Spinal Myospasm
- Posted on: Mar 1 2015
Over the past 25 plus years, Dr. Jeff J. Mollins has successfully treated thousands upon thousands (maybe more) of patients that have been injured in all kinds of accidents. Whether the accident is due to a slip and fall, automobile accident, construction accident, or any work related injury, Dr. Mollins is an expert in the treatment, diagnosis and documentation of these injuries. Dr. Mollins has committed his life to his patients and their wellness. Interestingly, almost every single injured patient that he has examined and treated has had spinal myospasm. When it comes to myospasm (or muscle spasm) there are certain things you should know.
Myospasm is defined as a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. Back pain sometimes strikes without warning. One minute you are bending over lifting something heavy, the next minute you are unable to move. Sudden onset of muscle spasm in the low back is surprisingly common. In fact, approximately 8 out of 10 adults will experience it at some point during their lives.
Generally speaking, the cause of back spasm can be attributed to injury to the muscles. This 
can be a result of overuse, an accident (trauma), or possibly a sports injury. However, it is very important to understand that muscle spasms can result without muscle injury but as a reflex phenomenon from irritated deeper structures, including torn ligaments, infections, tumors, or chronic disc irritation or herniation. When muscle spasm results from these other factors, it is usually the body’s response to immobilize the injured area and to prevent further pain and damage.
The symptoms of spasms include sudden pain. Back spasms can be excruciatingly painful and cause severe loss in mobility. Some people who experience back spasms can continue what they are doing but after several hours, this is no longer possible. In most cases people experiencing back spasms will be most comfortable lying down with their knees curled in and spine arched.
The treatment of myospasm primarily is first to determine the cause. So a proper diagnosis is the first step. Once a correct diagnosis is determined, the treatments will be more effective and lead to a quicker resolution. Here are some examples of treatment depending on the diagnosis:
1. If the cause of your muscle spasm is a tight joint or muscle then the treatment will involve correction of that stiff/tight part through mobilization and exercise therapy. Without correcting the underlying movement problem the spasm will potentially re-occur.
2. If the cause of your muscle spasm was a result of overstretching the muscle in a sudden movement, then the cause of your spasm is already removed from your body. Treating it with heat, ice, and gentle movements will get you back to recovery.
3. If the cause of your muscle spasm is associated with an underlying disc disorder, or injury, the disc itself must be addressed and pressure on the disc and its surrounding muscles released. Core back strengthening exercise will be very important in the long term rehabilitation of this patient to help reduce further episodes of dysfunction and spasm.
4. If the cause of your muscle spasm is due to a neurological condition, for example Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or stroke-medical expertise is required from a neurologist first. Then other treatment regimens can be implemented.
As always, the first thing to do when you sustain muscle spasms (especially when due to an accident), is to see your physician immediately. Dr Jeff J. Mollins will perform a careful history (to understand exactly how this condition occurred), a precise physical (orthopedic and neurologic) examination. After determining an accurate diagnosis, he will then place his patients on a proper treatment regimen so that wellness can be achieved as expeditiously as possible. Dr. Mollins also works with a highly competent group of referred medical specialists (orthopedists, neurologists, pain management Dr.’s etc.) so no matter what the injury, Dr. Mollins can successfully treat.
Posted in: Back Pain Treatment, Blog
