Ouch! Lower Back Spasms – Causes and Treatments

Back spasms happen for all kinds of reasons, and people of all ages can experience them in varying degrees. For some, back spasms are a mildly painful event that happens from time to time, but for others, back spasms can become a chronic source of extreme pain leaving you breathless and unable to walk and function. If you believe you are experiencing lower back spasms of your own, it’s time to read up on possible solutions.

What Is a Back Spasm?

A back spasm occurs when the muscles in your back suddenly contract unintentionally. This causes your back to stiffen, and it applies pressure to your entire spinal column, which can cause significant pain. These spasms may last a few seconds or go on for several minutes until the tension is released.

Why Do Back Spasms Happen?

There are many reasons that back spasms occur. For instance, lifting heavy objects during a move can cause muscle and tendon strain that results in back spasms for a few days. On the other hand, repetitive stress injuries to the back could lead to ongoing problems due to permanent damage to the muscles, tendons, and disks. Once this damage has occurred, back spasms might increase in frequency and intensity until they become a serious problem.

Treating Back Spasms

For those who experience only mild back spasms, most treatment options do not involve surgery. For instance, strengthening the muscles of the back and abdomen will protect you against further stress injuries the next time you lift or move heavy objects. Resting for only a few days, applying ice packs or heating pads to the injured area could also help in such mild cases.  In addition, your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory drug, or a cortisone injections, which will reduce pressure and swelling in the area, giving your back time to heal. This might be all you need to alleviate future back spasms altogether.  Finally, in extreme cases, surgery may be necessary to address an underlying structural cause, such as a pinched nerve or a herniated disc, when all other conservative measures have failed.

If you are experiencing worsening back spasms and lower back pain, we invite you to contact the team at Royal Spine Surgery today. Dr. Abdulhamid and his team can help diagnose the source of your back spasms and begin treatment to prevent any further injuries from worsening the problem. Don’t wait until your back spasms have become unbearable to get the treatment you need. The sooner your back spasms are addressed, the less invasive the treatment will be.