what is best treatment for muscle spasms

What is the best natural remedy for muscle spasms?

There are several things you can take by mouth that may help with your muscle spasms:

• NSAIDs. Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) often bring relief by reducing inflammation and pain.
• Pickle juice. Drinking a small amount of pickle juice reportedly relieves cramping muscles within 30 to 35 seconds. ...
• Supplements. ...
• Natural muscle relaxers. ...

What is the best pain reliever for muscle spasms?

These medications include:

• Cyclobenzaprine ( Flexeril)
• Tizanidine ( Zanaflex)
• Baclofen ( Lioresal)
• Carisoprodol ( Soma)

Is there an over the counter treatment for muscle spasm?

The 7 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers

1. Chamomile. It contains 36 flavonoids, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. ...
2. Cherry juice. People who sign up for marathons train vigorously, often causing a lot of stress on their muscles. ...
3. Blueberry smoothies. Another sweet and natural way to relax your muscles is by eating blueberries. ...
4. Cayenne pepper. ...
5. Vitamin D. ...
6. Magnesium. ...
7. Rest. ...

What drugs help muscle spasms?

What the Science Says About Chiropractic for Muscle Spasms

• Chiropractic Better Than Muscle Relaxants. This first study details a randomized clinical trial comparing chiropractic spinal manipulation to muscle relaxants for those with low back pain.
• Reducing Muscle Activity with Chiropractic Care. ...
• Muscle Spasms Because of Injury. ...

What is the best medicine for muscle spasms?

Diazepam: Diazepam (Valium) is used to relieve muscle spasms caused by inflammation, trauma, or muscle spasticity. It works by increasing the activity of a certain neurotransmitter to decrease the occurrence of muscle spasms.

What is a quick relief for muscle spasms?

Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles. Taking a warm bath or directing the stream of a hot shower onto the cramped muscle also can help. Alternatively, massaging the cramped muscle with ice may relieve pain.

What is the main cause of muscle spasms?

Muscle pain, fatigue, and overuse are the most common causes of muscle spasms. Other causes include stress or anxiety, which can lead to muscle twitches in the face. Trapped nerves can result in spasms in the back.

What do doctors do for muscle spasms?

Warm compresses and rest are also effective treatment options. For muscle spasms caused by other underlying conditions, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, or Botox. Botox injections can be helpful to block overactive nerve signals that set off muscle spasms.

How do you relax muscle spasms naturally?

Here are some things to try:Stretching. Stretching the area that has the muscle spasm can usually help improve or stop the spasm from occurring. ... Massage. ... Ice or heat. ... Hydration. ... Mild exercise. ... Nonprescription remedies. ... Topical creams that are anti-inflammatory and pain relieving. ... Hyperventilation.More items...•

What is a good over the counter muscle relaxer?

Ibuprofen. One of the best over the counter muscle relaxers off-label is Ibuprofen, which has a wide range of uses. Widely circulated brands are Advil and Motrin. Naproxen.

Should I be worried about muscle spasms?

A twitching muscle can be annoying, to be sure, but, fortunately, it's rarely serious. "Some people are just more prone to experiencing fasciculations," says Dr. Ondo. "If you've had them for many years and haven't noticed any other changes in your muscle, there's likely nothing to be concerned about."

What is the difference between a cramp and spasm?

Muscle cramp denotes an episodic, involuntary, painful contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasm is a more encompassing term referring to any involuntary muscle contraction.

What neurological causes muscle spasms?

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that results in unwanted muscle contractions or spasms. The involuntary twisting, repetitive motions, or abnormal postures associated with dystonia can affect anyone at any age.

Does deep heat help muscle spasms?

Deep heat is a treatment for injury and pain. The heat relaxes the muscles and blood vessels, which helps treat muscle spasms and brings more blood to the treated area. It can help your body heal and may lessen 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 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.

What is it called when you have muscle spasms?

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, arms and abdomen. When occurring in the calves, especially, such cramps are known as “charley horses.” A leg cramp that happens at night when you’re at rest or asleep is called a “nocturnal leg cramp.”

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 long does a muscle spasm last?

It may twitch. Spasms typically last from seconds to 15 minutes or longer , and may recur multiple times before going away.

How do you know if you have leg cramps?

Swelling or numbness in the leg. Changes in the skin of your leg. Waking up over and over again with leg cramps. If your leg cramps are stopping you from getting enough sleep.

How to treat muscle cramps?

You can usually treat muscle cramps with self-care measures. Your doctor can show you stretching exercises that can help you reduce your chances of getting muscle cramps. Making sure you stay well-hydrated also can help. For recurrent cramps that disturb your sleep, your doctor might prescribe a medication to relax your muscles.

How to help a cramped muscle?

Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles. Taking a warm bath or directing the stream of a hot shower onto the cramped muscle also can help . Alternatively, massaging the cramped muscle with ice may relieve pain.

How to get rid of a cramp in the back of your leg?

Try pulling the top of your foot on the affected side toward your head while your leg remains in a straightened position. This will also help ease a back thigh (hamstring) cramp. For a front thigh (quadriceps) cramp, use a chair to steady yourself and try pulling your foot on the affected side up toward your buttock.

How to help a calf cramp?

If you have a cramp, these actions may provide relief: Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to help it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly . If you're unable to stand, sit on the floor or in a chair with your affected leg extended.

What are treatment options for muscle spasms?

If the fluid loss is due to an illness with fever or vomiting and diarrhea, controlling the symptoms will help limit the fluid loss and prevent spasms. Similarly, for those who work or exercise in a hot environment, drinking enough fluid s to keep hydrated is very important. It is often helpful to hydrate prior to activities in warm environments.

What to do if muscle spasms do not resolve?

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 are the different types of muscle?

Muscles are complex structures that cause movement in the body. There are three types of muscle in the body:

What is skeletal muscle?

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. This type of muscle is striated or striped with dark-colored muscle fibers containing large amounts of myoglobin, the protein that helps carry oxygen, and light-colored fibers that have lesser amounts of protein. The contraction of a skeletal muscle requires numerous steps within its fibers and cells. The nutrients required to produce energy, oxygen, electrolytes, and glucose are supplied by the bloodstream.

What is a muscle spasm?

A muscle spasm, or muscle cramp, is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasms occur suddenly, usually resolve quickly, and are often painful.

What are common causes of muscle spasms?

There are a variety of causes of muscle spasms, and each depends upon predisposing factors, the part of the body involved, and the environment that the body is in.

What are risk factors for muscle spasms?

Most people are at risk for developing a muscle spasm at one time in their life, from infant colic to kidney stones. The risks differ depending upon the person's past medical history, their occupation, and level of physical activity. Examples include the following:

What is the best treatment for muscle spasms?

Fishman adds that conventional medicine can offer treatments designed to interrupt the blood vessel constriction—muscle spasm cycle. Examples include ultrasound, an injection of an anesthetic, or a visit to a physical therapist that includes electrical stimulation to fatigue the muscle, thereby enabling it to relax.

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.)

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 .

What to do if you have muscle cramps?

Take a Painkiller. If your muscle cramp continues and requires more than topical home remedies, take a common painkiller like ibuprofen or paracetamol . When to See a Doctor. In most cases, muscle cramps are very brief and don’t require medical attention. However, you may want to speak with your doctor if:

How to get rid of muscle cramps after heat?

Applying cold is another great way to treat muscle cramps. Once the pain subsides a little after heat application, you can grab an ice pack or a bag of ice and put it on the cramping muscle. Remember to wrap the ice in a towel. You can also try massaging the cramp with the ice pack to loosen up the muscle.

How to get rid of cramps after stretching?

After stretching, you should consider massag ing the muscle cramp for relief. Using a roller or simply your hands, gently massage the muscles to loosen them up.

How long does it take for muscle cramps to go away?

Most types of muscle cramps don’t require medical attention and go away in a few seconds or minutes.

What parts of the body are most likely to get muscle cramps?

There are several parts of your body where you’re most likely to get muscle cramps: Older adults, people with nerve disorders, people who are pregnant or menstruating, and people who overuse or strain their muscles are more likely to develop muscle cramps.

How to stretch a calf muscle?

Keep in mind that it’s important to stretch before and after you exercise, as well. You can stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub and massage it to help it relax. If you have a calf cramp or charley horse, stand up and put your weight on the leg with the cramp and gently bend your knee.

Does muscle cramping go away after stretching?

Muscle cramping doesn’t go away after stretching and other home remedies.

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.

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 is the best vitamin for muscle spasms?

Another source of vitamin D is dairy products which should be taken in quantities not exceeding the recommended daily allowance range; these will be quite useful in remedying muscle spasm symptoms.

How to use dandelion leaves for muscle cramps?

Drinking dandelion tea or adding dandelion to your salads are both great ways to use dandelion leaves to improve your muscle cramps.

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.

How to relieve back pain from muscle spasms?

To alleviate the associated pain, ensure that you undergo muscle massaging and gentle stretching, get enough rest and be patient . Muscle spasms are strongly associated with people who often experience severe back and neck pain.

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.