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What Causes Back Spasms In A Person Post Constant Heavy Lifting?
Question: Hi I have a job that requires heavy lifting using my back. Five months ago I started to have back spasms and pain in my lower to mid back. After advisement from another doctor I used muscle relaxants to help heal the area. Around two weeks time ago I noticed a movement at work that made my back feel achy at the time but it passed. Fast forward to yesterday I was running on pavement and it felt like my back had shooting, gripping type catchy pain through the mid to lower back. I noticed if I turned it would catch, and upon taking a muscle relaxant I felt 25% better this morning with some lingering pain. I went promptly to my chiropractor and had an adjustment. He said I have some tightness next to my spine and though it was my spinal erector again that is causing the problem. I have muscle relaxant (Soma), Hydrocodone (Norco 5/325) Meloxicam (15mg). I tried to jog on grass today and it felt like it was going to lock up again so I stopped. My job requires me to constantly lift 45-50 lbs, 20-60 times a day.
Brief Answer:
Due to lifting heavy loads.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Lifting heavy weights can be the cause of your pain and spasms. This can cause microscopic tears in the back muscles causing the spasms.
Some other underlying causes like Sciatica, Spondylitis, Herniated disc, Degenerative disc disease, etc should be ruled out through clinical examination and radiological investigation (like X- ray, CT scan, Myelogram, MRI etc). Kindly, consult with Orthopedic surgeon regarding this for proper management of the case.
TREATMENT: Some general guidelines can help you to reduce the back pain. These are as follows:
1) Take adequate bed REST with maintaining posture. Individuals who do not regularly exercise to build strength and flexibility are more likely to experience recurrent or prolonged back pain.
2) Alternate Hot water bottle or Ice pack can help to relieve most types of back pain by reducing inflammation.
3) Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants are quite useful to reduce inflammation and back pain. You can continue with the medicines you are taking.
4) Exercise for Back Pain : It is a key element of almost any back pain treatment plan. You may contact with Physiotherapist regarding this.
It includes 3 components: aerobic conditioning, stretching, and strengthening. The exercises are done through a controlled, progressive program to build more strong and flexible spine.
5) Epidural Steroid Injections - deliver steroids directly into the painful area of the back to reduce inflammation. It doesn't heal the components of the back, but often provide enough pain relief to allow patients to move, exercise and heal.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Due to lifting heavy loads.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Lifting heavy weights can be the cause of your pain and spasms. This can cause microscopic tears in the back muscles causing the spasms.
Some other underlying causes like Sciatica, Spondylitis, Herniated disc, Degenerative disc disease, etc should be ruled out through clinical examination and radiological investigation (like X- ray, CT scan, Myelogram, MRI etc). Kindly, consult with Orthopedic surgeon regarding this for proper management of the case.
TREATMENT: Some general guidelines can help you to reduce the back pain. These are as follows:
1) Take adequate bed REST with maintaining posture. Individuals who do not regularly exercise to build strength and flexibility are more likely to experience recurrent or prolonged back pain.
2) Alternate Hot water bottle or Ice pack can help to relieve most types of back pain by reducing inflammation.
3) Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants are quite useful to reduce inflammation and back pain. You can continue with the medicines you are taking.
4) Exercise for Back Pain : It is a key element of almost any back pain treatment plan. You may contact with Physiotherapist regarding this.
It includes 3 components: aerobic conditioning, stretching, and strengthening. The exercises are done through a controlled, progressive program to build more strong and flexible spine.
5) Epidural Steroid Injections - deliver steroids directly into the painful area of the back to reduce inflammation. It doesn't heal the components of the back, but often provide enough pain relief to allow patients to move, exercise and heal.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
THanks for the quick response doc. Last time I took muscle relaxants for about a week and felt good. I also weigh around 225lbs and I am a amature bodybuilder. So my weight normaly sits around 180. I am currently slimming down as we speak, will that help?
I have taken a 7.5mg Norco tonight with a meloxicam and feel a lot better. The muscle relaxant seems to work the best though, I do not want to take them while I am lifiting heavy. I will not have to lift heavy from this coming Thursday til next Thursday. would it be best to take the relaxants?
I have taken a 7.5mg Norco tonight with a meloxicam and feel a lot better. The muscle relaxant seems to work the best though, I do not want to take them while I am lifiting heavy. I will not have to lift heavy from this coming Thursday til next Thursday. would it be best to take the relaxants?
Brief Answer:
You can avoid muscle relaxant if pain killer helps.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Slimming down will definitely help.
The muscle relaxants will make you pain free. In case the pain is not relieved with pain killer then only take the muscle relaxant. Till then do a hot compress at least twice a day and apply a local analgesic ointment over the area. A light massage will also help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
You can avoid muscle relaxant if pain killer helps.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Slimming down will definitely help.
The muscle relaxants will make you pain free. In case the pain is not relieved with pain killer then only take the muscle relaxant. Till then do a hot compress at least twice a day and apply a local analgesic ointment over the area. A light massage will also help.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
one last question doc. Is the spinal erectors something I can strengthen? My right side is the side where I have this problem. If I can strengthen it, what are the exercises I can do? I currently do Bent rows, Deadlift, one arm dumbbell rows for my back work.
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Spinal erectors can be strained with improper lifting technique, frequent bending and excess body weight in your abdomen. Stretching is not indicated. However erector spinae strengthening exercises can be performed to improve posture and spinal support. Sit or stand up straight, squeezing your shoulder blades together to contract your erector spinae muscles and keep your spine straight.
You can consult a physiotherapist regarding the correct technique.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Spinal erectors can be strained with improper lifting technique, frequent bending and excess body weight in your abdomen. Stretching is not indicated. However erector spinae strengthening exercises can be performed to improve posture and spinal support. Sit or stand up straight, squeezing your shoulder blades together to contract your erector spinae muscles and keep your spine straight.
You can consult a physiotherapist regarding the correct technique.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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