Addressing Long-Term Relief for Chronic Muscle Spasms

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons defines muscle spasms as a health condition in which the muscles tighten or stiffen. People with this diagnosis experience abnormal fluid movements. Muscles tend to resist stretching and stay in a contracted state, which inhibits movement, gait, and even speech. Here are some approaches to providing long-term relief for your chronic muscle spasms:

The Causes and Symptoms

Muscle spasms result from any disruption to the area of the spinal cord and brain that controls muscle reflexes. An imbalance in the excitatory and inhibitory signals to the muscles causes these disruptions. This causes the muscles to lock and can affect joint and muscle development in children.

Patients with brain injury or cerebral palsy can have different levels of muscle spasms. The symptoms can vary as well, from mild stiffness to uncontrollable spasms. Here are the symptoms to watch out for:

Muscle stiffness.
Muscle spasms that cause painful and uncontrollable contractions.
Muscle fatigue.
Involuntary leg crossing.
Joint and muscle deformities.

Diagnosing Chronic Muscle Spasms

Your chiropractor will perform a physical exam first. Pressing on the painful area with your fingers can detect some tense spots. There are techniques on how to press trigger points. Certain responses, like muscle twitching, can occur. You should also consult your doctor about your muscle pain. To rule out other causes of muscle pain, you will need procedures and tests.

Treatments Available

Treating myofascial pain involves using trigger point injections, physical therapy, or medications. Exercise is important in treating muscle spasms. You can talk to your chiropractor about the treatment options available. Medications may not be suitable for long-term relief of chronic muscle spasms. That is why your chiropractor will recommend the following chiropractic treatments:

Posture training can improve the way you sit and stand. It can help relieve chronic muscle spasms, especially in the neck. Your chiropractor can recommend exercises to strengthen the muscles around the trigger point in that area. These workouts can avoid overworking the neck muscles and other areas.
Stretching exercises can help ease muscle pain in specific areas. The stretches in the trigger point area can be initially uncomfortable, but this will pass with the help of your chiropractor.
Heat therapy can relax the muscles. It can reduce pain and relieve muscle tension.
Massage therapy can relieve the pain as well. Long strokes or pressure on specific areas can help release muscle tension.
Ultrasound therapy can increase warmth and blood circulation in a specific area. This can enhance tissue healing and promote muscle spasm relief.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

Your chiropractor can suggest some ways to manage chronic muscle spasms at home. You can be proactive in your treatment by keeping your body strong and healthy. You can also make some changes to help your body heal. Gentle exercises can help you cope better with muscle spasms. You must keep moving as long as your pain allows it.

Eating a diet that is high in fruit and vegetables can give your body the extra nutrients it needs for muscle tissue healing. Drinking more water can also help keep your muscles working well. Take the time to relax. Talking to friends, meditating, or writing a journal can also be helpful.

Focusing on your chronic muscle spasms can improve your quality of life. At Thorburn Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we help our patients regain health and mobility through our effective treatments. You can visit our center in Burbank, California, for an in-person consultation. Please call 818-600-9020 to set up an appointment or ask about our chronic muscle spasm treatment packages.