What are the main symptoms of muscle spasticity. How is spasticity diagnosed and treated. What causes muscle spasticity and how can it be managed at home. What medications are used for muscle spasticity treatment. When should you see a doctor for muscle spasticity.

Understanding Muscle Spasticity: A Comprehensive Overview

Muscle spasticity is a complex neurological condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, stiffness, and spasms. This disorder can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, affecting their ability to perform daily activities, walk, and even communicate effectively. To better understand this condition, let’s delve into its key aspects, symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Muscle Spasticity

Identifying muscle spasticity is crucial for timely intervention and management. The severity of symptoms can vary widely among individuals, ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating pain and limited mobility. Here are the primary signs and symptoms to watch for:

• Muscle tightness and joint stiffness
• Involuntary jerky movements
• Exaggerated reflexes
• Unusual posture and abnormal positioning of limbs
• Muscle spasms and contractions
• “Scissoring” of the legs (involuntary crossing)
• Difficulty controlling muscles used for speech
• Limited range of motion
• Pain in affected muscles and joints
• Back pain
• Difficulty moving

It’s important to note that spasticity can be triggered by various factors, including position changes, sudden movements, fatigue, stress, extreme temperatures, high humidity, infections, and tight clothing. Understanding these triggers can help individuals better manage their condition and minimize discomfort.

Unraveling the Causes of Muscle Spasticity

At its core, muscle spasticity is caused by damage to the nerve pathways responsible for controlling muscle movement. This damage can result from various conditions and diseases affecting the central nervous system. Some of the primary causes include:

• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Hereditary spastic paraplegias
• Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
• Phenylketonuria
• Krabbe disease

Understanding the underlying cause of spasticity is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan and managing the condition long-term.

Diagnosis and Assessment of Muscle Spasticity

How is muscle spasticity diagnosed? The diagnosis of muscle spasticity typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional. This process may include:

1. A thorough medical history review
2. Physical examination to assess muscle tone, strength, and reflexes
3. Neurological tests to evaluate nerve function
4. Imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans to identify any structural abnormalities
5. Electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activity

The severity of spasticity is often assessed using standardized scales, such as the Modified Ashworth Scale or the Penn Spasm Frequency Scale. These tools help healthcare providers track the progression of the condition and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions.

Treatment Options for Managing Muscle Spasticity

Managing muscle spasticity often requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining various treatment modalities to achieve the best outcomes. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, underlying cause, and individual patient factors. Here are some of the primary treatment options available:

Physical Therapy and Exercise

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in managing muscle spasticity. A tailored exercise program can help improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion. Common techniques include:

• Stretching exercises
• Range-of-motion exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Gait training
• Balance and coordination exercises

Medications for Muscle Spasticity

Several medications can help alleviate muscle spasticity symptoms. These include:

• Botulinum toxin: Injected directly into spastic muscles
• Baclofen: A muscle relaxant
• Diazepam: A sedative
• Phenol: A nerve blocker
• Tizanidine: Calms spasms and relaxes tight muscles

It’s important to note that these medications may cause side effects such as fatigue, confusion, and nausea. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.

Orthotic Devices and Assistive Technology

Orthotic devices, such as braces or splints, can help maintain proper limb positioning and prevent muscle contractures. Assistive technology, including mobility aids and communication devices, can enhance independence and quality of life for individuals with severe spasticity.

Surgical Interventions

In cases where conservative treatments prove ineffective, surgical options may be considered. These may include:

• Tendon release surgery
• Selective dorsal rhizotomy (severing specific nerve roots)
• Intrathecal baclofen pump implantation

Surgical interventions are typically reserved for severe cases and require careful consideration of potential risks and benefits.

Home Care Strategies for Managing Muscle Spasticity

In addition to professional medical care, there are several strategies that individuals can implement at home to manage their muscle spasticity:

• Regular stretching exercises (with assistance if necessary)
• Avoiding extreme temperatures
• Wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
• Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Changing positions frequently to prevent pressure sores
• Using relaxation techniques to manage stress
• Maintaining proper nutrition and hydration

These home care strategies can complement medical treatments and help improve overall quality of life for individuals with muscle spasticity.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Muscle Spasticity

While mild spasticity can often be managed at home, there are certain situations where medical attention is necessary. Individuals should contact their healthcare provider if they experience:

• New-onset spasticity with unknown cause
• Worsening or increased frequency of spasticity
• Significant changes in spasticity patterns
• Development of frozen joints
• Pressure sores or skin redness
• Increased pain or discomfort
• Difficulty performing daily tasks

Early intervention can help prevent complications and improve long-term outcomes for individuals with muscle spasticity.

Living with Muscle Spasticity: Challenges and Coping Strategies

Muscle spasticity can present numerous challenges in daily life, affecting mobility, independence, and overall well-being. However, with proper management and support, many individuals can lead fulfilling lives despite their condition. Some strategies for coping with muscle spasticity include:

• Joining support groups to connect with others facing similar challenges
• Exploring adaptive technologies and home modifications to enhance independence
• Engaging in stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation or yoga
• Maintaining open communication with healthcare providers and caregivers
• Setting realistic goals and celebrating small victories
• Exploring alternative therapies such as acupuncture or massage (with medical approval)

By adopting a proactive approach to managing their condition, individuals with muscle spasticity can improve their quality of life and maintain a sense of control over their health.

Advancements in Muscle Spasticity Research and Treatment

The field of muscle spasticity research is continually evolving, with new treatment options and management strategies emerging. Some promising areas of research include:

• Novel pharmacological agents with fewer side effects
• Advanced neuroimaging techniques for better understanding of spasticity mechanisms
• Neuromodulation therapies, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation
• Stem cell therapies for nerve regeneration
• Robotics and virtual reality for rehabilitation

These advancements offer hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with muscle spasticity.

Muscle spasticity is a complex condition that requires a comprehensive and individualized approach to management. By understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options available, individuals and their caregivers can work together with healthcare providers to develop effective strategies for living with spasticity. With ongoing research and advancements in treatment modalities, the future holds promise for better outcomes and improved quality of life for those affected by this challenging condition.

Muscle spasticity: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Overview

When your muscles contract, become stiff, or spasm involuntarily, it’s called spasticity. Spasticity can make it difficult to:

• walk
• move
• talk

It can be uncomfortable and painful at times.

Spasticity occurs when the nerve impulses that control muscle movement are interrupted or damaged. A variety of conditions can cause this, including:

• spinal cord injury
• brain injury
• diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS)

However, spasticity can have some benefit for people with very weak legs. The rigidity from spasticity can help them to stand or walk. For these people, the goal of treatment should be to relieve pain while maintaining the rigidity needed to function.

Prolonged spasticity can lead to:

• frozen joints
• pressure sores
• an inability to function normally

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have spasticity with an unknown cause.

Stretching exercises can help relieve spasticity. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy or massage. Prescription medications for the condition include:

• muscle relaxants
• sedatives
• nerve blockers

Surgery is used in some cases.

Episodes of spasticity can range from very mild to debilitating and painful. Signs and symptoms of spasticity include:

• muscle tightness
• joint stiffness
• involuntary jerky movements
• exaggeration of reflexes
• unusual posture
• abnormal positioning of fingers, wrists, arms, or shoulders
• muscle spasms
• involuntary crossing of the legs, which is called “scissoring” because the legs cross like the tip of a pair of scissors
• difficulty controlling the muscles used to speak
• muscle contraction that limits your range of motion or prevents your joints from extending all the way
• pain in the affected muscles and joints
• back pain
• difficulty moving

Spasticity can be triggered when you change position or move suddenly. Other spasm triggers include:

• fatigue
• stress
• high humidity
• extreme heat
• extreme cold
• infection
• clothing that’s too tight

Your ability to perform normal tasks can be affected if spasms become too frequent.

The main cause of spasticity is damage to the nerve pathways that control muscle movement. This can be a symptom of a variety of conditions and diseases, including:

• brain injury
• spinal cord injury
• stroke
• cerebral palsy
• multiple sclerosis (MS)
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• hereditary spastic paraplegias
• adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
• phenylketonuria
• Krabbe disease

If spasticity is not properly managed, it can result in frozen joints and pressure sores on your skin. Prolonged episodes of spasticity can lead to the inability to move your:

• ankles
• knees
• hips
• elbows
• shoulders
• wrists

This can affect your ability to:

• move
• walk
• function in a normal capacity

Treatment will be based on the frequency and level of your spasticity, and the underlying condition that’s causing it. Contact your doctor if:

• you’re experiencing spasticity for the first time and do not know the cause
• your spasticity is getting more severe or is happening more frequently
• your spasticity has changed considerably
• you have a frozen joint
• you have pressure sores or red skin
• your level of discomfort or pain is increasing
• you’re finding it difficult to perform everyday tasks

Your doctor may suggest physical therapy or exercises you can do at home. In some cases, a cast or splint may be used to prevent your muscles from becoming too tight.

Many medications are used to treat spasticity, including:

• botulinum toxin: injected directly into spastic muscles
• baclofen: muscle relaxant
• diazepam: sedative
• phenol: nerve blocker
• tizanidine: calms spasms and relaxes tight muscles

Some of these drugs can cause uncomfortable side effects such as:

• fatigue
• confusion
• nausea

If you experience side effects, don’t stop taking medications on your own. Talk with your doctor.

Surgery may be recommended for tendon release or to sever the nerve-muscle pathway when medications and physical therapy don’t improve symptoms. You’ll remain under your doctor’s care and receive regular monitoring for spasticity.

Your doctor or physical therapist will likely recommend a variety of home-care treatments to help ease some of the symptoms of spasticity. These include:

• Stretching exercises for spasticity and overall health; you may need someone to help with your exercises.
• Avoiding extremely hot or cold temperatures.
• Wearing loose-fitting clothing and avoid restrictive garments or braces.
• Getting plenty of sleep.
• Changing your position often, at least every two hours. This helps to avoid developing pressure sores if you use a wheelchair or stay in bed for long periods.

Muscle spasticity is a condition that causes muscles in your limbs and throughout your body to stiffen.

They can become so rigid that it’s nearly impossible to move them. That can make walking, talking, and even sitting difficult. You may not be able to move from one position to another without significant help.

However, sometimes muscle spasticity can be helpful. It can help people with some muscle movement disorders have the strength to stand or walk.

In either case, it’s important you talk with your healthcare provider about the symptoms and complications of muscle spasticity. Even if it’s a welcome condition, you’ll need to take steps to avoid complications like frozen joints and skin sores.

Bone Cancer: Types, Causes & Symptoms

Bone cancer occurs when a tumor, or atypical mass of tissue, forms in a bone. These are called bone sarcomas.

A tumor may be malignant, which means it’s growing aggressively and spreading to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor is often referred to as cancerous.

Bone cancer can begin in any bone in your body, but it most commonly starts in the pelvic bone or the long bones in your legs or arms, such as your shinbone, femur, or upper arm.

Cancer that begins in the bones is uncommon. However, it can be aggressive, so early detection is important.

Cancer may also begin in another area of the body and spread to the bone. Cancer is usually named for the location where it starts.

Primary bone cancers are the most serious of all bone cancers. They form directly in the bones or surrounding tissue, such as cartilage.

Cancer can also spread, or metastasize, from another part of your body to your bones. This is known as secondary bone cancer, and this type is more common than primary bone cancer.

Common types of primary bone cancers include:

Osteosarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma)

Osteosarcoma, or osteogenic sarcoma, generally affects children and adolescents, but it can also occur in adults. It has a tendency to originate at the tips of the long bones in the arms and legs.

Osteosarcoma may also start in the hips, shoulders, or other locations. It affects the hard tissue that provides the outer layer of your bones.

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone cancer, causing 2 in 3 bone cancer cases.

Ewing’s sarcoma

Ewing’s sarcoma is the second most common type of primary bone cancer. It either begins in the soft tissues surrounding the bones or directly in the bones, and it often affects children and young adults.

The long bones of your body — such as your arms and legs — and the pelvis are commonly affected.

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma most commonly begins in the bones of the pelvis, thigh areas, and shoulders of older adults.

It forms in the subchondral tissue, which is the tough connective tissue between your bones. These tumors are generally slow-growing. This is the least common primary cancer involving the bones.

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the most common type of cancer affecting the bones.

However, it’s not considered a primary bone cancer because it begins in the plasma cells. It occurs when cancer cells grow in the bone marrow and cause tumors in various bones. MM usually affects older adults.

The symptoms of bone cancer can include:

• pain and swelling in the affected bones
• a palpable hard mass in the long bones of your limbs, pelvis, or chest
• feeling tired or fatigued
• pain in your bones that wakes you up at night
• bone pain that can start after minor trauma
• decreased range of motion

Less common symptoms can include:

• easily broken bones
• weight loss
• fever

While pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, not all types of bone cancer cause pain.

If you experience any of the symptoms above, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor to determine whether or not your symptoms are caused by bone cancer.

The cause of bone cancer isn’t exactly known, but there are certain factors that may contribute to or increase a person’s chances of forming atypical growths in the bone. These include:

Atypical cellular growth

Healthy cells continually divide and replace older cells. After completing this process, they die. However, atypical cells continue living. They start forming masses of tissue that turn into tumors.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, which kills dangerous cancer cells, can be used to treat bone cancer.

However, osteosarcoma may form in some people who receive the treatment. The use of high doses of radiation may contribute to its development.

Chromosomal mutations

For osteosarcoma in particular, 70 percent of cases demonstrated some atypical characteristics in the chromosomes.

Genetic mutations that raise the risk of developing bone cancer may be inherited, though this is rare. Mutations can also happen as the result of radiation or seem to have no specific cause.

The following may be risk factors for bone cancer:

• having a family history of cancer, especially bone cancer
• having received radiation treatment or therapy in the past
• having Paget’s disease, which is a condition that causes the bones to break down and then grow back atypically
• currently or previously having had multiple tumors in your cartilage, which is the connective tissue in your bones
• having Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Bloom syndrome, or Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, which may increase your risk of developing cancers

Doctors classify primary bone cancer in stages. These different stages describe where the cancer is, what it’s doing, and how much it has affected other parts of your body:

• Stage 1 bone cancer hasn’t spread from the bone.
• Stage 2 bone cancer hasn’t spread but may become invasive, making it a threat to other tissue.
• Stage 3 bone cancer has spread to one or more areas of the bone and is invasive.
• Stage 4 bone cancer has spread to the tissues surrounding the bone and to other organs, such as your lungs or brain.

Your doctor may use the following methods to determine the stage of cancers in the bones:

• a biopsy, which analyzes a small sample of tissue to diagnose cancer
• a bone scan, which checks the condition of the bones
• a blood test to establish a baseline for use during treatment
• imaging tests that include X-rays, as well as PET, MRI, and CT scans, to get in-depth views of the bones’ structure

Grading

Following a biopsy, medical professionals may assign tumors a grade based on how they look under a microscope. The grade is a measure of the likelihood that they will grow and spread, based on how closely they resemble typical cells.

Usually, the more atypical they appear, the faster they may grow and spread. Bone cancer may be designated as low grade or high grade.

A higher grade can mean that the cells appear more atypical and may spread faster, while a lower grade can mean that the cells appear more similar to typical cells and may spread more slowly.

Determining the grade can help doctors decide on the best treatment.

Treatment depends on:

• the stage and grade of cancer
• your age
• your overall health
• the size and location of the tumor

Medications

Medications that treat bone cancer include:

• chemotherapy drugs for MM
• pain medications to relieve inflammation and discomfort
• bisphosphonates to help prevent bone loss and protect bone structure
• cytotoxic drugs to prohibit or stop the growth of cancerous cells
• immunotherapy drugs to encourage the body’s immune system to kill cancer cells

Surgery

A doctor may surgically remove tumors or affected tissue. Surgery to remove and replace damaged bone is an option to stop cancers that spread quickly.

For extensive bone damage in the arms or legs, amputation may be needed.

Radiation therapy

A doctor may recommend radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells. This therapy may be used in addition to another type of treatment to slow the growth of cancer cells.

Radiation may also be used if not enough of the tumor can be removed through surgery.

Complementary therapy

The doctor may add additional therapies that include herbal treatments to your care plan. However, this must be done with careful consideration, as some alternative treatments may interfere with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Complementary therapies may help provide relief from symptoms and improve your quality of life and well-being. Other options can include:

• meditation
• yoga
• aromatherapy

The 5-year survival rate for bone cancer greatly depends on the location and the stage of cancer when you’re first diagnosed.

The biggest indicator of the outlook for people with osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma is whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body at the time of diagnosis.

For cancer that has not spread, the survival rate is between 70 and 80 percent.

For those with chondrosarcoma, the outlook is often related to the grade of the tumor. This type of tumor is commonly low grade, which has a 90 percent survival rate.

These are general statistics. Your outlook may look different based on your age and overall health. The most important thing you can do to increase your chances of recovery is to follow your treatment plan.

Clinical trials test treatments that have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a specific diagnosis. They may provide another option for those who have not seen success with traditional therapy options.

This treatment may be free or covered by insurance, depending on whether the sponsor is covering the costs of treatment for the individuals enrolled in a clinical trial.

Many of the cancer treatments common today once started out in clinical trials. The information gathered in clinical trials helps inform future treatment.

If you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial, talk with your doctor about your options or search for clinical trials in your area.

Cancer that originates in the bones is uncommon compared to other types of cancer. The type of bone cancer and how early it is detected can affect your outlook.

To diagnose bone cancer, a doctor will perform a biopsy. They will likely perform other imaging tests in order to determine your cancer’s stage and develop a treatment plan.

Cramps, muscle cramps, palpitations after exercise, how to treat, symptoms, indications

What muscles hurt with convulsions?

Cramps usually appear in the muscles and limbs, feet, abdomen and chest. The most common phenomenon occurs in people engaged in physical activity: athletes, marathon participants, triathletes. Sometimes a convulsive spasm accompanies a person who overdoes it with physical exercises or sprint races on cycle tracks. The tendency of muscles to overstrain and cramps depends on the sport in which the person is engaged. For example, in runners, the thigh muscles are most often affected, in swimmers, the shin is considered a vulnerable area.

It is easy to recognize the syndrome by the following signs:

• There is a sharp pain.

• Movements are constrained.

• Swelling appears in the muscle.

• The toes and ankles point down in an unnatural way and do not extend.

Causes of spasm

• Failure to comply with the training regimen and the result is muscle wasting.

• Muscles are not stretched enough for exercise, muscle fatigue is observed.

• Heat, dehydration, deficiency of salt resource, potassium, calcium, sodium. Lack of sufficient drinking during training adversely affects the working condition of the muscle group. Trainers advise using isotonic drinks to maintain the proper level of electrolytes in the blood. For long workouts, be sure to take a water supplement with you. Every 20 minutes you need to give the body a rest in a cool room if it is a hot summer.

• The circulatory system does not work properly, the central nervous system is depleted (the muscle cannot relax due to overload of the nervous system), there are problems with metabolism, the spine,

• Doctors diagnose hormone imbalances.

• Improper nutrition and non-compliance with medication doses.

• Avitaminosis.

In science, another theory has been highlighted that muscles spasm due to sodium deficiency that occurs against the background of profuse sweating of athletes during training and competition.

Interesting fact! More than 60% Na is present as an essential element in metabolism. The more a person sweats, the more he must compensate for the loss of water to maintain a sufficient amount of Na ions in the blood. With an intense load, doctors recommend drinking liquid from 3g. salt in a 0.5 liter container of carbon-electrolyte drink.

In a healthy person, the body is adapted to stress and is able to withstand 3-4 hours of intense exercise with sodium loss. But prolonged competition, accompanied by inevitable stress, can cause severe convulsions when the sodium content drops by 20-30%. Recent studies by scientists have shown that, to a greater extent, the body’s resistance to muscle spasms depends on the amount of sodium.

What should the patient do?

When seizures occur, first aid must be provided. Usually, the “shooting muscle” does not require serious medical intervention or drug treatment. However, you need to stop the process as soon as possible, which helps the following algorithm of actions.

1. Stop and do not give the muscles a load.

2. Gently stretch the muscle, gently massaging it. Doctors recommend keeping the muscle stretched until the seizure stops. With cramps on the calf, grab the toe with your hands and pull it slightly towards you. But it is important to straighten the knee. If the knee is brought together, it is also necessary to unbend it with your hands.

3. Stretching the antagonist muscles can only increase pain, prolonging the time of the cramp.

4. The muscle must be brought to a state of rest and left in it for a while. You can’t rush to give her a load, otherwise the rush will again provoke a cramp.

5. Painful sensations are relieved by an ice compress and a tight bandage with an elastic bandage or bandage.

6. With a long stay of the muscle in a convulsive position, it becomes dense. In this situation, experts advise to massage, warm it up and bandage it tightly.

In some cases, the leg reduces after training. Then you need to stop immediately and try to relax the muscles by stretching the muscle for 20 seconds. You can do it in several ways

Preventive measures

• Training should begin with a warm-up for 15 minutes. Muscles must be warm enough to withstand pain and cramps.

• Consultation with a dietitian-nutritionist will not hurt. An expert will help you choose the right diet, taking into account the personal characteristics of the body. The menu should include the right amount of products containing Ca, K, Mg. Taking a vitamin complex will also be an advantage.

• Limb massages prevent overwork of the muscular system, a person becomes more resistant to spasms.

• It is necessary to carefully choose comfortable shoes made of quality materials for everyday walking and sports activities.

• It is important to properly fit sports equipment to individual anatomical features (bike seats, exercise equipment).

The correct distribution of energy, sufficient fluid intake to compensate for the loss of water in the body due to sweat, and following the rules of a healthy diet help to avoid the frequent occurrence of seizures.

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Muscle spasms – methods of treatment, diagnosis and causes of spasms

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Muscle spasm is a sudden painful contraction of a muscle. Occurs involuntarily, sometimes during sleep or rest. Occurs in healthy young people. Most often occurs with overwork and high physical exertion, metabolic disorders.

Causes of spasms

Many conditions can cause spasms:

• taking or abruptly stopping certain medications;
• hormonal dysfunction;
• lack of vitamins or minerals;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• dehydration;
• excessive exercise;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Symptoms of muscle spasm

Muscle spasm can be reasonably suspected if pain is felt:

• severe, pressure-aching character;
• increasing, with pressure on the site of maximum pain;
• not subsiding at rest;
• abruptly arising, and then passing.

Classification of muscle spasms

The following types of muscle spasms are divided:

Name	Cause	Description
Clonic	Excitation of the cerebral cortex	Synchronous non-rhythmic contractions accompanied by soreness. Loss or clouding of consciousness, disorientation. The beginning and end of the spasm is sudden
Myoclonic	Reaction of the nervous system to physical or nervous overwork	Short-term attacks at night or during physical overwork. Accompanied by muscle numbness, ocular tic, tachycardia, profuse sweating
Tonic	Overexcitation of the basal areas of the brain	Intense convulsions that come on gradually. May occur during rest periods on the upper or lower extremities, face, airways

All types of muscle spasms are divided into:

• generalized – involving a large part of the body and many internal organs;
• local – emerging place, in separate areas.

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At the consultation, we carry out a thorough diagnosis. As a result of the consultation
We give detailed recommendations for treatment and, if necessary, prescribe additional diagnostics.

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Let’s perform a manipulation that significantly relieves pain

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We will create an individual treatment program

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Warning symptoms that require medical attention

In most cases, spasms go away on their own within minutes. They can be painful, but do not pose a threat to human health and life. You should consult a doctor if the ailment recurs repeatedly and is accompanied by:

• severe weakness;
• loss of sensation in the area affected by spasm;
• long-term muscle twitching after an attack;
• vomiting, diarrhoea, profuse sweating resulting in significant fluid loss in the body;
• increased soreness of each subsequent attack.

First aid for spasms at home

To eliminate a sudden painful cramp, you must:

1. Exclude motor activity, create rest for the painful limb or part of the body.
2. For 10-15 minutes, apply an ice compress to a muscle spasming from exercise, and dry heat to a cramped muscle for an unclear reason.
3. Perform a light self-massage of the painful area, increasing blood flow.
4. Drink plenty of mineral water or water with salt.
5. Gently stretch the muscle taking into account the area of ​​the body, except in cases with severe pain.

Muscle spasms rarely last more than 15 minutes. However, the residual discomfort can be quite long and unpleasant. Even having eliminated the spasm on your own, do not put off a visit to an experienced specialist for a long time.

Diagnosis of emerging problems

The causes of muscle spasm can be quite obvious problems: high physical activity during sports training, non-physiological static posture, something else. After removing the pain manifestation, you can prophylactically visit a specialist doctor.

Spasms of the head, cervical region, abdomen and others that have arisen suddenly, without obvious external causes of malaise, require a mandatory visit to a doctor. Such muscle spasms can be symptoms of serious diseases that require immediate treatment. It is recommended to pay a visit to a neurologist or orthopedist. After conducting an examination, questioning and additional studies, the specialist will make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Diagnostic steps:

• questioning the patient about symptoms: the time of onset of spasms, their duration, frequency, localization, possible provoking factors, additional symptoms, general information about past, chronic diseases, lifestyle, heredity;
• medical examination aimed at neurological examination of the state of muscles and reflexes, examination of the skin;
• additional examination: various types of clinical blood tests, including the level of sugar and electrolytes, electromyography – assessment of the functional state of skeletal muscles and peripheral nerve fibers, MRI of the brain or spinal cord, other studies according to individual indications.

The collected information will serve as a basis for establishing the cause of the condition, accurate diagnosis of the disease. Depending on the prevailing picture, the attending physician will develop a detailed scheme for the most effective and efficient treatment.

Treatment of pathology

Complex therapy helps to eliminate muscle spasms of tissues, get rid of pain manifestations. Depending on the identified cause of the pathology, the following are prescribed:

• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• performing massage procedures;
• cryotherapy, exposure to cold;
• laser therapy;
• acupuncture;
• medicines.

Drug treatment of muscle spasm

To effectively relax cramped muscles and quickly eliminate pain, use:

• Muscle relaxants, drugs that reduce muscle tone until the muscles are completely immobilized;
• Antispasmodics, drugs that eliminate spasm of the smooth muscles of the internal organs of the patient;
• NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with high-quality analgesic effect.

Most drugs in these groups are available over the counter. Nevertheless, before a medical examination, it is not recommended to take drugs on your own, so as not to blur the clinical picture of the disease, suppressing the development of a serious complication.

Possible complications of the disease

If you do not pay attention to muscle spasms, then over time their duration and severity will increase, and will also provoke the progress of serious diseases of the body, such as:

• osteochondrosis;
• narrowing of the arteries, circulatory disorders;
• posture disorders, problems of the musculoskeletal system;
• migraines.

It is much more difficult to cure neglected muscle spasms than a pathological process that has just started.

Prevention of muscle cramps

Effective preventive measures help reduce the likelihood of recurrence of painful manifestations, as well as avoid dangerous complications:

• taking vitamin and mineral complexes;
• daily consumption of at least two liters of drinking water;
• regular muscle-strengthening exercise;
• giving up bad habits;
• timely treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• undergoing annual scheduled medical examinations, as well as visiting a doctor in the presence of dangerous symptoms.

Muscle spasms: advanced treatment in Moscow

Effective treatment of muscle spasms is possible only with timely access to highly qualified specialists. These are the doctors who work in our clinic. For many years they have been successfully coping with muscle spasms, restoring health and joy of life to the most difficult and hopeless patients. We accept for treatment even those who have been rejected by other specialists or medical institutions.

Guaranteed positive result is a logical result of an innovative approach that combines classical methods of therapy proven by practice, as well as innovative achievements of modern medicine in the treatment of muscle spasms. The professional arsenal of doctors of the clinic is rich and varied. It contains a huge number of rehabilitation and recovery programs, and is also systematically updated with the most effective and progressive methods. Our doctors are constantly adopting the best practices of leading experts in this field, leaving for training, seminars, conferences in leading clinics in Israel, the USA, Germany.

We offer our patients a free consultation with an experienced specialist, an extended diagnosis of the problem, and a plan of therapeutic measures. From the first treatment procedures, patients notice a significant improvement in their condition, partial or complete relief of pain symptoms.

Call and register for a free specialist appointment!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the harm from muscle tension and spasms?

A spasmodic muscle compresses blood vessels as well as nerve fibers. The normal functioning of not only the tissues of the muscle itself is disturbed, but also of closely located internal organs. In addition, muscle spasm maintains the tissue in a constantly tense state, increasing the body’s energy consumption for irrational and even harmful work.

What diseases can mimic muscle spasms?

The cause of such destruction may be:

• Dystonia, giving more persistent, repetitive convulsions, which may involve several nearby muscle groups;
• Tetany, neuromuscular excitability syndrome in metabolic disorders;
• Muscle ischemia, giving painful symptoms of the muscles of the extremities during exercise, associated with insufficiently active blood circulation;
• Phantom spasms, the occurrence of a sensation of muscle spasm in the absence of a true contraction.

Who tends to cramp more often?

The problem is familiar to every person, but for some it is a rarity, while for others it is a constant companion. The risk group includes people:

• suffering from vascular diseases and muscle atrophy;
• engaged in heavy physical labor;
• athletes;
• alcohol abusers;
• pregnant women
• babies under three years old, when the temperature rises above 38 degrees.

Why does muscle contraction in pregnant women?

During pregnancy there is a complete restructuring of the body, including metabolism. Against this background, there is often a deficiency of certain elements or vitamins, in particular magnesium. It is his lack that causes muscle spasm. Against the background of weight gain, the load on the woman’s legs increases, causing the occurrence of painful contractions. The lumbar spine, which is in tension under the pressure of the uterus, leads to painful reduction of the back muscles. In the state of gestation, women are recommended frequent rest and physiotherapy exercises, which strengthen the muscular corset of the body.

Material checked by an expert

Marshenin Konstantin Vladimirovich

Chief physician. Neurologist, chiropractor, vertebrologist, psychoneurologist, doctor of the highest qualification category

Work experience – 22 years

Video reviews of patients

Joint block in the neck

Hernia in the lower back and neck

B Dr. Length’s clinic I came from spinal problems. With two intervertebral lower hernias and two intervertebral hernias in the neck. I was assigned a comprehensive 10 step program. For 4 months, my lower vertebrae completely disappeared and crunches in my neck disappeared …

Hernia of the lumbosacral region

“After the first time, my back stopped hurting. I felt relieved. Now 7 sessions have already passed and the back really does not hurt. I began to forget about it. And at first it hurt a lot. ”

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve

“For 4 months I suffered from severe inflammation of the sciatic nerve on the right side. After the first visit, relief came immediately within six hours. After 6 courses, the pain was almost gone.

Pain in the lower back and leg

Yakovleva Natalya Mikhailovna
Head of the department, surgeon of the highest category, oncologist-mammologist
I want to express my deep gratitude for the fact that I was put on my feet in the truest sense of the word. I came to the clinic a month and a half ago with severe pain in the lower back and leg. These complaints were long enough and the treatment that I used in the past was ineffective. Fortunately, I ended up in the clinic of Dr. Length and his team of super professionals!

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

“I applied 2 months ago with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. I have a sedentary job and my neck muscles were very cramped. It was impossible to work. Before that, I went to other doctors, but this did not solve my problem. For 2 months I have a fairly positive dynamics. Every week it gets better and better.”

Bechterew’s disease

“I have had Bechterew’s disease for 10 years. The vertebrae began to move out, I began to slouch. I turned to other chiropractors, very famous, media ones. In the end, I didn’t get any results. After 2 sessions I felt much better. Now I don’t have any pain.”

Pain in the spine

“I came in with problems in my back, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. I was prescribed procedures, had a massage, and was assigned to do physical education at home. This made it much easier for me. I’m already turning my head. I have no pain.”

Shoulder shoulder periarthrosis

I went to the clinic with severe pain in my shoulder. My hand did not rise, I could not sleep at night, I woke up from pain. After the first treatment session, I felt much better. Somewhere in the middle of the course, my hand began to rise, I began to sleep at night.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, 2nd degree

Came in with a very serious illness. I could not walk, I have arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the knee joint. I went through a course of treatment at the Clinic and now I am going 100%.

Herniated disc

“I came to the clinic after I had back pain and it turned out to be a herniated disc. I went to other places, but they only relieved attacks of pain. Hope for a return to normal life was given only by Sergei Vladimirovich, his golden hands!

Scoliosis

“Since I was a teenager, I have suffered from scoliosis in the thoracic region. I felt a feeling of discomfort, tension, periodic pain in the spine. I turned to various specialists, a massage therapist, an osteopath, but I did not feel a strong effect. After treatment, Length S.V. I almost have a straight spine. Currently, I do not feel any problems and discomfort.”

Intervertebral hernia

“At the 5th-6th session there was an improvement. I felt much better. The pain is gone. Improvement progressed more and more each time. Lesson 10 today. I feel great.”

Pain in the lumbar and cervical region

“I am 21 years old. I went to the clinic with discomfort in the lumbar and cervical region. I also sometimes had sharp pains. After undergoing therapy, I felt a significant improvement in my back. I have no pain. The condition as a whole has improved.”

Back pain

“At the beginning of the path of treatment, my back hurt very much. I could no longer walk. I take 5 steps and stop. My entire journey consisted of such stops. In the very first procedure, I left the office with no pain in my spine.”

Cervical hernia

“I came in with a problem in my neck and my right arm was very sore. The neck did not turn, the hand did not rise. After the 3rd session, I felt better. After the 5th, all this pain began to decrease. It turns out I have 2 hernias in my cervical vertebrae. After the sessions, I did an MRI and one hernia decreased. Now he began to move, his hand earned.

Pain in the neck

“I went to Dr. Long because I had a very bad pain in my neck on the right side. I fell on a snowboard 5 years ago, even went to an osteopath, but somehow it didn’t really help. Now everything is fine, there are some consequences left, the muscles were spasmodic. When I came, I had steel muscles, now my neck is very soft.”

Pain in the thoracic region

“I went to the clinic with back pain, namely in the thoracic region. After 10 sessions of treatment, I could already calmly go about my usual business, stay at work until lunch, without howling in pain. Now I’ve come back for an adjustment after 2 months. I’m fine, my back doesn’t hurt.”

Hernia and protrusion

“I came to the clinic with L4-L5 hernia and L5-S1 protrusion. Today the course of treatment has ended. Lower back hurt, it was difficult to bend down. After completing the course and receiving instructions in the form of physical exercises, it became much easier. After a month of treatment, I do not feel any stiffness of movements. ”

Pain in the lower back and hip joint

“From a young age I was troubled by back pain. When they became unbearable, I went to Dr. Length’s clinic. Already after the first procedure, the pain in the hip joint was gone. After the third procedure, the shooting pains in the lower back stopped.

Applying today will help

avoid surgery tomorrow!

Relieve pain and inflammation

After 2-3 treatments, the exhausting pain goes away and you feel better.

Eliminate the cause of the disease

Comprehensive joint rehabilitation improves well-being: you feel a surge of strength and energy.

Let’s start the regeneration process

The process of repairing damaged tissues begins. Inflammation and swelling go away.

Prevention of complications

To avoid complications, contact Dr.