What Is A Muscle Spasm?
The Medical Dictionary states muscle spasm is persistent increased tension and shortness
in a muscle or group of muscles that cannot be released voluntarily.
Everyone at some point in their life is likely to suffer from muscle spasm whether from doing excessive exercise or from just having a cold breeze hitting the side of their neck. A muscle spasm can also be a symptom of a previous medical condition for instance Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or acute lower back pain.
Muscle spasm manifests when abnormal activity in the muscle triggers involuntary contractions, these contractions can be chronic and become very painful. The contractions arise when the electrical signals to the brain affect the nerve cells located in the spinal cord. This causes muscles to tighten and pull the spinal bones enough to slightly rotate them, resulting in pinched nerves. This is then often mistaken to be nerve pain, which is also very painful.
Hamstrings, quadriceps, feet, hands and calf muscles are the most common places for muscle spasm to occur. They can be chronic and if left untreated may turn into a muscle knot. A muscle knot is when sections within the muscle have constricted to create constant tension and pain.
Most muscle spasm appear early after an injury and are the body's way of protecting itself from further injury. Other causes include poor nutrition, too much exercise, depletion of electrolytes, dehydration, muscle fatigue and magnesium and calcium deficiencies. All of which are easily treatable at home.
Poor nutrition, magnesium and calcium deficiencies can be treated by diet alteration or supplements. Calcium deficiencies can be overcome by eating milk products such a yogurt or cheese or other calcium rich foods such as salmon, beans, almonds and spinach. Magnesium enriched foods include nuts, seeds, soy milk and whole grain used in cereals and breads.
Alternative causes of muscle spasm can be treated by a range of things at home, although medical treatment should be sought in the long-term. These treatments include rest, ice, heat and massage. Deep breathing and relaxation exercises will help to relax the muscle, for example if the pain is in the knee or calf pulling the toes towards you will shorten the tightened muscle and will help it to relax by relieving some pressure and help to reduce the pain.
Medical treatment for muscle spasm may include muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs and trigger point injections. The negative side to this being there is always a chance of unwanted side effects such as vision changes, light-headedness, nausea and drowsiness; this can interrupt general day to day life during the treatment process.
As with every other condition, prevention is the best medication. Luckily, preventing muscle spasm is easy enough
1.keep hydrated especially when it is hot out
2.stretch your feet and legs after taking your shoes off
3.warm up properly before physical activities as this puts less strain on your muscles
4.drinking herbal tea help you relax, camomile contains glycine, a chemical that eases muscles
5.do strengthening exercises on the area the spasm's have presented themselves in
by: Annette Badowski1
Why The Controversy Proper Dental Care Helps To Maintain Your Smile. Back Pain Treatment With Some Better Way Heroin Detox Cocaine Rehab Fabulous Anti Aging Makeup Tips For Every Woman Tips To Increase Breast Size Tips To Increase Penis Size Health care reform's costs rankle states Do You Have Some Nerve? Bacterial Vaginitis Natural Cure Getting Over Panic Symptoms Physicians appeal Health Net acquisition