Back pain is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. In fact, about 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point during their lives. It’s no surprise that there are several different types of back spasms and each one can have a variety of causes. Those experiencing severe or chronic back pain and back spasms should consult with a doctor to determine if an underlying medical condition is causing it or not.
Muscle spasms or cramps can happen anywhere in the body, and it's relatively common amongst many individuals—and back spasms are one of the most painful, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.
At least one-third of the population experiences muscle spasms or cramps in their lifetime. This often happens when your muscles are overused, and back spasms are no exception to this rule.
Spasms can occur anywhere in the body, including a place like your back where you may be sitting for hours at work or driving for long periods of time. When these muscles become fatigued, they will begin to contract involuntarily and cause intense pain that lasts from seconds to minutes depending on how severe it is.
Why do you have back spasms?
Back spasm is common, and there are many reasons for it. One of the most frequent causes is high blood pressure. Other causes include poor posture, overuse or injury. These may be due to work or home life - lifting heavy objects incorrectly from bending your spine forward instead of with knees bent, for instance. But there are many things you can do to prevent back spasms! Stretching before and after physical activity and taking breaks when performing repetitive tasks at work or home helps avoid back pain as well as other injuries.
Your back and spine work hard for you, so the better you take care of it, the lower your chances of developing back spasms, and what better way to deal with it than stopping it from coming back? Here's how you can do just that.
- Lose Weight - If you're overweight, shedding a couple of pounds can relieve the stress on your spine and joints, reducing your chances of getting back spasms. Losing even a little weight can make an impact; if you lose 10-20lbs(5-10kg), then it could be as much as 50% less pressure on your spinal discs!
- Fix Your Posture - Picking up the habit of standing up straight and wearing the right kind of shoes can provide stability and increase strength on your back. Posture is not limited to standing or seating position. It also includes the way a person would carry an object. Instead of bending at the waist, you should squat when you pick up heavy objects.
- Exercise Regularly - Engaging in physical activity often, including strengthening exercises for your back, can keep you physically fit, lower your chances of getting cramps. Back spasms also affects athletes, but having regular exercise makes for stronger muscles. There is also greater pain tolerance muscle spasms.
- Avoid Staying in One Position for Too Long - Spending an extended period sitting or lying down can worsen your back issues, increasing the frequency of spasms. If you work at an office desk, it is suggested to have regular breaks to stand and walk around.
Symptoms that Happens Alongside Back Spasm
There are several causes of back spasms, and these can also be triggered in different ways. Due to the different possible causes, back spasms indicate other possible problems. It can accompany other symptoms that vary drastically, depending on the person's condition and any existing disease or disorder. If you are already seeking treatment and practicing prevention methods but still experiencing the following symptoms, seek professional help immediately.
- Backache - When suffering from back spasms, this can radiate down to your buttocks, hips, and legs. Spasms of the lower back are more common, mainly because of the cause of the spasms. The pain radiates outward from the lower back and can render a person immobile.
- Headache - Muscle cramps often come with headaches, particularly in the back of the head.
- General weakness - The pain that a person feels during an attack of muscle spasms can drain the body of energy making the person weak. While there is pain, the person is usually not in any state to move.
- Abnormal Sensations - This could be anything that rarely happens to a person, such as numbness and weakness on one side of the body.
- Impaired Balance - Suffering from frequent back spasms can negatively affect coordination, making you lose your balance.
Why You Should Visit A Chiropractor For Back Spasms?
About 80% of Americans will experience back spasms at some point during their lives. It’s no surprise that there are several different types of back spasms and each one can have a variety of causes.
Those experiencing severe or chronic back pain should consult a chiropractor to determine if an underlying medical condition is causing it or not.
More importantly, a chiropractor can offer both relief and prevention from back spasms. Through gentle but precise adjustments, a chiropractor can correct the spine’s alignment and relieve pain and pressure on your back. He can also teach you how to prevent or not trigger back spasms.
Conclusion
Back spasms are sudden tightness and pain in the back muscles that may happen due to overuse or an injury from things like sleeping in an awkward position, bending, lifting heavy objects, and standing—but the cause isn't always exact. Regardless of how you got your back spasms after getting treated, it's best to take some extra measures to prevent them from reoccurring for a healthier and pain-free life.