Understanding Muscle Spasm: Treatment and Causes

Muscle Spasms 

It might start with a sudden stiffness or a muscle that just won’t relax. Maybe it happens after movement—or sometimes even at rest. You try to shake it out, but the tightness lingers. This could be more than just an ordinary cramp. What you’re experiencing might be something called myotonia.

Myotonia, known commonly as muscle cramps or spasms, is a phenomenon in which a muscle involuntarily and forcefully contracts and cannot be relaxed. This phenomenon can affect any muscle of the body, ranging from partial to full contraction of a single muscle or group of muscles.

Muscle spasms often occur in the thighs, calves, feet, hands, arms and abdomen. Cramping in the calves is commonly referred to as a ‘Charley horse’. Additionally, when a leg cramp happens at night while resting or sleeping, it is termed a ‘nocturnal leg cramp’.

Muscle spasms can vary drastically in intensity, from slight twitches that are mildly annoying to extreme unbearable pain. The affected muscle may feel tighter than usual, appear distorted, and look twitched. It can last for seconds up to 15 minutes or more and may happen multiple times.

Who is at Risk?

Muscle spasms can happen unexpectedly regardless of age, lifestyle, or activity level. You could experience a spasm while walking, sitting, exercising, or even sleeping. Unfortunately, some individuals are prone to muscle spasms and may experience them frequently, including:

• Older adults
• Athletes
• Pregnant women
• People who are overweight or sedentary

How Long Does a Spasm Last?

Most muscle spasms resolve within a few seconds to several minutes, although they may recur multiple times before subsiding.

Muscle Spasm Causes 

Many factors, such as insufficient nourishment, muscle tension, excessive use of the muscles, an increased requirement for blood circulation, or various medical problems, can cause muscular spasms.

Working in hot environments (e.g., construction and factory workers, athletes) can lead to dehydration and imbalances in electrolytes (like sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium), which can deprive muscle cells of the nutrients they need to function correctly. It can cause spasms and random contractions, leaving people more prone to muscle cramps.

Muscular spasms often result from holding an awkward position for a prolonged period or participating in vigorous physical activity without adequately stretching the muscles beforehand. Furthermore, the risk of developing spasms increases with age, being overweight, and pregnancy. In some cases, however, the cause of these spasms are not know .

Muscle spasms may not be harmful, but can indicate an underlying medical condition. Arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries) can cause reduced blood flow to the arms and legs, leading to muscle cramps. Nerve compression in the lower spinal cord may be a reason for muscle cramps, especially in the legs, which can worsen with longer distances. Additionally, neurodegenerative diseases, such as MS and ALS, are associated with muscle spasms.

Read More: Learn About Muscle Atrophy

Muscle Spasm Symptoms

Muscle spasms can range from a slight pinch to an excruciating experience. Muscle spasms may present as:

• Sudden, sharp pain in a specific muscle group
• A visibly tightened or twitching muscle
• A firm knot felt under the skin
• Temporary inability to use the affected muscle
• Cramps during rest or activity, especially at night

Persistent, frequent spasms may suggest an underlying condition and require medical evaluation.

Muscle Spasm Diagnosis 

To diagnose the cause of muscle spasms, a healthcare provider will assess:

• When the spasms occur (e.g., at night or during exercise)
• Duration and severity of cramps
• Associated symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or swelling
• Medical history (e.g., diabetes, kidney disease, neurological issues)
• Medications, as some (e.g., diuretics, statins) can cause cramps

Blood tests may be ordered to check for electrolyte imbalances, kidney function, or other abnormalities.

Treatment of Muscle Spasms

Most muscle spasms resolve spontaneously and do not require medical treatment. However, several effective self-care strategies and medical treatments can help:

Self-care for immediate relief:

• Stop the activity that triggered the cramp
• Gently stretch and massage the affected muscle
• Apply warmth (heating pad) to tight muscles or ice if soreness persists

Medications:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen
• Use of naproxen should be under medical advice, especially in older adults or those with gastrointestinal risk.

Prescription medications (in persistent cases):

• Baclofen (a muscle relaxant)
• Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam) – short-term use only due to dependency risk

Caution: These are not first-line treatments and are prescribed only by a healthcare professional when cramps are severe and refractory to lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle advice:

• Regular light exercise and stretching, especially for calves and hamstrings
• Hydration and electrolyte balance
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed if experiencing nocturnal cramps

You should seek medical help if cramps are accompanied by:

• Muscle weakness
• Redness or swelling
• Persistent recurrence without clear cause

Read More: Pulled calf muscle pain treatment

Takeaway

Muscle spasms can be painful but are usually harmless. With proper hydration, nutrition, and physical activity, they can often be prevented or reduced. However, persistent or severe cramps may be a sign of an underlying medical issue and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Get free teleconsultation from our expert doctors once you order medicine from our online pharmacy – Truemeds, or download our Truemeds app. You can avail of branded and generic medications by uploading your prescription on Truemeds, saving up to 72% on your purchase, and getting free home delivery* pan India.

Disclaimer: The information given in this article is accurate to our best knowledge. Still, we recommend you consult your healthcare professional before practising any information mentioned in this article.

Reference 

• Swash, M., Czesnik, D., & De Carvalho, M. (2018). Muscular cramp: causes and management. European Journal of Neurology, 26(2), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13799
• Dijkstra, J. N., Boon, E., Kruijt, N., Brusse, E., Ramdas, S., Jungbluth, H., Van Engelen, B. G., Walters, J., & Voermans, N. C. (2022b). Muscle cramps and contractures: causes and treatment. Practical Neurology, 23(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2022-003574
• Miller, K. C., Stone, M. S., Huxel, K. C., & Edwards, J. E. (2010). Exercise-Associated muscle cramps. Sports Health a Multidisciplinary Approach, 2(4), 279–283. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738109357299
• Katzberg, H. D., Khan, A. H., & So, Y. T. (2010). Assessment: Symptomatic treatment for muscle cramps (an evidence-based review). Neurology, 74(8), 691–696. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0b013e3181d0ccca