subject: Use Of Muscle Relaxers [print this page] Muscle relaxation can theoretically occur by interrupting function at several sites, including the central nervous system, somatic nerves, unmyelinated motor nerve terminals, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, the motor end plate, and the muscle membrane or contractile apparatus.
Muscle relaxers are drugs that relax certain muscles in the body. Strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries can result in pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. Muscle Relaxersdo not heal the injuries, but they do help ease the discomfort and stop muscle spasms. The muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) is also sometimes used to treat fibromyalgia, a condition that involves aches, stiffness, and fatigue.
Muscle Relaxers work by acting on the central nervous system. In the United States, they are available only with a physician's prescription. Some Muscle Relaxers are available in Canada without a prescription. Most come only in tablet form. However, methocarbamol (Robaxin) is available in both tablet and injectable forms. Examples of Muscle Relaxers are carisoprodol (Soma), chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte DSC), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and methocarbamol (Robaxin).
Recommended dosage depends on the patient and the type of drug. Check with the physician who prescribed the drug or the pharmacist who filled the prescription for the correct dosage. Always take Muscle Relaxers exactly as directed by your physician. Never take larger or more frequent doses, and do not take the drug for longer than directed.
Muscle Relaxers are usually prescribed along with rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatments. Although the drugs may provide relief, they should never be considered a substitute for these other forms of treatment. The drugs may make the injury feel so much better that one is tempted to go back to normal activity, but doing too much too soon can actually make the injury worse.
These drugs work quite well for relieving muscle pain due to injuries, but are not effective for other types of pain. They should not be used for any other purpose other than for what they were prescribed.
Some people feel drowsy, dizzy, confused, lightheaded, or less alert when using these drugs. The drugs may also cause blurred vision, clumsiness, or unsteadiness. For these reasons, anyone who takes these drugs should not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that might be dangerous until they have found out how the drugs affect them.
Soma is a type of muscle relaxers used to relieve the pain and stiffness of muscle spasms and discomfort due to strain and sprain. It blocks signals between nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. Its action is not completely understood- Soma does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles. Its action may be related to its sedative properties instead. Regardless of the mechanism of action, for many patients the reduction of muscle spasm associated with lower back pain brings considerable relief. For these patients, the back relaxes, pain is reduced, and their ability function normally is enhanced.
