Breaking down a back spasm

A back spasm is an episode of uncontrollable tightening of a muscle. By nature they are sudden and involuntary and are often brought on by strain and overuse or as a symptom of an injury or disorder. Heavy lifting, for example, is a common cause of back spasms because it is an activity that loads excessive strain to the ligaments and muscles in the lower back.  

Back spasms are a symptom

Back spasms are often caused by irritation to nerves which lead in and out of the spinal cord; a compression of the nerve root can cause sharp pain, or spasm, as the body attempts to send a signal that will prevent motion to stop further harm. The spasm is trying to protect you from causing further injury. When a patient complains of back spasms, there are several “usual suspects,” to check for, including: 

• Arthritis
• Muscle or ligament damage
• Ruptured disc 
• Degenerative disc disease
• Disc herniation 
• Weak core muscles
• Other acute injuries 

How we treat back spasms at Holmes Chiropractic

At our office in Houston, we seek to heal the condition that is causing your muscle spasms. In turn, this will allow you to return to a normal range of motion and encourage the healing process further. If a misalignment of the spine is causing undue compression to the nerve, we correct this situation with chiropractic adjustment and then work on strengthening key muscles surrounding the injury; strength of the surrounding muscles is a key way to prevent the injury from recurring. Give our office a call to schedule an appointment and stop your muscle spasms today!