minutes.
- Repeat this method every hour for the first 24 to 72 hours of infection.
If ice cubes are not available, you can use bags of frozen vegetables or commercial ice cubes.
Warning: Do not put ice cubes directly on your skin as it can cause burns or frostbite (ice leaves traces on your skin).
wet heat
72 hours after injury, applying moist heat to the affected area is an effective way to relieve back muscle pain and spasm.
Heat increases blood circulation to the area and warms the muscle, which helps it stretch. Heat also prevents pain from getting worse when the muscle is in danger of being pulled.
- Soak a washcloth in warm water, then squeeze out the excess water. Place the warm, damp washcloth on the affected area for 10 minutes. Repeat this method several times a day for two to three days.
- Also, taking a warm bath once or twice a day helps relieve pain.
Warning: Avoid excessive use of heat because it can increase swelling and puffiness.
massage (massage)
Muscle spasm can be eliminated by doing a simple massage, as gently massaging the affected area helps to relax the muscles. And more than that, the massage helps to improve the blood flow to the area, and since it is difficult and impossible to massage your back on your own, you can ask for help from one of your relatives or friend.
- Put a little olive oil or lukewarm coconut oil on the affected area.
- Gently massage the area for 5 to 10 minutes.
- After the massage, wrap the area with a warm towel.
- Repeat this method several times daily.
yellow mustard
Although it is not scientifically proven, it has been observed that many people experience rapid muscle cramp relief after eating yellow mustard.
One possible reason behind this could be that yellow mustard stimulates the nerves in the mouth which in turn can affect the nerves that cause the spasm.
- Eat a teaspoon of yellow mustard to reduce the pain caused by cramping.
Warning: Do not overdo it with this hot sauce because it can affect your digestive system negatively.
cayenne pepper (hot)
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and helps relieve pain caused by muscle spasms.
When applying products that contain capsaicin topically to the affected area, a feeling of warmth is produced that helps to relax these tense muscles.
- Mix half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder with a tablespoon of lukewarm olive oil.
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas and rub it gently for a minute.
- Rinse the mixture after 20 to 30 minutes.
- Use this simple remedy twice daily for a few days to get a full recovery.
- You can also use over-the-counter capsaicin creams to massage the affected area.
Warning: Do not apply cayenne pepper to irritated, inflamed, or injured skin.
english salt
A low level of magnesium in the body can increase the chance of muscle spasms, so the cause of spasm in your back muscles is a low level of magnesium, you can try an English malt soak.
The magnesium in Epsom salt stimulates muscle relaxation and recovery, but Epsom salt should be used only after 48 hours of muscle spasm.
- Fill the bathtub with warm water.
- Put 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt and mix it well.
- Soak yourself in the bathtub for twenty minutes.
- Often, this method reduces pain from the first use, but you can repeat it the next day if needed.
Warning: Epsom salt should not be used for heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
chamomile
Chamomile is an ancient herbal remedy used to reduce the discomfort associated with spasms of back muscles.
It is rich in flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory properties and help reduce pain. It also has a soothing and relaxing effect on the body, which facilitates the speedy recovery of spasm muscles.
- Mix a few drops of chamomile oil with two tablespoons of coconut oil and use it to massage the affected area two to three times daily.
- You can also drink chamomile tea two or three times a day. Soak a chamomile tea bag in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Drink the tea while it is warm.
Drink a lot of water
Dehydration is one of the main causes of muscle spasms, and also the imbalance of minerals in the body contributes to muscle spasms in the lower back area.
Therefore, drinking a lot of water helps to solve the problem to a large extent.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated all the time.
- With drinking water, eat fruits and vegetables that contain water to reduce the chance of dehydration.
- You can also drink sports drinks that contain minerals to balance minerals in your body.
Dehydration can lead to an imbalance of minerals in the body.
Chiropractic care or acupuncture
Chiropractic care is another natural way to treat back pain caused by sudden muscle spasms.
In chiropractic care centers, specialists use methods such as palpation, pressure, massage, manual spinal manipulation, practicing exercises, or creating a plan for you to change your lifestyle. All of these methods help reduce pain and inflammation.
Consult your doctor about the appropriate chiropractic treatment for you according to the underlying cause of your muscle spasm.
Acupuncture is another effective solution to treat back muscle spasms. In acupuncture treatment, some points in the body stimulate the needles to relax the spasm muscles, which in turn reduces pain and inflammation. Acupuncture is also performed by an acupuncturist who is trained and experienced in this field.
Some additional tips
- You can take some anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve pain and spasm.
- You can also use movement therapy that helps you reduce pain and spasm.
- Walking as much as possible stimulates blood flow, which reduces pain and spasm of back muscles.
- Make sure that you do not suffer from a low level of calcium and potassium in your body, as their deficiency affects people who suffer from cramps.
- To prevent back spasms in the future, you should make stretching exercises a part of your daily lifestyle.
- If you are overweight or obese, you can go to the gym or start playing a sport that helps you lose weight.
- If the pain becomes unbearable and does not improve within two weeks or it recurs in the same place for periods and eases and recurs again, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible