Back Spasms
What Are Back Spasms?
Back spasms happen when muscles tighten involuntarily and can’t relax. They most often affect skeletal muscles and can cause sharp, intense pain that demands immediate attention. Anyone who has experienced back spasms knows they are impossible to ignore, often bringing acute awareness to the present moment. In fact, back spasms are your body “screaming” for attention, and we are wise to heed that call.
These spasms may result from a muscle tear or spinal joint injury. In such cases, recovery can take longer. When an injury occurs, the body takes steps to protect the injured area, and spasms can result.
If severe, your entire posture can be affected. It may be difficult to stand up straight or take a deep breath without experiencing severe pain.
What Causes Back Spasms?
- Direct trauma
- Sudden, awkward movements or falls
- Improper lifting of heavy objects
- Muscle overuse, fatigue, or overstretching
- Working in cramped spaces requiring prolonged bending or twisting
- Sports injuries (e.g., golf, football)
- Ruptured, bulging, or herniated discs
- Spinal facet joint sprains
- Early stages of spinal osteoarthritis
- Emotional stress or major life changes
- Poor posture
- Weak back extensor muscles
- Weak core abdominal muscles
- Muscle imbalances
- Lack of regular exercise
- Overexertion or improper training
- Inappropriate types of exercise
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
If you are experiencing painful back spasms , it’s important to consult to have your spine examined, since damage may be left behind, even once the pain subsides.
How Does a Back Spasm Develop?
Back spasm often occurs suddenly, especially in the lower back. About 80% of adults experience them at some point.
Back spasm can be so painful that people often go to the emergency room for relief. They can be extremely painful, sometimes sending people to the ER.
Common symptoms include:
- Antalgic postures (bent forward or to the side)
- Difficulty rising from sitting or lying down
- Visible signs of pain and tension
- Fear of being touched due to sharp pain*
Muscles instinctively react when they or surrounding tissues are injured. Back spasms are aggravated by inflammatory agents that irritate nearby nerves. People are usually hesitant to be touched due to fear of triggering sharp, shooting pain.
Part of the stress is the anticipatory fear that severe pain may occur again at any moment. Another aspect of stress and frustration is when the back spasm seems to occur randomly, for no reason at all or following as simple a movement, such as bending forward to pick something up from the floor.
Spasms may seem random but are often preceded by ignored warning signs like minor strain.
Emotional stress or major life changes can also be contributing factors.
What Happens to the Muscles During a Back Spasm?
The affected muscle may feel hard or twitch visibly. Spasms can last seconds to weeks and may come and go. Patients often express extreme apprehension about being touched in the affected area.
A back spasm is a protective response to injury in spinal tissues or muscles. The body attempts to immobilize the area to prevent further damage. Inflammation develops and can perpetuate the spasm cycle.
Pain tends to ease gradually, leaving muscles sore and tender.
When to Seek Help for a Back Spasm?
If your back spasm does not improve within two weeks of self-care, it’s time to get some help.
Seek urgent care if your back pain includes:
- Fever or chills
- Painful or burning urination
- Sudden leg weakness, numbness, or tingling
- Numbness in the groin or rectum
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
What Treatments do you offer at My Toronto Chiropractor in Toronto?
We offer effective, drug-free treatments to relieve back spasms. Some of these are:
- Massage and trigger point therapy
- Progressive muscular facilitation
- Chiropractic manual manipulation
- Pulstar computerized spinal mobilizations
- Physical therapy modalities such as Ultrasound and Interferential Current
- Lifestyle modification suggestions
- Education about exercises and postures to avoid and therapeutic stretches
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