Treatment of Muscle Spasms by physical Therapy - physiotherapymaterial

 Treatment of Muscle Spasms by Physical Therapy

 

What is Muscle Spasm?

A muscle spasm can be defined as:

 

“A twitch in the muscle and it feels like hard or tight, like a knot”.

• Most commonly occur in the leg muscles.

• May also occur in other muscles which include hands, back, feet and toes.

• Most often, muscle spasms are idiopathic, they have no known cause.

 

Muscle Spasm Causes

 

• Those muscles who get fatigued from exercise.

• Dehydration/Electrolyte depletion.

• Low levels of calcium, sodium, potassium, etc.

• Nerve Damage

• Parkinson’s disease

• Cardiovascular disease

• Pregnancy

 

Role of Physiotherapy

 

Physical Therapy treatment of muscle spasms treatment includes:

• Stretching ( Stretching can help in improving or it can stop the spasm from occurring)

 

 

No.1

 

Stretch your leg by pulling your toes towards your head. You can use a strap or towel for this. Hold it for a few seconds or until the spasm stops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 No.2

Firstly stand up and try to put your weight on the cramped leg, bending your knee slightly. Now Stand on your tiptoes for a few seconds. Now keep your cramped leg straight and lunge forwards to the leg that’s not cramped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stretches for Back Spasms

1. Walking

 

A simple way to stretch a back spasm is to walk around which can help loosen your back muscles and relieve spasms. Move at a slow, steady pace.

 

1. Tennis Ball Stretch

 

        Lie down on the floor/on the bed with a tennis ball under the area with the spasm for a few minutes. Try to relax and breathe normally. Now move the ball to an adjoining spot and repeat.

 

2. Foam Roller Stretch

 

         Lie on the floor with a foam roller perpendicular to the spine. Try to move your back over the roller, up to your shoulder blades, and down to your belly then keep your arms crossed on your chest.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Exercise Ball Stretch 

 

          Sit on an exercise ball and lie back, so your back, shoulder, and buttocks are stretched out on the ball with your feet flat on the floor.

 

 

 

 

Massage

 

Massage is a great way to relieve muscle cramps and physical pain, then gently rub the muscle that is in spasm.

 

Ice or Heat

 

Hot or Cold Therapy can be extremely effective for treating pain and spasms.

For a continuous spasm, apply an ice pack on the muscle for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, a few times a day. Always make sure to wrap the ice in a thin towel or cloth so that the ice isn’t directly on your skin.

A heating pad on the area may also be effective for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, but follow this with an ice pack.

Ice will calm down the inflammation.

• Many other heat options include a warm bath, hot shower, or a hot tub or spa if you have access to one, which can all help relax your muscles.

Mild Exercise

 

Some people feel cramps at night. This can be relieved by doing a little exercise before they go to sleep.

Some examples of light exercise include:

• Move up and down a set of stairs.

• Jogging in place.

• Riding a bike for a few minutes.

• Use of a row machine for a few minutes.

 

Stretches for Lower Back Spasm

 

1. Child’s pose:

 

For this pose, kneel on the ground with your knees apart. Stretch up and then fold forward, bringing your chest down towards your thighs. Now stretch your arms forward in front of your head, with palms downs down and elbows resting on the floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Hip Lifts

 

• Now try to lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the ground. Place your hands by your side. Then again gently raise your hips a couple of inches off the ground and hold the position. Repeat 5–10 times.