Treating Muscle Spasms

We all experience muscle spasms everyday while doing our normal tasks. However, sometimes, we don’t even know it. What’s even more surprising is, our brains actually send the signal to the muscles to contract, unwilled by the body.

Almost always, muscle spasms are associated with pain. But while pain does come with them very often, there are a few times wherein a person doesn’t feel pain at all. Muscle spasm can be defined as the involuntary contraction of the muscles. Although muscle spasms mean the same thing, there are various types involved. Hence, treating muscle spasms are addressed through different means as well, ranging from diet enhancements, to medical techniques.

There are several causes of muscle spasms including dehydration, medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, muscle strain, nerve or spinal cord damage, trauma, and reactions to toxic materials like strychnine.

The type of muscle contraction when muscle spasms occur is involuntary. This means that the body does not will the muscles to contract, but it is the brain which sends out the signal. Muscle contractions happen a lot when we do exercises. However, unlike in muscle spasms, these are all voluntary contractions.

The most important factor to consider when treating muscle spasms is hydration issue. Individuals who have poor hydration are at an increased risk to suffer from cramps. Some studies also pointed out that the lack or absence of calcium and magnesium in the body can lead to the occurrence of muscle spasms. Thus, people who experience frequent cramping may complement their diets with magnesium and calcium containing foods or supplements. If these still do not end the cramps, a doctor’s visit is recommended so that other possible causes may be known. Sometimes, exposures to pesticides and other chemicals trigger muscle spasms.

Stomach muscle spasm or stomach cramp is mostly associated with certain health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, or stomach flu. This type of muscle spasm comes with pain, although control of its cause can minimize the frequency of the cramps.

Muscle cramps may involve the entire muscle or a part of it, or several muscles in a specific muscle group. And even if these can happen in any muscle in the body, the muscle groups most commonly affected are: hands and feet; lower leg and calves; and the upper leg.

The intensity of muscle spasms can range from a minor twitch, to a severe and painful contraction. These can last from less than a minute to more than 15 minutes, and are often apparent through the twitches and movements of the muscles beneath the skin.

Individuals who are more prone to suffer from muscle spasm are those who are overweight, unfit, or ill. People who are taking certain drugs or medications, as well as those whose environment are hot and humid are likely to experience cramping more often. Muscle cramps are likewise common in athletes, and those beyond 65 years old who still engage in physical activities.

Treating muscle spasms may not be necessary for some people. Sometimes, cramps go away without any treatment. However, there are things that people can do in order to reduce the duration and severity of the cramps. For starter, they should make sure that the activities which caused the cramps are stopped. Stretching the affected muscles will also give relief. Areas surrounding those muscles should be constantly moved and applied with gentle massages. Heat massages work well to promote normal flow of blood.

Typically, muscle spasms have something to do with a person’s overall fitness and health. Thus, getting rid of the problem should start by improving one’s lifestyle.