Muscle Spasms Prevention

Many people have experienced the painful and involuntary contraction of muscles, also known as muscle spasms. These muscle spasms can occur unexpectedly and anywhere on the body where there is a muscle. It's important to figure out what is causing your muscle spasms and then how to treat and prevent them. Some preventative treatments include prescriptions, dietary improvement or physical therapy.

Causes

• Muscle spasms may be caused from a variety of issues, including extraneous exercise, strained muscles, dehydration or lack of electrolytes, diseases such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis, or damage to nerves or the spinal cord. A muscle spasm occurs when the brain sends signals to the muscle to contract, completely involuntary and unwilled by the body. This contraction could last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes or even hours. The effects and pain of this spasm could also linger for days. A cramp such as a charley horse could be a result of poor nutrition or too much exercise, which depletes a person of essential electrolytes. Vomiting and nausea can also cause a muscle spasm.

Common Muscle Spasms

• The most common muscle spasm is the charley horse, a muscle contracted in the legs. It is extremely difficult to relax this muscle because often times other muscles will tense up in response to this pain, causing the muscle spasm to last even longer. Another common muscle spasm happens in the back region. This could be a sign of a form of arthritis or weak, overworked muscles. Tired muscles put stress on joints and cause inflammation.

Prevention and Treatment

• If you frequently experience charley horses, and mainly in the middle of the night, make sure to stretch your calf and other leg muscles often. Try to sleep on your side with toes pointed, and do not tuck sheets in too tightly. Make sure to get extra calcium through supplements or your diet and wear comfortable, arch-supportive shoes.
  Your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant such as Zanaflex, which treats spasticity by relaxing muscle tone. Many of these prescriptions will also aid in keeping you asleep at night so that nocturnal spasms aren't as disturbing.

  For back spasms, consult your physician about starting an exercise program and integrating core workouts such as pilates. But be sure to work with a trainer to ensure proper technique in order to avoid making spasms more frequent.

  For all types of muscle spasms, an important preventative treatment is eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water when exercising to prevent dehydration. When faced with muscle spasms be sure to relax and breath deep, which may help the muscles to gradually relax as well.