back spasms

I had to go to a doctor when mine were bad (muscle relaxers and pain meds). I also had luck with a naturopath who also did chiropractic techniques. Learning to lift free weights and strengthen the core, as well as losing excess weight, is what ultimately healed mine. I haven't had spasms in years.

I had a relatively minor back injury in November 2014 and I'm still dealing with recurring pain and muscle soreness/spasms. It seems to happen randomly and I kept telling myself it had to be a form issue, so I spent a lot of time working on form before finally seeing a chiropractor, who found disc compression, a wonky hip thing, and a 15% curve in my spine that no other doctor has ever mentioned to me before. I'm seeing an orthopedic doctor next week to get more details, but this has been such a frustrating process. The adjustments seem to be working and the difference in hip height is almost gone after only a week and a half, but that curve in my spine isn't going anywhere. I'm just hoping it's not degenerative.

I agree that strengthening your core and losing excess fat should help, but finding out the source of the pain is important, so I'm glad you're seeing a doctor. Before seeing the chiropractor, my doctors insisted it was muscular in nature and I just needed to rest and allow it to heal. So much for that. So get a second opinion if you're not happy with the first.

LyndseyLovesToLift wrote: »

The adjustments seem to be working and the difference in hip height is almost gone after only a week and a half, but that curve in my spine isn't going anywhere. I'm just hoping it's not degenerative.

Regular adjustments will hopefully help. I discovered a few years ago that my spine was twisted - the top half in one direction and the lower half in the other - which we figured may have been due to a car accident many years earlier. It took about two years of regular adjustments, but after the last batch of x-rays we could see that my spine is almost straight and the bone spurs that were starting to form have gone. I was told that if I hadn't started having treatments, things would have got progressively worse and the bones would eventually start to fuse. Hopefully I've avoided that now, and I still try to go for monthly adjustments when I can (difficult at the moment).

I still get occasional spasms in my lower back (had it really bad over the holidays and could hardly move!), but far less than I used to. I also find that the little bit of exercise I now do seems to help, and I've had barely any twinges this year. (*crosses fingers* )

I wish luck to all of you dealing with back issues, and take it easy until you feel ready to do more again.

...
Can I um... suggest not seeing a chiropractor until you've had an MRI? ... My chiro kept 'adjusting' my herniated disc, and it compounded the damage to my spine bones. My surgeon was picking bits of shattered spine bone out of my tendons. I'm probably looking at a fusion some time down the road. (I will note that it took two years of chiro and physical therapy, with both my chiro AND my pt throwing up their hands and notifying my GP that they couldn't heal me before my GP ordered an MRI and sent me to a neurologist. I should have put my foot down and thrown a tantrum MUCH sooner, but I kept 'trusting the process'. It was only when my PT wrote my doctor saying, "Her core strength is excellent. She is strong, her muscles are great, but there's something wrong we can't see." that my GP listened.

As for the spasms: Ice packs are your friend! A good 20 minute icing can sometimes stop the spasms. Also recommend a TENS unit, especially if you have nerve pain with the spasms.

You don't mention if you've ever been diagnosed with any spinal disc issues. I mean, I get flare ups sometimes from a couple of prolapsed discs in my lower back. But if you don't and this just suddenly happened for no good reason, get thee to a doctor. Not a chiropractor.

Try correcting your sleeping position. Try to assume the fetal position while sleeping. Also, stay topped up on hydration, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals.

I had back spasms a lot back in the day. Strengthening the core really, really helps. As others have mentioned, make sure you're well hydrated and have plenty of potassium, magnesium, and salt in your diet (if you have no medical reason to avoid salt).

After not having them for a year or two, however, I've unfortunately been thrown back into them a lot recently. I had abdominal surgery and have been told to go easy on my abs for a couple more weeks. I'm literally feeling your pain right now. X( Can't wait to get back to my planks and dead bugs.

lisa9805 wrote: »

how can I make sure I'm getting those minerals? a supplement?

Potassium and magnesium can be found in supplements. However, most supplemental pills are horse pills and contain a very surprisingly low percentage of your daily recommended intake.

I try to find extra in the foods I choose. Bananas, certain leafy greens, potatoes, and tuna and some other fish species have a lot of potassium in them.

A quick Google came up with this list of foods (which seems pretty dependable):
https://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php

Are you doing deadlifts? If yes, perhaps ask someone to check your form.

fwiw, I get a muscle spasm in my neck a few times a year. It's not fun. I'm doing more YOGA now, in hopes that after all these years my back and neck aches will cease.