A muscle spasm – also termed a charley horse, muscle cramp or twitch is a sudden, involuntary change in one or more muscles. Stress, strenuous workout, or dehydration are the common causes; however, nerve problems and thyroid disorders are known to up the risk. These movements can develop in any muscle of the body but mostly affect the calf muscle. It is very common and not a cause for concern.
Causes
Muscle spasms are quite common and can develop in any region of the body, but they mostly tend to affect the :
- Feet
- Hands
- Arms
- Thighs
- Abdomen
- Intercostal muscles, (around the rib cage)
Muscle pain, extreme fatigue, and overdoing are the most common causes. Stress or anxiety can also lead to muscle twitches and trapped nerves can lead to spasms.
Athletes who either do not warm up before a workout or exercise in a very hot climate may also experience muscle spasms.
Also Read: Muscle Weakness: Know About the Underlying Causes And Treatment Options
A few people are more vulnerable than others to muscle spasms that include:
- Elderly people
- Athletes
- Overweight or obese people
- Pregnant women
In a few cases, muscle spasms can be a sign of an underlying neurological condition that affects the brain.
Symptoms
While not all muscle spasms are necessarily painful, certain spasms can result in severe discomfort, creating a sensation akin to the muscle exhibiting independent movement. These episodes typically endure for a brief duration, typically just a few seconds. And some people may not even be able to recognise muscle twitching.
At times, it can feel as though the entire muscle has cramped up and cannot move, this mostly happens in the legs and can be very painful. The muscle may feel hard to touch. And cramping sensation tends to settle within some time, or the muscle can continue to hurt for a while afterwards.
A person with muscle spasms associated with a neurological medical condition may experience symptoms which include:
- Pain in the back, neck, or head
- Muscles weakness
- Skin numbness
- Pins-and-needles sensation
- Tremor
- Paralysis
- Poor coordination
- Reduced movements
- Double vision
- Poor sleep pattern
Also Read: 5 Amazing Foods To Cure Muscle Cramps-Infographic
Treatment
Muscle spasms generally settle on their own. But sometimes it may take a few seconds or several minutes for them to stop, but they do not need any treatment. Drinking an adequate amount of water can help manage muscle spasms related to dehydration. However, if the pain continues then you may consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Following some of these effective measures recommended by the American Osteopathic Association may help to ease the symptoms:
- Avoid any kind of activities that lead to the cramp
- Massage the cramping area gently
- Use a heating pad to relax muscles
- Apply an ice pack to soothe sore muscles
To ease pain in the calf muscle, the person can try putting their weight on the affected leg and bend their knee slightly. Doing this will assist to stretch the affected muscle.
If quadriceps are affected -the person can try holding the foot of the affected leg behind them and gently pulling it up toward the back keeping knees together.
For neurological conditions causing muscle spasms doctors may suggest an antispasmodic medication.
Prevention
Staying well-hydrated and stretching the muscles before any exercise regimen or continuous movements can greatly help avert muscle spasms.
A few people may experience muscle cramps in the legs at nighttime. Remember to stretch the limbs before bedtime to avert this from developing.
When To Seek Medical Help?
Muscle spasms, twitches and cramps are not generally a cause for concern. They are normal, mainly in sportspersons and other people who work out regularly.
In very rare cases, they can be a sign of an underlying medical condition like multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease or liver cirrhosis. It may also suggest any issues with
- Poor nutrition
- Improper circulation
- Metabolism
- Nerves disorders
- Hormone imbalance
Individuals who experience severe or painful muscle spasm should consult their physician.
