Treating Muscle Spasms at Home

A young woman sitting on her yoga mat holding her shin in pain because she's currently experiencing a muscle spasm.

Muscle spasms are common and can happen anytime and anywhere. You may be just working at your desk when suddenly you are attacked by pain accompanied by distracting muscle spasms. Or, you may be watching TV and suddenly have a cramp in your muscle, or you may wake up in the morning with agonizing pain in your calf muscle.

While most muscle spasms occur in the leg muscles, they can also often happen in your hand, back, feet, and toes. The pain usually lasts for up to 15 minutes, so quick relief is definitely in order.

Let’s talk about some of the ways in which you can treat muscle spasms in the comfort of your own home, and where you can go in Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan for outstanding medical treatment of musculoskeletal issues.

Muscle Spasm Treatment You Can Do Yourself

No medication can instantly relieve muscle spasms, but there are a few home remedies you can try to help alleviate the existing pain, and can also possibly prevent future muscle spasms:

Stretch Out the Painful Muscle

The best thing to do once a muscle spasm occurs is to stretch out the spasming muscle. This usually provides quick relief to stop the spasm. If you regularly work out, be sure to stretch your muscles before and after your sessions so they do not spasm.

Here are a few easy stretches you can try, based on where the spasm is occurring:

Neck Spasms

  • Roll your shoulders forward in circular motions 10 times.
  • Then, repeat the same motion in the opposite direction. You can do this while sitting or standing.

Back Spasms

  • Walk at a steady pace to urge your back muscles to loosen.

Thigh Spasms

  • Stand up, and hold onto a chair for balance.
  • Bend your lower leg behind you, and reach for your ankle from behind.
  • While gently holding your ankle, pull your foot up toward your buttocks.

Calf Spasms

  • Lie down on your back.
  • Stretch your leg by pulling your toes toward your head, or pointing them forward.
  • Hold this position until the spasm stops.

When doing these stretches, remember to not force yourself. If doing these increases the pain, try massaging the affected area first.

Massage the Painful Spasming Muscle Area

Massage is another great way to relieve the knots from your muscle cramps. Here are a few tips:

  • Gently rub the affected area. You can either use your hands or a massage roller. If you can’t reach the area, ask someone to massage it.
  • If the spasm still persists, try pinching the area around firmly. Hold the pinch until the spasm subsides. Again, if you can’t reach the area, ask someone to do it for you.

Engage in Mild Exercise

Gentle exercises can help prevent muscle spasms. If muscle twitching occurs at night, or if you awake with muscle spasms, try doing these light exercises for a few minutes before going to sleep:

  • Walking up and down the stairs
  • Riding a stationary bike
  • Jogging in place

Muscle Spasm Treatment in Southeast Michigan

Many of us dread muscle spasms, especially after a long, tiring day. Muscle spasms can be treated at home, but sometimes the pain can be too intolerable to control by yourself.

If you’re looking for a medical practice that can help treat your muscle spasms, visit us here at Associates in Neurology and AIN Imaging. Our team of experts is highly experienced in successfully dealing with patients who suffer from muscle spasms.

Call us today at (248) 478-5512 or fill out our easy appointment request form online now. We look forward to giving you long-term relief from muscle spasms!