A number of circumstances can trigger spinal muscular spasms, causing pain, reduced mobility and discomfort.
At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we specialise in spinal muscular spasm treatment to:
Spinal Muscular Spasms Treatment
What are spinal muscular spasms?
Spinal muscular spasms vary from person to person and is determined by the level of pain and type of muscular sensation within the spinal column. Back spasms are usually involuntary tensing or contraction of spinal muscles, and range from mild to severe in cause and diagnosis. They’re usually a stress response to stimulus, (e.g., spinal condition), or abnormal movement (e.g., whiplash), acting to protect the spine.
What are the types?
Spinal muscular spasms can occur in the three spinal regions:
- Cervical spine (neck) – muscle spasms in the neck are usually of the trapezius or sternocleidomastoid muscles, and pain sensations are felt locally at the point of irritation.
- Thoracic spine (mid-back) – muscle spasms of the thoracic spine are less likely to occur due to minimal movement in this region, but can be of trapezius muscle, which also affects the neck, or the rhomboid muscle.
- Lumbar spine (lower back) – muscle spasms in the lower back are the most common, with location and severity largely depending on the trigger for the spasm – typically, they are of the erector spinae muscles, also known as “lats”.
What are the causes?
The severity and location of the spasm greatly influences symptoms, diagnosis and recovery.
Some common risk factors include:
- Spinal conditions, including but not limited to:
- Differential diagnoses of other spinal muscular injuries
- Trauma injuries, e.g. whiplash
- Wear and tear of joints, or fractures within the spinal column
- Osteoporosis or osteoarthritis
- Heavy lifting or strenuous movement/activity
- Sports involving dynamic spine movement, e.g., soccer, golf, netball, etc.
What are the symptoms?
- Back pain, aches and/or stiffness
- Soreness, tenderness or numbness in the back
- Tingling/pins and needles sensation in the back or limbs
- Difficulty with movement
- Worsened pain after prolonged periods of sitting, standing or inactivity
- Reduced range of motion
- Gait, posture and balance issues
Treatment for spinal muscular spasms
If you have back pain and reduced mobility, it is important to have it assessed by a GP or physiotherapist. A physiotherapist will then be able to determine the possible cause, severity of the condition and the treatment required. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent spinal spasms from worsening and causing severe pain. They may also refer you for scans to better understand your condition.
At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we tailor a unique treatment plan to aid in your recovery through:
- Soft tissue mobilisations
- Spinal manual therapy
- Stretching exercises
- Restoring range of movement
- Improving posture
- Dry needling
- Taping
- Shockwave therapy
- TENS treatment
- A unique home exercise program
Your physiotherapist may also advise heat or ice application, rest and if necessary, pain medication. Additionally, they might recommend for you to use spinal support (braces), a suitable pillow or custom foot orthotics/supportive footwear to help stability.
How to book an appointment?
If you have a spinal muscular spasms, or you’re looking for a ‘physiotherapist near me’, our physios at Vitalis Physiotherapy can assess your condition to tailor a unique rehabilitation plan to aid in your pain relief and recovery. They may also refer you to get scans in some severe cases to better understand your needs.
All you need to do is just give us a call on 0410 559 856 and request an initial appointment. Please let our friendly reception staff know the background and severity of your condition.
You can visit our FAQs for more information about appointments at Vitalis Physiotherapy.
Need Help?
Are you in pain caused by spinal spasms? Contact Vitalis Physiotherapy now to book in your treatment.
Call our friendly team on 0410 559 856. We’d love to help.
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