Muscle spasms are often a way that our body informs us that something is wrong with our lifestyle. Maybe you overworked your back muscles at the gym, or your posture wasn’t the best during the day at computer work, or you watched a TV show last night curled up on a couch.
Fortunately, there are many ways to relieve pain and prevent it in the future. We want our readers to feel their best, which is why we offer these tips to help you get rid of neck and back pain.
Heat And Ice Therapy
For the first 48 to 72 hours, doctors recommend applying ice to the painful area (for 10 to 20 minutes at a time). Ice packs help prevent inflammation and slow down nerve impulses, which help numb the pain.
If the muscles are still sore and stiff after that, use heat with the help of hot showers, hot compresses, etc. This will increase blood flow and loosen muscle tightness.
Gentle Massage
It is always good to seek the help of a professional masseur, but if your case is not very serious, you can ask your partner or even do it yourself.
First, lightly rub the muscle that is experiencing spasms and gently press on the painful area. If that doesn’t help, try pinching and holding the area.
Stay Hydrated
Medical specialists warn that among the countless unpleasant results of not drinking enough water throughout the day, you may experience muscle cramps and spasms.
So be sure to drink water regularly. And to calculate the amount of water needed, you can read our article.
Exercise, But Not Right Away
If you have experienced the problem of neck or back muscle spasms, it is very possible that it is due to your physical activity.
Experts recommend that you stop being active for the first few days and then start light exercise and stretching.
Exercises to avoid during this period include:
- Jogging
- Dancing
- Sit-ups
- Golf
- Contact sports, etc.
When it comes to stretching, you can raise your shoulders slightly and then lower them by rolling your shoulders back and forth.
It would be a good idea to ask your doctor or physical therapist about other stretching exercises that are safe for your situation.
Return to your normal routine after 2 to 3 weeks.
Pillow Check
A common reason for back and neck pain is that you sleep on the wrong type of pillows and mattresses that don’t support your neck.
It is worth trying to sleep on a special neck pillow. It can be a feather pillow or memory foam that conforms to the shape of your head and neck. Also, it should not be tall or stiff.
Lay Down And Relax
Muscle spasms are a clear indicator that you need to rest, and this measure works to relieve pain at this time.
Medical experts advise their patients to lie on their back and place a cervical pillow under their head and one under their knees.
To make this experience even more relaxing, listen to your favorite music or use aromatherapy.
Think About The Future
There are many ways to prevent neck and back pain; Here are some that have been recommended by doctors:
If you work at a computer for hours on end, do some stretching exercises regularly in the workplace (about every hour).
Use a special holder to keep the documents you are reading at eye level and keep your neck straight.
Also, it is important to include enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet.
We hope these tips help you get rid of muscle spasms and fully enjoy a pain-free life. Do you know any other tips that are worth trying? Share them in the comments!