Spinal Muscular Spasms Treatment

Spinal Muscular Spasms Treatment

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:

Restore Stability

Improve Range of Movement

Reduce Pain

About the condition

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.

Causes

What are the causes?

The severity and location of the spasm greatly influences symptoms, diagnosis and recovery.

Some common risk factors include:

  • Cervical/thoracic/lumbarspondylosis
  • Cervical/thoracic/lumbarradiculopathy
  • Cervical/lumbarspondylolisthesis
  • Cervical/lumbarstenosis
  • Slipped (prolapsed) discsor microtears of spinal discs
  • Nerve root compression
  • Differential diagnoses of otherspinal muscular injuries
  • Trauma injuries, e.g.whiplash
  • Wear and tear ofjoints, orfractureswithin the spinal column
  • Osteoporosis orosteoarthritis
  • Heavy lifting or strenuous movement/activity
  • Sports involving dynamic spine movement, e.g., soccer, golf, netball, etc.
Symptoms

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

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:

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 pilloworcustom foot orthotics/supportivefootwearto help stability.

  • 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

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.