Back and Neck Spasms Treatment - An Introduction!

There are a range of involuntary muscle contractions of the back and neck regions which come under of the heading of back and neck spasms. Though back and neck spasms may have different causes, they usually go hand in hand with each other. It is due to the proximity of the two regions. That means that when there is back spasms, there can sometimes be neck spasms too - and vise versa. In general, a spasm is the sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles. This usually causes severe pain but then disappears after a short period.

Back and neck spasms occur with a lot of different types of people. Even though a person is not the "athletic type", neck and back muscles are still being constantly used in typical daily activities. This is because of the constant repetition of certain activities or else doing no activities at all. In some cases, back and neck spasms can be very disabling and therefore can cause people to have a lot of problems with their quality of life

Causes Of Back And Neck Spasms

There are a lot of possible causes that may lead to neck spasms. The most common are straining, anxiety, spasmodic torticolis, tension, stress, tetanus, and trauma. Neck spasms also occur due to various nutritional deficiencies. Deficiency in both Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D can cause spasms since both are essential for proper muscle function. They are also triggered by other deficiencies, like magnesium, sodium, and potassium. In addition, neck spasms are also common among people whose jobs require an extended time in front of the computer.

On the other hand, they may result mainly from poor posture. It is the body's natural response to strain on the back's tissues and ligaments. Back spasms are usually characterized by excruciating pain that, at same time feel like having a "knot" or a "lock" at the back. It is also usually accompanied by fear. Though this condition could occur as a result of sports injuries and herniated discs, it is mainly postural since majority of known back spasms are caused by sedentary living and muscle disuse. Other known causes include sneezing or coughing, weight bearing, and dehydration.

The best way of treating these issues are with medications and natural remedies. Medications commonly prescribed are antispasmodics like mebeverine, dicyclomine, and hyoscyamine. Home remedies include proper stretching, massage, cold compress, and warm to hot showers. Aside from the traditional remedies, magnetic therapy is fast becoming one of the most promising alternative treatments for neck spasms. Magnetic therapy works by preventing lactic acid buildup and improving blood circulation.

Treating back spasms is almost identical to treating neck spasms. Ice therapy is recommended to prevent swelling for the first 3 days, then followed up by heat therapy to relieve pain. Short term pain relief can also be achieved through the administration of non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Also, standing with the chest out and stomach tucked in is an effective way to maintain proper posture. It also helps to avoid looking down while reading. Instead, it is better to hold a book at eye level. This also helps in exercising other muscles aside from the back.

With the help of both proper posture and regulated muscle use, back and neck spasms will definitely decrease its occurrence frequency.

Tim Tavender is a writer with ten years experience running his own health businesses. He has written for National Newspapers, Magazines and has been the BBC Radio Fitness Expert in the South of England.  He recommends for The New Knowledge for Neck and Back Spasm Treatment, a leading global Healing Website.