Effective Muscle Spasm Relief in Lanham, MD
Chiropractic Treatment for Muscle Spasms
Whether you’re in Crofton, Millersville, or Lanham, MD, Effective Chiropractic PG County can provide you with state-of-the-art chiropractic care for muscle spasms. Chiropractic care can help reduce their severity and frequency. A common treatment we use is joint manipulation. This technique encourages your spine and joints to resume normal motion, which in turn leads to a decrease in muscle spasms. Additionally, regular adjustments can go a long way toward helping avoiding the tightness that can result in muscle spasms. Routine adjustments can also help remove pressure from nerves and soft tissues, which in turn reduces the nerve signals that cause an involuntary contraction. Whether your chiropractor recommends joint manipulation, routine adjustments, massage therapy, or another type of chiropractic treatment, you can rest assured that you’ll receive quality care from experienced professionals, as well as muscle spasm relief.
Common Causes of Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms occur when a muscle involuntarily contracts and cannot relax. These involuntary contractions are common and can affect any muscle in the body. Most commonly, these spasms occur in the thighs, calves, feet, hands, arms, abdomen, and sometimes along the ribcage. When it comes to muscle spasms, there are a wide range of common causes. These include, but are not limited to:
- Dehydration
- Muscle fatigue
- Stress and anxiety
- Excessive caffeine consumption
- Exercising in heated temperatures
- Insufficient stretching before exercise
- Deficiencies of certain nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin B, and calcium
- Electrolyte imbalances in potassium, magnesium, and calcium
- Nicotine found in cigarettes and other tobacco products
- Adverse reactions to certain drugs, including corticosteroids and estrogen pills
When Do I Need to Call a Doctor for My Muscle Spasms?
For the most part, muscle spasms are common and not serious. However, severe and frequent muscle spasms are often the result of a serious condition. If the pain or frequency of your spasms is interfering with your day-to-day life, it might be time to see a doctor. Additionally, if you get muscle spasms frequently and for no clear reason, that can also be an indicator. Call your doctor if you have any of the following muscle spasm symptoms: severe cramping, prolonged cramping, pain that wakes you up at night, or pain, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs. If you are experiencing any of the previously mentioned, call your doctor today to schedule an appointment.
How to Prevent Muscle Spasms
While muscle spasms are not always preventable, there are things you can do to help prevent them. By avoiding dehydration and stretching your muscles, you can help prevent muscle spasms. Drink a hefty amount of water every day to avoid dehydration. The amount each individual needs to consume per day varies depending on what you eat, your sex, level of activity, health, age, what medications you take, and the weather. Fluids help keep your muscles hydrated, which in turn keeps them relaxed, making them less likely to spasm. During activity or exercise, be sure to replenish fluids at regular intervals. In addition to staying hydrated, be sure to stretch your muscles before and after extended muscle use. To learn more about how to prevent muscle spasms, as well as common causes and related chiropractic treatment, contact us today.