Relief for Back Spasms
Back spasms are seriously one of the most painful experiences that a person can go through. Time seems to stand still when experiencing the sudden sharp and oftentimes excruciating pain that comes with a back spasm. You can’t think of anything else besides getting rid of the pain.
A back spasm is defined as “A sudden, involuntary contraction of muscles in the back”. It is oftentimes accompanied with a very sudden surge of pain and typically lasts only a few minutes. But if you have ever had a back spasm, you are aware that those few minutes seem like eternity!
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Typically the first thing to do to find relief for back spasms is to lie down and rest. Try to avoid any type of activity that can aggravate the back spasm. Now this doesn’t mean you need to go on strict bed rest, but rest just enough until the pain subsides.
You may also want to take anti-inflammatory medication, preferably an all natural one. While common drugs such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen do work, we recommend a natural anti-inflammatory that will give you the pain relief without all of the negative side effects.
Pain relief cream will definitely help as the healing ingredients will penetrate deep into the muscles and provide instant pain relief. Ice should be applied immediately for relief from back spasms. Some people get confused about when to use ice and when to use heat. In all cases of acute back pain, ice should be applied for the first 48-72 hours. The rule of thumb is to apply it for 20 minutes, remove for 20 minutes, and then reapply for 20 minutes. You can do this for 2-3 days after a back spasm has occurred. Make sure to not make direct contact with the ice and your skin.
After 72 hours it is recommended that you apply heat to the area, once inflammation has been reduced. Heat therapy will penetrate the muscles while bringing in healthy red blood cells.
Once the pain and inflammation have subsided, begin to perform light stretches to soothe the back. If your back spasm is a onetime event, you probably just strained your back muscles. However, if you have had them more than once and you deal with an achy back, you may want to check out our Muscle Balance Therapy page. You can learn all about how imbalances in our muscles are the second leading cause of back pain. But the good news is, they can be corrected with targeted stretches and exercises.
Dr. Brian Paris
Dr. Brian Paris, D.C. is the Medical Advisory Board Lead at The Healthy Back Institute. With over 20 years of clinical experience in pain management and postural restoration, Dr. Paris empowers patients to live pain-free without drugs or surgery.
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