What is a muscle?
Muscles main action is to contract to produce motion. We are able to lift things, run, and move because these muscles are attached to our bones. The muscles receive nerve input which tells them to contract and for how long.
What is a muscle spasm?
A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscle usually for a few seconds but can occur for longer periods of time. Usually very painful.
What can cause a muscle spasm?
There are many causes to muscle spasms. Overuse of a specific muscle, too much work will fatigue the muscle and it will go into spasm in response. Trauma to a specific area will lead to muscle spasm. Not enough nutrients such as water and electrolytes will lead to muscle spasm. Trying to compensate for other parts of the body that are in more trouble will also cause muscle spasm.
Why does a muscle spasm?
A muscle usually spasms in response to protecting that area from further harm or damage. Once the muscle spasms it stops you from using that area of the body giving it time to heal itself.
Pain?
Pain is the body trying to tell you something is wrong.
How can chiropractic help?
At our office we focus on finding the cause of the muscle spasm.. Usually this is due to a misalignment in the spine causing the muscle to spasm to protect that area. Once we correct the problem the muscle spasms relax when they are no longer needed to protect that area.