CONDITIONS

Spasm

A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of part of or the whole of the muscle. This can often be quite painful. Muscle spasms can last from several seconds to continuous spasms as a protective mechanism or medical condition. Some of the types of muscle spasms can include skeletal muscle spasms, angina and seizures.

Muscle spasms range in intensity from mild twitches to severe pain. The spastic muscle may feel harder than normal to the touch, and/or appear visibly distorted. It may show visible signs of twitching. Spasms may typically last from seconds to 15 minutes or longer, and may recur multiple times before going away.

Causes

There are many different reasons for an individual to develop muscle spasms. Dependent upon the cause will depend upon the type of cramp experienced. Some of the causes can be:

• Dehydration
• Muscle overuse / strain
• Protective mechanism (broken bones)
• Low blood calcium or magnesium
• Exercising in heated temperatures.
• Electrolyte depletion
• Neurological condition

Muscle spasms are very common. They can happen in any part of the body, but they tend to affect the:

• feet
• hands
• arms
• thighs
• abdomen
• intercostal muscles, which are around the rib cage

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.

Athletes who either do not warm up before they exercise or exercise in very hot conditions may also experience muscle spasms. Charley horse, for example, is a term that people often use to describe spasms in runners’ calf muscles. Drinking insufficient water before exercise can also cause muscle spasms.

Some people are more vulnerable than others to muscle spasms. Those who are most at risk are:

• older adults
• athletes
• people with overweight or obesity
• pregnant women

People who have certain health conditions, such as nerve disorders or thyroid-related problems, also tend to experience a higher-than-average frequency of muscle spasms.

Muscle spasms are not usually anything to worry about, but in some cases, they can be a sign of an underlying neurological health condition. Neurological health conditions affect the brain, which is responsible for making the muscles move.

Symptoms

Not all muscle spasms are painful, but some can cause pain. It can feel as though the muscle is jumping or moving on its own, with this feeling typically lasting just a few seconds. Some people might even be able to see the muscle twitching.

Sometimes, it can feel as though the whole muscle has cramped up and cannot move. This effect most commonly happens in the legs, and it can be quite painful. The muscle may feel hard to the touch. While the cramping sensation tends to pass within several minutes or so, the muscle may continue to hurt for some time afterward.

If a muscle spasm is part of a neurological health condition, the person will usually experience other symptoms. These might include:

• pain in the back, neck, or head
• weakness in the muscles
• skin numbness
• a pins-and-needles sensation
• a tremor
• paralysis
• poor coordination
• slow movements
• double vision
• sleep problems

Prevention

Drinking plenty of water and stretching the muscles before any exercise or repetitive movements can help prevent muscle spasms.

Some people experience muscle cramps in the legs during the night. Stretching the limbs before bed can help prevent this from occurring.