Muscle spasms are caused by the sudden contraction of muscles. Muscle spasms, sometimes called “charley horses” — particularly when they’re in the calf muscles can be an extremely painful experience.
What causes them, and what can you do to relieve them?
Many things can trigger a muscle cramp. They include:
- Poor blood circulation in your legs
- Working calf muscles too hard while exercising
- Not stretching enough
- Being active in hot temperatures
- Muscle fatigue
- Dehydration
- Magnesium and/or potassium deficiency
- A problem such as a spinal cord injury or pinched nerve in your neck or back
Muscle cramps can also occur as a side effect of some drugs. Medications that can cause muscle cramps include:
- Furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and other diuretics(“water pills”) that remove fluid from the body
- Donepezil (Aricept), used to treat Alzheimer’s disease
- Neostigmine (Prostigmine), used for myasthenia gravis
- Nifedipine (Procardia), a treatment for angina and high blood pressure
- Raloxifene (Evista), an osteoporosis treatment
- Terbutaline (Brethine), albuterol (Proventil and Ventolin), asthma medications
- Tolcapone (Tasmar), which helps treat Parkinson’s disease
- Statin medications for cholesterol, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin(Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), or simvastatin (Zocor)
Here, at Family Chiropractic and Wellness, we provide noninvasive techniques that focus on joint manipulation as well as massage and muscle stretching to treat your muscle spasms. Our chiropractic treatment includes techniques to correct the alignment of the spine. It improves the ability of the muscles and blood flow throughout the body, replenishing fluid in the muscles and reducing or eliminating your symptoms. The chiropractor analyzes health history, examines the body, and provides treatment to cure the root cause along with the symptoms.
Family Chiropractic and Wellness in Columbus Indiana has 4 professional chiropractors – three women and one man – who treats muscle spasms and other musculoskeletal problems. Improve your quality of life. Schedule an appointment. We would love to help you. You can also find plenty of information and tips on our Family Chiropractic and Wellness Facebook Page.
