Treating Lower Back Muscle Spasms: Home Remedies and Medical Options

Lower back muscle spasms, also called back sprains or strains, are sudden involuntary contractions of the muscles in the lower back. These painful spasms occur when the muscles are overstretched or injured. Fortunately, a variety of home remedies and medical treatments can provide relief. This article explores the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for lower back muscle spasms.

Introduction

Spasms of the lower back muscles are extremely common. Up to 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point, often from muscle strains or sprains. These spasms cause the lower back muscles to shorten and tighten, resulting in severe pain and muscle stiffness that can limit mobility. Episodes often occur after physical activity and can last from a few days to a few weeks. While painful, back spasms are rarely a cause for concern and often resolve with rest and home treatment. However, persistent or worsening back spasms should be evaluated by a doctor.

Causes of Lower Back Muscle Spasms

Lower back muscle spasms have several potential causes:

• Overuse of the back muscles from strenuous physical activity like heavy lifting, pulling, or twisting
• Poor posture while sitting or standing for long periods
• Structural problems with the spine, like bulging discs, arthritis, or spinal stenosis
• Dehydration or mineral deficiencies that cause muscle cramps
• Pregnancy, which strains the lower back
• Chronic conditions like diabetes or fibromyalgia

Sometimes no specific cause can be identified. Risk factors like age, being overweight, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle also increase susceptibility to back spasms.

Treating Lower Back Spasms at Home

Mild to moderate back spasms often respond well to home treatment. These remedies help alleviate spasm pain and promote healing:

Rest avoids activities that aggravate the injured muscles. Take a break from exercise and physically demanding tasks.

Ice packs applied to the lower back reduce swelling and inflammation. Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes several times a day.

Heat therapy with hot packs or a heating pad can relax tightened muscles. However, heat should not be applied to an acute back injury in the first 24-48 hours.

OTC medications like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) and muscle relaxants relieve spasm pain and discomfort.

Stretching and massage gently stretches the muscles and increases blood flow. Avoid vigorous motions that exacerbate pain.

Supportive back braces or corsets provide compression to prevent muscle spasms and support for proper posture and spine alignment.

With 48-72 hours of rest and home treatment, most back spasms resolve on their own. See a doctor if symptoms persist longer than two weeks.

Medical Treatment for Lower Back Spasms

For severe or recurrent back spasms, a physician can provide pain relief, diagnose any underlying cause, and refer the patient to appropriate specialists if needed. Medical treatment options include:

Prescription muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine relieve spasm pain and may allow return to normal activity levels.

Steroid injections like cortisone provide anti-inflammatory effects directly into the spasming muscles. However, long-term steroid use risks side effects.

Physical therapy involves gentle stretching, muscle strengthening, and modalities like heat and ice therapy. It restores mobility and prevents future back spasms.

Surgery like laminectomy or spinal fusion may be needed to treat an underlying spinal structural problem causing repeated severe spasms.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a physician promptly if back spasms result from trauma like a fall or motor vehicle accident. Also call the doctor if you experience:

• Fever, chills, or sweating along with back spasms
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Severe or progressive weakness in the legs
• Numbness or tingling in the legs or buttocks

These red flag symptoms indicate a possible medical emergency like a spinal infection, fracture, or cauda equina syndrome requiring prompt evaluation.

Conclusion

While often extremely painful, episodes of lower back muscle spasms typically resolve within a few weeks with conservative home treatment. Proper rest, ice/heat, OTC pain medication, and massage help ease spasm discomfort and promote healing. Those with persistent or worsening symptoms should follow up with a physician for prescription muscle relaxants, steroid injections, physical therapy, or surgery if spinal abnormalities exist. With appropriate therapy, most patients make a full recovery and can take steps to prevent future back spasms.

References

Spine-Health. Back Muscle Spasm Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.

Cleveland Clinic. Back Spasms.

Healthline. How to Treat and Prevent Lower Back Spasms.

Verywell Health. Reasons for Lower Back Spasms and How to Find Relief.