- Stretch the affected area.
- Massage the affected area with your hands or a massage roller.
- Stand up and walk around.
- Apply heat or ice. Put an ice pack together or apply a heating pad, or take a nice warm bath.
- Take painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
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Learn More...What's the best way to relieve muscle spasms?
Using heat pads or ice packs on the muscle can provide immediate relief. Sometimes muscle spasms are due to over-stimulated muscles, and ice can help calm down the transmission of impulses from the brain to the overactive muscle.
Is there an over the counter treatment for muscle spasm?
The 7 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers
- Chamomile. It contains 36 flavonoids, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. ...
- Cherry juice. People who sign up for marathons train vigorously, often causing a lot of stress on their muscles. ...
- Blueberry smoothies. Another sweet and natural way to relax your muscles is by eating blueberries. ...
- Cayenne pepper. ...
- Vitamin D. ...
- Magnesium. ...
- Rest. ...
What can I do to make muscle pain go away?
Use heat.
- After the appropriate amount of time has passed, apply heat to the injury three for 15 minutes, three to four times a day.
- You can use a heating pad, a heated wrap, a hot compress, or a hot water bottle. You can also soak in a hot bath.
- Heat is better at helping chronic muscle pain or pain associated with arthritis.
What is the best home remedy for muscle cramps?
Muscle cramp
- Treatment. You can usually treat muscle cramps with self-care measures. ...
- Lifestyle and home remedies. Stretch and massage. ...
- Alternative medicine. Some suggest taking vitamin B complex supplements to help manage leg cramps. ...
- Preparing for your appointment. ...
What causes a sudden muscle spasm?
Overexercising, dehydration, and stress are the most common causes. The spasms happen when the muscle suddenly moves involuntarily. Muscle spasms may feel like a slight twitch or a painful cramp, and they can occur in the muscles in any part of the body.
What is the best medicine for muscle spasms?
Common Muscle RelaxantsBaclofen. Muscle tightness and muscle spasms, including those related to spine injuries, may be eased with baclofen. ... Benzodiazepines. In addition to treating anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, benzodiazepines can also treat muscle spasms and skeletal pain.
How long does it take for muscle spasms to go away?
A back spasm can occur after any type of strain or injury to the soft tissues (muscles, tendons or ligaments) in the spine. This type of soft tissue injury typically heals enough within a week or two for the muscle spasms to stop.
How do I relax my muscles?
Rest. Perhaps the best and most natural way to relax your muscles is to rest. Make sure to get lots of sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and try not to overwork the affected muscle. Using heat pads or ice packs on the muscle can provide immediate relief.
What are 5 common causes of muscle cramps?
What causes muscle cramps?Straining or overusing a muscle. ... Compression of your nerves, from problems such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back.Dehydration.Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, or calcium.Not enough blood getting to your muscles.Pregnancy.Certain medicines.More items...•
What foods stop muscle spasms?
12 Foods That May Help with Muscle CrampsAvocado. Avocados are creamy, delicious fruits that are packed with nutrients that may help prevent muscle cramps. ... Watermelon. One possible cause of muscle cramps is dehydration. ... Coconut water. ... Sweet potato. ... Greek yogurt. ... Bone broth. ... Papaya. ... Beet greens.More items...•
Is heat good for muscle spasms?
Heat Therapy That is because heat stimulates blood flow and increases the elasticity of the connective tissues in your joints. Additionally, heat can stop a muscle spasm and relax muscles that feel too tight.
Is massage good for back spasms?
Massage therapy increases blood flow to soft tissues in the body, so it can heal and reduce pain. Relieve muscle tension – Massage therapy takes tension and tightness out of muscles. It helps reduce muscle spasms, inflammation, aches, and stiffness.
How to prevent muscle spasms?
However, there are some reported methods that might be helpful when it comes to overcoming those risk factors and preventing the muscle spasms: Perform flexibility exercises on a regular basis. Work towards better overall fitness. Stretch your muscles regularly . Do this especially for those most prone to muscle spasms.
What is muscle spasm?
Muscle spasms (muscle cramps) are painful contractions and tightening of your muscles. They’re common, involuntary and unpredictable. Although there are steps you can take to prevent a muscle spasm and treat it when it attacks, those methods are not always reliable. Muscle relaxants, stretching and massage are most likely to help.
How to get rid of nocturnal leg cramps?
You and your healthcare provider should come up with a treatment plan together. Have a prevention plan and a plan for what to do when a muscle spasm hits. Do the following every day: Exercise (but not in intense heat). If you get nocturnal leg cramps, do some walking before you go to sleep. Stretch.
What is it called when you can't relax?
Otherwise known as muscle cramps, spasms occur when your muscle involuntary and forcibly contracts uncontrollably and can’t relax. These are very common and can affect any of your muscles. They can involve part or all of a muscle, or several muscles in a group. The most common sites for muscle spasms are the thighs, calves, feet, hands, ...
What is it called when you have a leg cramp at night?
A leg cramp that happens at night when you’re at rest or asleep is called a “nocturnal leg cramp.”.
How to prevent leg cramps from a sprained leg?
Choose water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Avoid exercising in hot weather. Wear shoes that fit you properly. Keep your weight at a healthy range. Experiment with mild exercise right before bed to prevent nocturnal leg cramps. Avoid medications that may cause muscle spasms as a side effect.
How to get rid of muscle spasms in legs?
If it’s in your leg, get up and walk around. Try applying ice or heat (take a warm bath or use a heating pad).
What is a muscle spasm?
A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscle, usually from dehydration, excessive muscle overload, or a depletion of necessary electrolytes.
How to get rid of cramps in the back of your leg?
Stop bending once you feel the stretch in the back of your legs. For a cramp in the thigh, hold on to a stable surface, grab your ankle, and gently pull your foot back towards your rear.
How to stretch a muscle?
When you stretch, you pull the muscle in the opposite direction of the contracted muscle, elongating it. When you stretch, you want to gently lengthen and pull the affected muscle. Don't overextend the muscle. If you start to feel pain, stop. If it feels tight, hold it but don't go any further.
Can you treat muscle spasms at home?
You should be able to treat muscle spasms at home. But, if spasms are too painful, occur frequently, last a long time, or affect additional muscles, you should see your doctor. The spasm might be a sign of an underlying problem that needs treatment. Muscle spasms themselves are not usually a diagnosis.
Can you use a muscle spasm lightly?
Make sure to gently move the muscle during this time to prevent any stiffness. You may use the affected muscle lightly, but stop using it if you feel a cramp or pain coming on.
Can smooth muscle spasms cause diarrhea?
Recognize the symptoms of smooth muscles spasms. Symptoms of these spasms be different depending on the muscles involved. Spasms of the intestines can cause sharp pain and diarrhea. Urinary tract spasms often happen when kidney stones are present, causing severe pain, nausea, and vomiting.
How to relieve muscle spasms?
The spasm occurs abruptly, is painful, and is usually short-lived. It may be relieved by gently stretching the muscle . If muscle spasms are especially painful, if they do not resolve or if they recur, medical care should be accessed to look for other possible underlying causes.
What is a muscle spasm?
A muscle twitch, or fasciculation, is an uncontrolled fine movement of a small segment of a larger muscle that can be seen under the skin .
How long do muscle spasms last?
Smooth muscle cramps may last for a prolonged period of time until the underlying problem that caused the spasm is resolved.
What are some examples of muscle spasms?
Examples include torticollis and blepharospasm.
What is the muscle that moves when it contracts?
Skeletal muscles are anchored to bone, either directly or by a tendon. When the muscle contracts, the associated body part moves. This allows arms to lift, legs to run, and the face to smile. Most of these muscles are under the willful or conscious control of the brain.
What is it called when you get cramps in your neck?
When this occurs associated with heat exposure, the condition is also known as heat cramps. Overuse can also occur with routine daily activities like shoveling snow or mowing or raking grass, causing muscle spasms of the neck, shoulder, and back.
What are the three types of muscles?
Muscles are complex structures that cause movement in the body. There are three types of muscle in the body: Heart muscle pumps blood ( cardiac muscle ). Skeletal muscle moves the external body parts, like the arms and legs, neck, back, trunk, and face. Smooth muscle moves portions of hollow structures inside the body.
What to do if muscle spasms do not improve?
If muscle spasms recur and do not improve with rest, a clinician may be consulted for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Diagnosis is typically made based on the individual’s medical history and the results of their physical exam.
What is muscle spasm?
What are the most important facts to know about muscle spasms? A muscle spasm is the forceful and involuntary contraction of a muscle, usually in the upper or lower extremities. While painful, muscle spasms are generally harmless and can occur as a result of electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, or muscle overuse.
What blood test is used to diagnose muscle spasms?
A creatine phosphokinase (CPK) blood test can be used to detect muscle breakdown. CPK is released as a result of muscle damage, ...
What information is needed to rule out muscle spasms?
Obtaining a full personal and medical history (e.g., occupation, hobbies, history of genetic disorders ) can help the clinician rule out ...
How long does it take for a muscle spasm to subside?
Spasms are involuntary and may take time (i.e., seconds to minutes) to subside. Afterwards, the muscle may feel sore and tender.
What to take for muscle cramps?
If the pain persists, individuals may consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen. If the muscle cramps cause severe and recurring discomfort that does not improve with rest, a clinician may be consulted to rule out any underlying causes.
What causes muscle cramps in the arms and legs?
Arteriosclerosis, a condition that causes narrowing of the arteries, is one example. In an individual with arteriosclerosis, blood flow to the extremities (e.g., the arms and legs) can be compromised, leading to oxygen and nutrient deprivation that may cause muscle cramps. Nerve compression in the lumbar spinal cord, ...
How to release muscle spasms?
Other ways to release the muscle, according to Fishman, include hot baths, gentle massage, and hot packs.
What to do for a spasm in back?
Stretching for a Back Muscle Spasm. Ultimately, the best thing you can do for a back muscle spasm is stretch , says Dr. Loren Fishmen, a physical medicine, and rehabilitation specialist in New York. (Fishman is also a yoga instructor.)
Why is my back so tense?
Muscle spasms, often the result of injury, can make for a very tense back. Spasms can occur in any of the body's muscles, including, of course, the trunk, hips and/or core—those areas where good muscle control and flexibility really matter to the health of your spine. Shih Wei Wang / EyeEm / Getty Images.
Is back muscle spasm serious?
Though generally not serious , back muscle spasms often baffle doctors and family members, he says. This is because even though they likely produce little movement or support, muscles in spasm are hard at work; as such, they require oxygen and nutrient delivery as well as waste disposal. 2 .
How to prevent muscle spasms?
People with obesity have a higher tendency to experience muscle contractions than their friends who are more in shape. Healthy eating habits, exercising, and other activities that help to keep weight gain in check are very helpful in avoiding the onset and symptoms of spasms.
What are some good remedies for muscle spasms?
Golden Raisins. Golden raisins contain chondroitin and glucosamine which are both rich in sulfides. Over time, sulfides have been used for pain relief purposes which then supports its use as a spasms remedy. Eat a handful of golden raisins to treat muscle spasm symptoms.
What are some examples of muscle spasms?
Examples of Muscle Spasms. Typical examples of spasms often experienced include lower back pain, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps. However, the charley horse is known to be the most frequent and severe kind of muscle spasms. This condition has the tendency to induce acute calf muscle cramps which can wake you out of sleep.
What is the best supplement for muscle spasms?
Celery. This plant has been tested and confirmed to contain anti-inflammatory elements which make it an appropriate choice of home remedy for spasms. Celery is rich in potassium, and since the lack of potassium complicates spasms, celery is deemed an essential dietary supplement. Eat celery whenever your muscle spasms act up.
What is the best vitamin for sore joints?
Vitamin C. Vitamin C has two significant medical benefits: it cleanses the body of free radicals and it also increases the secretion of collagen in the body. These two advantages of Vitamin C will consequently also lead to the soothing of your sore joints.
How to prevent spasms in joints?
These simple, healthy routines include: jogging short distances, taking a short walk to your immediate environment or open fields. Regular physical activities will help keep your body in shape, improve your health and prevent frequent dysfunction. Less stress will be felt in your joints and pains will be actually reduced.
Can you get muscle spasms from aging?
However, it is noteworthy that just about anyone can experience muscle spasms not just those that are aging and losing muscle mass. People who are prone to frequent muscle cramps include anyone with chronic inflammation or poor circulation.
How to get rid of muscle cramps?
Most cramps will go away on their own within a minutes. Massaging or gently stretching the muscle will help it relax. Heat is soothing to tense muscles. Apply a heating pad or warm wet washcloth to help loosen up the muscle.
What is it called when you have a muscle spasm in your leg?
A sudden, painful muscle spasm in the leg is called a charley horse, which legend has it is named after baseball player Charlie "Hoss" Radbourn, who reportedly suffered from frequent cramps back in the 1880s. Sometimes there is no obvious cause for a cramp.
How to get rid of leg cramps after workout?
After each workout, stretch out your leg muscles for a few minutes. Do another set of stretches before bed if you tend to get cramps while you sleep. For more information on muscle cramps, check out " Healing Leg Pain " a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Image: photocheaper/Getty Images.
What is a cramp in the leg called?
They can be mild, or intense enough to wake you out of a sound sleep. A sudden, painful muscle spasm in the leg is called a charley horse, which legend has it is named ...
How to avoid leg cramps?
To avoid leg cramps in the future, drink plenty of fluids before and during exercise. Muscles need fluid to contract and relax properly. Prevent tightness by warming up your leg muscles before you work out with some walking in place or a slow jog. After each workout, stretch out your leg muscles for a few minutes.
Why do older muscles tire more easily?
Older muscles tire more easily, and they become increasingly sensitive to lower fluid volumes in the body. Cramps can also be a side effect of medicines like statins, which are used to treat high cholesterol.
What are the symptoms of muscle cramps?
Symptoms of muscle cramps. They can include: Sudden pain and tightness in a muscle, typically in your calf. A temporary hard lump or twitching under the skin.
