Which back muscles spasm

Having incontinence with back pain can be a symptom of:. You can get a pins and needles sensation if you sit too long with your feet tucked under your body. The feeling can also be a symptom of sciatica. But if you feel numbness in your groin or buttock area, you may have a serious spinal condition. Weakness that comes on suddenly is cause for concern. If it happens with back pain, it may be a symptom of a serious spine condition affecting the nerves.

Pain that travels down the body into your legs can also be a sign of severe nerve compression. If you describe your back pain as sharp, it might not even be back pain. Sharp pain in this area may be a symptom of a muscle injury. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve in your spine becomes irritated and causes pain. Because this extra-long nerve extends down your legs, it can cause pain anywhere from the lower back to the toes. Pain can be mild or severe.

A herniated disc, for example, can cause sciatic nerve compression or inflammation. Other conditions that may cause sciatica include:. To diagnose what may be causing painful back spasms, healthcare providers will take your medical history. They'll also ask you to describe the pain and any other symptoms you're having.

A healthcare provider may ask you to perform movements to assess imbalances or weakness. They may also perform imaging tests, such as:.

Treating back spasms involves treating the underlying cause. Treatment can also vary depending on whether the pain is chronic or acute.

Treating acute back pain may involve:. Rest might help if you have a sudden, painful back spasm. Non-invasive treatments for chronic back pain include:. Some people also find relief with alternative therapies such as acupuncture. Surgery is an option, but it's often the last resort. There's no guarantee that surgery will help resolve symptoms. Healthcare providers often treat back pain using a combination of therapies.

Combining different treatments such as physical therapy and steroid injections may provide better results. Some strategies that may help you cope and recover from back pain include:. A chiropractor may be able to help you with your back spasms and pain. You deserve to have relief from pain. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Main Line Health. Back spasms. Cedars Sinai. Lumbar strain. Facet joint syndrome: from diagnosis to interventional management. Insights Imaging. Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Degenerative disc disease. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. It is important to seek medical attention to treat the underlying cause of your symptoms, rather than just treating the symptoms. When your back goes into spasm, the initial treatment goal is to get the muscle to relax and thus relieve the pain.

Some effective treatments include:. A painful back muscle spasm can make it difficult to perform daily activities or even move. Pushing through the pain may lead to further injury and delay recovery. Rather than trying to push through the pain, give it a rest.

For example, stay home for the day and take it easy. Just remember to move as tolerated, such as by going for short walks. Prolonged inactivity can stiffen your muscles and lead to more pain. In general, walking is gentle on your back and promotes blood flow, which in turn helps speed the healing process. However, in some cases uneven ground or walking down or uphill can exacerbate an underlying reason for the muscle spasms.

If that occurs, pay close attention to what aspect aggravates the symptoms and try to avoid it if possible. Applying ice wrapped in a protective sheath or towel, or a cold pack, to the painful part of your back is another way to help relieve an acute flare up of pain. As a general guideline, cold therapy will help reduce local inflammation, which in turn contributes to relieving pain.

You can use a commercial ice pack or make one yourself. Disc disorders. Neurological conditions. Overuse and fatigue of the muscle - often due to poor posture. A protective response from the body. Symptoms of Back Pain Muscle Spasms. The way people describe their muscle spasms are varied and many, but the most common consistent symptoms of muscle spasms related to back and neck pain are: Severe pain. Tension and tightness in the muscle.

Forward leaning posture. Inability to move the affected part of the back or neck. Treatment of Back Pain Muscle Spasms. Your doctor or physiotherapist will guide you in that direction for investigation if they are concerned. However, simple home treatment of muscle spasm that I advise daily is: Get into a position of ease. Use heat on the muscle in spasm. Take muscle relaxing medication at the early stages if severe. Identify the cause and remove it where possible. Seek advice if it occurred for no known reason, if it last longer than minutes or re-occurs.

Exercises for Back Muscle Spasms. Please read the full disclaimer here. Cookies and Privacy By using this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.