A muscle spasm is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more muscles. Spasm stems from abnormally sustained muscle contraction and is often painful. Different muscles can develop spasms, including the small intrinsic hand muscles of a musician to the larger “charley horse” the calf muscles of a runner.
Muscle spasm can include the skeletal muscles of the limbs and spine which are responsible for the movement and the exact position of the body or the smooth muscles lining the hollow, tubular internal organs of the body, such as the muscles lining the colon or bladder.
What are the Causes of Muscle Spasms?
Excessive use of muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply maintaining a position for a long period of time can result in a muscle spasm. In many cases, however, the cause is unknown.
While most muscle spasms are harmless, some may be associated with a basic health condition such as:
1. Insufficient blood supply. When the arteries that deliver blood to the legs become narrow (arteriosclerosis of the extremities), it can lead to the formation of cramp-like pain in the legs and feet during physical exercise. These cramps usually leave you shortly after you stop exercising.
2. Nerve compression. Nerve compression in the spine (lumbar stenosis) can also cause cramp-like pain in the legs. The pain usually worsens when you walk over a long distance. Walking in a slightly bent position - like the one you would use when pushing a shopping cart in front of you can improve or delay the onset of the symptoms.
3. Mineral depletion. Insufficient potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to the spasm of the leg. Diuretics - medicines often prescribed for hypertension - can also deplete these minerals.
Risk Factors
Below are the factors that could increase the risk of muscle spasms:
1. Age. Muscle spasm is common in elderly individuals this is because of the loose muscle mass, this makes overstretch of the remaining muscle to be easy.
2. Dehydration. Muscle spasm is common among athletes that became fatigued and dehydrated by taking part in warm-weather sports.
3. Pregnancy. Muscle spasm is also common during pregnancy.
4. Medical conditions. You may have a greater risk of muscle spasm if you have diabetes, nerve, liver or thyroid disorders.
Symptoms of Muscle Spasms
Majority of the muscle spasms can develop in the leg muscles, especially in the calf. In addition to sudden, acute pain, you can also feel or see a hard lump of muscle tissue underneath your skin.
Muscle Spasms Treatment
Treatment for Muscle Spasms requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your muscles. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your muscles to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Tendon and Ligament Poultice
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
