Back Spasm

A back spasm is one of the most painful experiences for a patient to endure. Muscle spasms in the back can be truly horrific and debilitating. I am intimately acquainted with these unbelievably painful occurrences, since I suffered with them for 18 years of my adult life.

Back Spasm Pain

A muscle spasm occurs due to a variety of reasons. A spasm is a powerful contraction or stiffening of the muscle. When a muscle goes into spasm, the person is unable to stop the forcible tightening of the muscle and surrounding tissue. Muscle spasms are designed to protect the injured area by limiting motion in painful tissue. Muscle spasms can be brought on by injury, advanced degenerative process, or most commonly, oxygen deprivation.

Oxygen Deprivation Back Spasm

One of the most common reasons for muscle spasms to occur is from ischemia. This is the same process that occurs when a person experiences cramps from continued muscular usage. Long distance runners and other endurance athletes are experts in dealing with this common side effect of their sports. Charlie horse cramps are also examples of ischemic pain and are often experienced when a tired muscle is elevated. This is the reason for the high incidence of leg cramps in bed. The leg muscles do not get the same amount of blood flow and suffer from an deprived state of oxygenation.

Back muscles are some of the biggest and strongest in the body. They are working almost constantly to maintain our posture and balance. These muscles do not fatigue easily, but are still prone to injury and oxygen deprivation. Ischemic cramps in the postural back muscles can be so painful that the patient may feel as if there is a life threatening problem in their spine. The realty, however, is usually just a low oxygen level in these painful muscles. It is a simple process that can have dire results...

Back Spasm Treatment

The horrible pain of a muscle spasm often drives most patients right to their doctor or hospital for emergency treatment. This is usually unnecessary and actually often creates the start of a long lasting chronic pain condition. The doctor will often blame the pain on some coincidental scapegoat condition. This diagnostic nocebo effect can trigger a psychosomatic pain syndrome. This psychological pain will continue long after the original muscle pain has ended. The patient will not even know the difference…

Recommendation for a Back Spasm

Relax and breathe. I know it hurts, trust me, I DO KNOW… I have experienced this terrible oppressive pain countless times. The best thing to do is to simply relax and allow the pain to pass. Do not assume that you will be in pain for days or weeks. Try to more around occasionally and conservatively while resting the muscles. OTC pain relievers might help as will ice and/or heat. Remember that the severity of the pain is NOT an indicator of the extent of the damage. Ischemia leaves no permanent effects once it has passed. Learn the facts about the real nature of your pain and there is a good chance that you will never have to suffer from a back muscle spasm ever again.