Back Spasms Causes

Involuntary and painful contraction of a muscle leads to a muscle spasm. Muscle spasms can be caused due to a number of reasons. If left untreated, they can have extremely serious consequences. So, what causes back spasms? Let's find out about back spasms causes, its symptoms and treatment.

Back Muscle Spasms Symptoms
A person might experience sudden muscle pain, while twisting, pushing or pulling in the lower back. After this, it may be impossible to continue the movements for some time. After two to three hours, stretching of the torn muscle and tendons can cause bleeding in the muscles and lead to severe lower back pain spasms. These can cause severe pain which worsens with back movements. Sudden, severe pain and palpable tension in the back muscles are common back spasms symptoms.

Back Muscle Spasm Causes
Though, a back spasm is caused due to several reasons, here are a few of the common back spasms causes.

Injury: Injuries are known to be one of the common causes of muscle spasms. Injury can be due to a single traumatic accident or might be caused by overuse (chronic muscular exertion). Repeated movements of the spine, like those during sports such as baseball, cricket, tennis, squash, handball or golf, may cause overuse and eventually lead to an injury or inflammation of the back muscles. This is also very common in individuals, whose lower back muscles are functionally weak.

Sports: Muscle spasms in back occur when a muscle is swollen and inflamed or strained. Any great force can lead to tearing of the muscles and tendons of the lower back. Such a force is possible while an individual is playing sports like football, basketball, weightlifting, baseball or golf. Sudden pushing or pulling or sudden twisting of the back, is quite commonplace during such sports.

Exercise: Exercise is one of the common back spasms causes. Doing strenuous exercises can lead to spasms in the back. Performing exercises that include lifting weights can cause strain over the muscles, if not performed in the right way. Exercising much more than what is suitable for your body can also lead to back spasm.

Wrong Posture: Overstraining is amongst the common back spasms causes. This can happen, while performing household activities or physical exercises. Lifting very heavy objects in a wrong way, may overexert the back muscles, which are not prepared for this movement and this is what causes a back spasm. Bending the knees is very essential, while you lift heavy objects. Keeping wrong posture while you stand, sit or sleep are also amongst the back spasms causes.

Nutritional Deficiency: When there is a deficiency of mineral nutrients, particularly calcium and potassium, these result in low electrolyte levels in the body causing muscle spasms in the back. Deficiency of salts can also be a cause of muscle spasms and dehydration may possibly lead to this deficiency.

Other Causes: Serious nervous system conditions can be another cause of back spasms. If you experience sharp and extremely painful muscle spasms in your neck or back, you must consult an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible. This condition can be a symptom of a ruptured or bulging disc in your spine, which if left untreated, can lead to extremely serious consequences. Back spasms can also be an indication of an underlying health condition like muscle fatigue or damage of the nerves.

Back Muscle Spasm Relief
Do not take a prolonged bed rest, this can make your muscles weak and stiff, further leading to painful conditions. Move around for back spasm pain relief. Once the back pain is in control, do exercises to rebuild the muscular strength and improve the range of motion. Consult your doctor to know which back exercises are suitable for you. Take care so that you do not re-injure the same muscles. A supportive back brace can be used, while performing heavy work. Maintain a right posture, all the time. Ice therapy is effective in reducing swelling and relieving pain.

By reading the above-mentioned back spasms causes, you would have understood that taking care can help you stay away from this problem. If you are suffering from back spasm, be careful while performing any sort of movements and in case of pain, avoid repetition of same movements. Read more on: Causes of muscle spasms.