10/02/2024
After a long hiatus, it's time for me to reenter the world of massage and education. Part of my healing since returning from CA entails getting back to my passion for healing others and sharing my knowledge & expertise to help people live fully functional, healthier lives. With that being said, let's bring it back by talking about... muscle spasms.
This topic of discussion is inspired by a dear friend's recent FB post about her experience with muscle spasms. What are they? What are causes? How to treat them? Let's dive in!
π WHAT ARE MUSCLE SPASMS? π
The definition frequently used by clinicians is that muscle spasm (aka cramps or charley horses) is a strong involuntary muscle contraction caused by hyperactive motor neurons. (That's about as sciency as I'll get right now π) Often times, 'spasm' is an umbrella term used to describe a multitude of things. Spasms can be brought on by:
β Medication
β Dehydration
β Electrolyte deficiency
β Uncomfortable positioning
β Overexertion during physical activity
β Fatigue during physical activity
β Inadequate stretching
β Exercising in intense heat
β Nerve compression
β΄οΈ SPASM? WHAT TO DO β΄οΈ
During a muscle spasm, it's important to take certain steps to alleviate discomfort and promote relaxation of the affected muscle. Here's what you can do during a muscle spasm:
β΄οΈ Stop activity. Halt whatever activity you are doing during which spasm occurred.
β΄οΈ Stretch gently. Slow and gentle stretching of the affected muscles can help release the contracted muscle. Avoid any sudden or forceful movements that could exacerbate the spasm.
β΄οΈ Apply heat or cold: Applying heat (such as a warm towel or heating pad) or cold (such as an ice pack) can assistant relieving any muscle tension or pain.
β΄οΈ Massage: Lightly massaging the muscle in the direction of the muscle fibers can promote relaxation and improve blood flow to the area.
β΄οΈ Hydrate and hydrate done more, and replenish electrolytes. Drinking water and electrolyte-rich fluids or foods (like bananas for potassium) can help prevent further spasms, especially if dehydration or electrolyte imbalance is a contributing factor.
πββοΈ MASSAGE & MUSCLE SPASMS πββοΈ
Muscle spasms tend to occur when some sort of nerve signals the muscle to contract involuntarily and painfully (seems cruel, doesn't it?). Due to the fact that it is a nerve signal, it's highly unlikely that applying direct massage pressure to the muscle will relieve the spasm. However, due to the fact that it's a nerve that's signaling the muscle to contract in such a way, let's look at how massage benefits the nervous system.
πββοΈ Helps to reduce stress and anxiety, improving mood & relaxation.
πββοΈ Increases circulation and promotes healing, reducing inflammation and improving overall health.
πββοΈ Helps improve quality of sleep, reducing fatigue, therefore improving energy levels.
πββοΈ Help reduce tension, as well as improve range of motion & flexibility.
πββοΈ Help to improve focus reduce mental fatigue.
πββοΈ Help improve balance & coordination, and reduce the risk of injuries
NOTE: If muscle spasms occur frequently, are severe, or are associated with other concerning symptoms, it's essential to seek medical evaluation to identify underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment.