Back spasms are an involuntary tensing or contraction of the back muscles, usually occurring in the lower back. They can vary from a mild, one-time occurrence to chronic back spasms causing severe pain and discomfort.
But, why do they happen? Just like pain is your body’s response for telling you that something is wrong, back spasms are your lower back muscles telling you something is wrong. Maybe an activity you’re performing is causing undue stress on your back muscles or you have an underlying condition causing the back spasms.
If you ignore your back spasms, you may be allowing an underlying condition to go unchecked and you’d be increasing your risk of developing a more severe injury.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Your back spasms could be the result of a soft tissue injury, which includes your muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Normally, soft tissue injuries heal within a week or two and your spasms should stop. However, if you are experiencing back spasms due to soft tissue injuries, it’s a sign that you should rest so that your back can heal properly.
Soft tissue injuries can be the result of the following:
- Injuries such as from weight lifting or other physical activity
- Inflammation or swelling
- Dehydration
Underlying Anatomical Issues
If your back spasms continue for longer than two weeks, or they pop up every now and then, it could be a sign that there is an underlying issue with your spine. These underlying issues may include:
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet joint osteoarthritis
- Spinal stenosis
With soft tissue damage, normally rest, ice packs, and heating pads are enough to help your body heal. However, with an underlying anatomical issue, medical treatment from a licensed healthcare provider is usually needed.
When Should You Seek Out Medical Care for Back Spasms
Back spasms can be signs of a more serious condition and you should seek out medical care under the following scenarios:
- If the back spasms have lasted longer than two or three weeks.
- If the back spasms are debilitating.
- If you have difficulty with bladder or bowel control in conjunction with your back spasms.
- If your legs or arms develop unexplained weakness, numbness, or shooting/throbbing pain.
- If you are experiencing fever, unexplained weight loss or illness with your back spasms.
Learn More
Dr. Nael Shanti of Cary Orthopaedics Spine Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of spinal conditions using the latest techniques in minimally invasive spine surgery, including those that may be causing your back spasms. For questions or more information, we invite you to contact our office or schedule an appointment.