5 Questions About Back Spasms, Answered by Board-Certified Sciatica Doc Near Me in West Orange

Chronic back spasms can be triggered by an underlying condition in a small percentage of cases. Nerve damage may be at blame as well if your muscular spasms are really severe. In this scenario, your doctor may recommend minimally invasive procedures, such as steroid injections to reduce the discomfort.

Question #2: What can cause a back spasm?

Patients experience back spasms due to a variety of reasons, but the most common ones include:

Muscular strains

A muscular strain is a type of injury that happens when muscles are overworked – usually due to repetitive movements or age. Sudden movements, such as twisting, can also cause acute muscle strain injuries. They’re most common in the lower back, and they’re commonly followed by muscle soreness as the tissues get naturally repaired.

Herniated discs

Your spine’s discs are separated by cushions. A disc herniates when the outer layer of the disc fractures, bulging out of its original place and putting pressure on adjacent nerves. This produces pain, which might lead to muscle spasms. A herniated disc can occur as a result of overuse or injury.

Degenerative disc disease

Over time, your body experiences wear and tear. Ageing may have a severe effect on various parts of the body, such as the joints, causing joint cartilage to break down. This is known as degenerative disc disease, and while it may not have any apparent symptoms, it can eventually lead to discomfort and muscle spasms. This condition is a type of arthritis that affects joint cartilage.

Question #3: Should back spasms be a sign of worry?

Back discomfort and spams are rarely signs of a more serious condition, but if accompanied by certain symptoms, there may be some red flags. These signs and symptoms should be taken seriously, and you should seek medical attention for proper care.

If you’re experiencing all of the following symptoms at once, it may be an emergency, and you should get medical help right away:

• Numbness in the buttocks: This pins and needles feeling can be an indication of sciatica, but it might also be a sign of a serious spinal issue if it occurs near the groin region.
• Incontinence: If you can’t control your bladder movements because of spasms, it might be an indication of major nerve injury, which is generally caused by nerve compression or infection.
• Leg weakness and numbness: Any ailment that comes suddenly should be taken seriously. It might be a symptom of a serious spine problem that has reached the nerves if it happens in conjunction with back pain.

Question #4: Can back spasms be caused by sciatic discomfort?

Sciatica is a condition in which the sciatic nerve in your spine is inflamed or compressed, causing pain. Because this lengthy nerve also goes down your legs, it can produce discomfort all the way from your lower back to your toes, with varying degrees of intensity.

Sciatica is a symptom of a variety of diseases rather than being a condition itself. Herniated discs, for example, might exert pressure on a nerve, causing discomfort or spasms. An indication of sciatica might be if the pain is accompanied by numbness in the legs, discomfort that travels the length of the sciatic nerve, or weakness.

Question #5: Which type of treatments are available?

Back spasms can be treated if the underlying cause is addressed. Depending on whether you have acute or chronic pain, your treatment options may differ.

Over-the-counter medications, topical pain creams, heat and cold therapy, muscle relaxants, and light exercises are some of the most frequent treatments recommended for acute back pain. For most cases, these options will be sufficient to get patients back to their pain-free life.

Chronic pain, on the other hand, may necessitate stronger treatment options. Your doctor may recommend steroid injections, prescription medicine, physical therapy, or, in certain situations, the assistance of an orthopaedic surgeon, depending on the degree of your discomfort.

If back spasms give you trouble, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Dr. Michael Nguyen and Dr. George Hanna lead a team of pain treatment specialists and help patients find the best possible treatment options for their needs. If you are looking for a pain clinic in West Orange, don’t hesitate to contact us! You can find a sciatica doc near you at our West Orange, NJ Pain Center near the Essex Country Club.