15/06/2023
MUSCLE SPASM||POSSIBLE CAUSES AND PREVENTION
Muscle spasm as far as physiotherapy is concerned is a major topic of concern. Many clients come in everyday with the chief complaint of experiencing muscle spasms, especially in their calf, hamstrings or quads muscle groups.
Most patients always feel unsafe to this development because the condition causes so much discomfort in that short while it will exist yet not a particular reason has been established for its arrival. In this article, we’ll provide you with a detailed explanation to this disturbing condition, revealing most likely potential causes or risk factors of it and then finish with you on how we can prevent spasms.
A muscle spasm, also known as a charley horse, muscle cramp or twitch, is a sudden, involuntary movement or contraction in one or more muscles.
Muscle spasms are very common. They can happen in any part of the body, but they tend to affect the: feet, hands, arms, thighs, abdomen, intercostal muscles, which are around the rib cage.
Not all muscle spasms are painful, but some can cause pain. It can feel as though the muscle is jumping or moving on its own, with this feeling typically lasting just a few seconds. Some people might even be able to see the muscle twitching.
Sometimes, it can feel as though the whole muscle has cramped up and cannot move. This effect most commonly happens in the legs, and it can be quite painful. The muscle may feel hard to the touch. While the cramping sensation tends to pass within several minutes or so, the muscle may continue to hurt for some time afterward.
Common causes include stress, exercise, or dehydration, but nerve disorders and thyroid problems may increase the risk. Improper way of exercise in a particular weather condition can trigger muscle spasm.
Athletes who either do not warm up before they exercise or exercise in very hot conditions may also experience muscle spasms. Charley horse, for example, is a term that people often use to describe spasms in runners’ calf muscles. Drinking insufficient water before exercise can also cause muscle spasms.
Some people are more vulnerable than others to muscle spasms. Those who are most at risk are: older adults, athletes, people with overweight or obesity, pregnant women.People who have certain health conditions, such as nerve disorders or thyroid-related problems, also tend to experience a higher-than-average frequency of muscle spasms.
Muscle spasms are not usually anything to worry about, but in some cases, they can be a sign of an underlying neurological health condition.Neurological health conditions affect the brain, which is responsible for making the muscles move.
If a muscle spasm is part of a neurological health condition, the person will usually experience other symptoms. These might include:
1. Pain in the back, neck, or head
2. Weakness in the muscles
3. Skin numbness
4. A pins-and-needles sensation
5. A tremor
6. Paralysis
7. Poor coordination
8. Slow movements
9. Double vision
10. Sleep problems
PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR MUSCLES SPASMS
Muscle spasms are difficult to prevent. They can be unpredictable. They can happen at any time. There are risk factors you can’t avoid, like your age. However, there are some reported methods that might be helpful when it comes to overcoming those risk factors and preventing the muscle spasms:
•Perform flexibility exercises on a regular basis.
•Work towards better overall fitness.
•Stretch your muscles regularly. Do this especially for those most prone to muscle spasms.
•Drink fluids frequently. Choose water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
•Avoid exercising in hot weather.
•Wear shoes that fit you properly.
•Keep your weight at a healthy range. Experiment with mild exercise right before bed to prevent nocturnal leg cramps.
•Avoid medications that may cause muscle spasms as a side effect.
•To prevent leg cramps, use pillows to keep your toes pointed upwards if you sleep on your back. If you sleep on your chest, hang your feet over the end of the bed.
•Stretch your muscles before you go to sleep. When you sleep, keep the sheets and blankets loose around your legs.
Drinking plenty of water and stretching the muscles before any exercise or repetitive movements can help prevent muscle spasms.
Some people experience muscle cramps in the legs during the night. Stretching the limbs before bed can help prevent this from occurring.
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