Muscle spasms cause sudden and involuntary muscle contractions that often result in severe pain. At Edward C. Murphy, MD, PA, in Houston and Pasadena, Texas, Edward C. Murphy, MD, and Bogar Ventura, DC, offer expert, customized treatments to relax muscle spasms and alleviate your pain. If you have chronic or recurring muscle spasms, call your nearest office or schedule a consultation online today.
A muscle spasm is a sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle. While painful, muscle spasms typically resolve rapidly on their own.
Muscle spasms are most prevalent in your skeletal muscles, although they can occur in the smooth muscles that comprise organs such as your intestines. Muscle spasms usually affect your:
If you get a muscle spasm, stop what you’re doing. Stretch and massage the spasming muscle and stretch until the spasm releases.
If you suffer from frequent, severe muscle spasms that don’t subside on their own, make an appointment to talk to Dr. Murphy or Dr. Ventura about your symptoms.
A variety of factors contribute to muscle spasms. For example, your muscles are more prone to a spasm when they’re overused, fatigued, or previously injured.
Spasms also occur if your muscle is overstretched or if you hold it in the same position for too long. These conditions cause your muscle to run out of fluid and energy and become hyperexcitable.
Additionally, doing strenuous exercise or physical labor in high temperatures can also trigger muscle spasms. If you don’t replenish your fluids and electrolytes, your body becomes dehydrated and develops imbalances in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which can trigger muscle spasms.
If you suffer from chronic muscle spasms, Dr. Murphy and Dr. Ventura can help. They provide customized treatments to relieve your muscles and improve your overall health to reduce your risk of recurring spasms. Your treatment program may include:
During physical therapy, you practice exercises and stretches designed to keep your muscles relaxed and supple. You should practice your exercises at home to maintain the benefits and improvement between appointments.
Your doctor gives you customized instructions on how to reduce your risk of muscle spasms. In general, make sure to warm up and cool down properly before and after physical activity. Stay hydrated and eat a nutritious diet with plenty of potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
If you’re troubled by chronic or severe muscle spasms that interfere with your quality of life, call Edward C. Murphy, MD, or make an appointment online today for expert diagnosis and customized care.
