Back spasms are unusual, involuntary and sometimes prolonged contractions of a muscle in the back. Back spasms can occur in any muscle in the back, but most often occur in the lower back. There is a high concentration of nerve endings in that region, so spasms occurring there are especially painful and can sometimes be debilitating for weeks. Two thirds of Americans experience back pain in their lives, but not all of those patients have muscle spasms.
It is believed that these muscle contractions can happen to protect another part of the back from further injury. For instance, if there is an injury in the region of the spine, such as a sprained ligament, the muscle can spasm and, because of the pain, immobilize that area of the back. This keeps the person from moving and therefore keeps the injury from further tearing. However, there are many different internal reasons for a back spasm such as tetanus, arthritis or even a tumor.
Some of the examples of when the muscle spasms are packing, lifting and moving boxes or poor desk ergonomics where bending and twisting occurs regularly. This repetitive motion and overuse of the spine can weaken or strain muscles that then spasm. Spasms are the most common athletic injury. Slouching while sitting or standing can also weaken the back muscles or put undue strain on the spine. Chronic ailments in patients with arthritis in the spine, or skeletal irregularities such as Lordosis (or swayback) often experience back spasms for the same reason – the muscles are working extra hard keep the spine safe and stable.
Reducing pressure on the back can ease the pain of a spasm. Most people find lying on their side with their knees pulled closer to the chest feels more comfortable than sitting and some believe that deep breathing can bring oxygen to the area to help relax the muscle.
In trying to find the cause of a spasm, a doctor will make a physical examination and ask for the patient’s health history. This exam can illuminate the reason for the spasm and if it is a regular reason for the spasm, or if there is something else causing the pain.
For spasms occurring from acute pain, such as back strain or sprain, treatment of spasms starts with reducing any inflammation and getting rid of pain. Icing the back at the area of discomfort, compression using an elastic bandage and resting the area is one of the first steps. Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the inflammation and muscle relaxants can help to reduce the pain. Some believe muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories can slow recovery, so a patient should speak with their health care provider before proceeding with any medication. Chiropractic care or spinal manipulation is also often prescribed.
While the injury is causing pain, movement should be avoided. After inflammation has been reduced then normal activity can be resumed. Recurrence of back pain is high, so a patient should be fully recovered before resuming any intensive exercise routine. Keeping weight down and strengthening both the stomach and back muscles are important things to keep in mind. Overloading the spine with extra weight of the lack of muscle tone in the stomach, back and legs is thought to increase the possibility of the injuries that can lead to muscle spasms.
My “muscle spasm” began in my mid-back thoracic region almost three years ago. There was no accident or incident that caused it. Since then I have seen 4 different chiropractors, by regular g.p., and two pain doctors. I have taken everything from anti-inflammatory meds to Valium to Vicodin, and several others. I have done chiropractic, exercise, acupuncture, and 4 epidurals / facet joint injections, and probably others I can’t remember. My doc won’t prescribe anything stronger than the Vicodin now, stating that if the Vicodin isn’t working then other meds like Oxycodone and Percodan stand the chance of not working either, and their addictive properties make her hesitant to prescribe. Okay, fine, I understand that. Now I’m on a nerve pain med in addition to the Vicodin and Zanaflex (bedtime only) and Diclofenac (anti-inflammatory). The pain is 24 / 7, bedtimes being some of the worst. Just sitting against the chair back, car seat, sofa or even the bed hurts as if I’m sitting against a two-by-four. Fortunately I have not missed a single day of work for this, it’s just something that you “tolerate” and learn to live with. I have learned to “stand between the millimeters” to find the one spot that doesn’t hurt. Any fraction of movement from that spot will cause pain. I have had MRI’s which show 7 bulging discs between my neck and mid back region. I have recently had x-rays that show scoliosis in the mid back; my neck has curvature in the opposite direction, thereby creating an “s” shape.
I am frustrated beyond belief, taking probably more medication than prescribed, but still not finding any relief. I can sleep with the help of Zanaflex and OTC sleeping pills. My pain doesn’t go away then, I just can’t stay awake to feel it. If I wake during the night, the pain is there, and it’s there as I wake up. Conclusion: there has been no resolution, no respite, no relief. I have an appointment in a couple weeks with a new pain doc, but don’t hold much hope for results. Surgery? The idea has come up, but I haven’t talked to anyone seriously about it.
Any suggestions, ideas, prayers, comments are welcome. Thank you all for letting me “vent” my frustrations.
Back pain patients are frequently prescribed physical therapy for their spinal stenosis symptoms and, increasingly, the McKenzie Method for back pain is being recognized as particularly effective in correcting postural problems, easing chronic and acute back pain, and improving function. The McKenzie Method is also known as ‘mechanical diagnosis and therapy’ (MDT) and is a philosophy of active patient involvement and education whereby the patient learns to manage their pain themselves and to self-treat in some regards. Many physiotherapists use the McKenzie Method in their care of spinal stenosis patients as it can be helpful not only for back pain but also for neck and extremity problems caused by spinal abnormalities.
I GET THESE EVERY COUPLE MONTHS OR LONGER. SOMETIMES OUT OF THE CLEAR, BUT USUALLY MY BACK WILL FEEL SO VERY TIRED. THEN ONE DAY THE GNAW AND SLIGHT BURNY FEELING WILL START. THEN THE SPASM ATTACK. IT IS DEBILITATING AND FEELS LIKE HOT KNIFE STABBING EVERY FEW SECONDS. ONLY LYING VERY STILL, NOT EVEN MOVING EYES, TAKING A MUSCLE RELAXER, ONE HYDROCODEN AND HAVING A BACK MASSAGE TO STOP THE SPASM AND THEN DO NOT MOVE. IT WILL GO AWAY. MAY HAVE TO TAKE JUST ONE MORE HYDROCODENE IN FOUR OR SIX HOURS. I DO HAVE ARTHRITIS IN BACK AND SOMETIMES I HAVE STRAINED MY BACK WITHOUT THINKING OF IT. WHEN IT GOES, IF I HAVE GIVEN MY BACK TIME TO REST, MY BACK WILL BE JUST FINE FOR MONTHS UNTIL I DO SOMETHING TO ANNOY IT.
I just found out that I have both arthritis and muscle spams on myl lower back. I have a feeling that I have it all over my back. The pain is so bad that at times I can’t even move. It’s some hard for me to move around when I am a person that loves to walk and do alot of activities. The muscles spams, I has that for almost 3 years when I got an amonina. They arthities, I just found out this year. I can’t bear this pain. At this moment my doctor can me opana and proza and I still get pain. I am only 46 years old and hate wait I’m going through with this pain. I was told that to try needles but I can’t stand them. At times my shoulders are very painful. The pain elevates from my neck to my lower back. At time I feel like giving up. But I have to think of my family and my beautiful 8 grandchildren that i have. I only have 2 know, the others were adopted and I’m hoping that if this gets any worse, I how that I can see them before any more worse happens to me. It’s been over 3 years that I haven’t seen 5 of them. The pain is too much and I don’t know what else to do.
I have this Spasm which causes me back pain in the upper left, just below my shoulder blade, My health provider advises me some good posture and proper lifting of loads. When I experience this Spasm which is like a burning sensation, I usually have a massage at night and have rest, the morning after, the pain goes away…
im 16 years old & this is the second time having it. this time though it seemed to have shifted my spine to the right. I can’t really stand straight. this is the most painful thing I
think anyone can to through. if anyone suggests anything, let me know :/