And how does chiropractic care help you?

You reach for an item on the top shelf of the pantry and your back wrenches in pain as a muscle goes into spasm. The pain is excruciating and you can barely move. How could something as simple as reaching for a packet of rice produce such pain?

The answer is – it didn't.

Reaching simply overextended a muscle that was already strained. This made the muscle stiffen and go into spasm to protect it from any further harm. Muscles can become strained due to repetitive movements or habits such as poor posture, heavy lifting, swinging a golf club or sitting in front of a computer.

Often, when muscles have been strained for some time, all it takes is one sudden movement like reaching for something for an already strained muscle to go into spasm.

When this happens, all the muscle fibres contract at the same time. Muscle contraction cuts off blood supply, which creates even more muscle pain, causing the muscle to contract even further. This results in an extremely painful state where even the slightest movement is unbearable.

BACK SPASMS CRAMPING YOUR STYLE?

Your back works hard for you. The better you take care of it, the lower your risk for developing back spasms will become.

Losing a few kilos if you're overweight will help relieve the stress on your spine and your joints. Standing up straight and wearing supportive shoes will help provide stability and strength in your lower back.

Spending too much time in bed or in a seat can lead to worsening back problems. Regular physical activity like strengthening exercises for your back and abdomen will also help keep you moving and feeling great.

HOW TO KEEP MUSCLE SPASMS FROM OCCURRING

Muscle spasms can be a real pain, both literally and figuratively.

These sudden, involuntary contractions can make even the simplest of tasks unbearable. However, there are ways to prevent and manage muscle spasms at home.

It's important to remember that it can take several weeks for a muscle spasm to fully subside, so finding ways to alleviate the discomfort in the meantime is crucial.

There are various at-home solutions that can help with the healing process and prevent future spasms from occurring. 

Try the following to help the healing process:

Rest: This means taking it easy and ensuring you don't further load your muscles. However this does not mean lying in bed for three days! Prolonged inactivity will stiffen your muscles and likely lead to more pain.

Apply ice/heat: Applying a heating pad to the affected area may bring some relief. Some people find heat is best, some prefer ice, and others find it most helpful to alternate between the two.

Hydrate: Spasms of skeletal muscles are thought to sometimes be due to dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Increasing your intake of water as well as magnesium and calcium may help as well.

Walk: Balance out your rest periods by trying to get up and move as much as possible. Try having several short walks around the house, followed by a day with a longer walk every hour or so. In general, walking is gentle on your back and promotes blood flow, which in turn helps speed up the healing process. Just avoid the hills for now!

Seek Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic care helps to alleviate the cause of muscle spasm once it is present as well as helping to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Proper nerve function is essential to proper muscle function and a chiropractic adjustment ensures your muscles are receiving clear messages so they can work correctly. 

CHIROPRACTIC CARE IS HERE TO HELP!

Chiropractic care can help muscle spasms by addressing the underlying cause of the issue.

Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle and can be caused by a variety of factors such as muscle strain, tightness, inflammation, or even nerve irritation. When you experience muscle spasms, it can be not only painful but also disruptive to your overall health and well-being. However, a chiropractor can help reduce the frequency and intensity of muscle spasms through a variety of treatment methods.

Chiropractic treatment for muscle spasms often includes adjustments to the spine and joints to help improve alignment and relieve pressure on affected muscles.

Additionally, a chiropractor may also use massage therapy to help relax the affected muscle and reduce pain and inflammation. This combination of spinal adjustments and muscle therapies can help prevent involuntary muscle contractions and provide relief for those suffering from muscle spasms.

Treatment for muscle spasms may also include developing a personalised treatment plan that incorporates regular chiropractic care to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the muscle spasms. By addressing these issues, a chiropractor can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing muscle spasms in the future and promote overall muscle health.

VISIT US

Your local chiropractor is here to help!

If you’ve been experiencing muscle spasms and want to break the cycle, consider visiting us, Centenary Chiropractic Centre, your local chiropractor for Camira and surrounding areas. Give us a call on 07 3381 0440 or book online here: www.centenarychiro.com.au