What to Do for Back Spasms

A staggering 80% of the American population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Unlike common dull or aching pains, back spasms come on with little to no warning and can cause anywhere from minor discomfort to pain. These spasms can signify small-caliber problems like muscle sprains, or they can indicate a more serious spinal issue. 

Whatever their cause, back spasms are often painful and even debilitating for some. Thankfully, there are several at-home and low-cost treatments to help relieve back spasms. Read on to learn how to relieve back spasms when they strike.

What are Back Spasms?

What is a back spasm and should you be concerned? According to Healthline, a back spasm is “the involuntary tensing or contracting of muscles in the lower back.” The experience can range from minor painful, ongoing spasms which can restrict movement.

Common symptoms of a back spasm include:

• Tension in the lower back
• Sudden pain in the lower back
• Trouble bending and lifting/Restricted range of motion
• Ongoing pain in the low back
• Weakness in the back or hips

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it may be a back spasm. Typically, your back might be reacting to activities that cause strain on your muscles, such as a new exercise regime. However, they can occasionally be indicative of a larger issue. 

What Causes Back Spasms?

Back spasms can come on seemingly out of nowhere and can be alarming. However, not all back spasms are cause for great concern. The most common causes of back spasms can be divided into two categories:

1. Muscles responding to muscle strain: Spasms can occur after any injury to soft tissues in the spine. These lower back spasms can be due to inflammation or minor strains in the back muscles. This category includes causes such as:

• Poor posture
• Overuse of muscles or exercise-induced inflammation
• Not getting enough exercise
• Stress 

Usually, these spasms will subside after one or two weeks of gentle, traditional treatments. 

Read more about muscle strains in our article Repetitive Strain Injuries: What They Are, and How to Avoid Them.

2. Deeper, anatomical problems: When back spasms persist more than two weeks, or when they regularly recur, they can be indicative of more serious spinal issues. If you are experiencing recurring back spasms that do not respond to simple treatments, such as those listed below, it is best to consult with your doctor.

How to Relieve Back Spasms

Back spasms can come on fast and the pain can be crippling. Finding pain relief for back spasms quickly is important to getting you back on your feet and back to normal life. Some common methods for how to help back spasms include:

Cold Therapy

Cold therapy is recommended for flare-ups of acute or newly occurring pain, including back spasms. 

Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15 to 20 minute increments with around two hours of rest time in between applications. 

You can also alternate heat and cold on your back. Cold therapy can help reduce inflammation, while heat therapy can help support healthy blood flow.

Rest

Painful muscle spasms can make it difficult to go about basic daily activities or move at all. Instead of pushing through the pain, listen to what your body is telling you. Stay home and take it easy, avoid bending or twisting, and engage in gentle walking once you feel able. Pushing yourself when you are experiencing pain could exacerbate injury and delay recovery. 

Medications

Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and muscle relaxers can relieve symptoms and reduce pain. NSAIDS are sold over the counter, but you’ll need a prescription for muscle relaxers. Other back pain sufferers have had success treating their pain with injections of anti-inflammatory medications (cortisone).

Talk to your doctor about all of the aforementioned options if you are interested in trying them.

Hemp Extract for Backaches

Our CBDMEDIC™ line utilizes a powerful combination of active ingredients such as menthol and camphor to offer temporary relief from back pain. 

Whether experiencing sore muscles or a simple backache, the CBDMEDIC™ Back & Neck Pain Relief Ointment is an easy and effective method for temporary  relief from back aches. Formulated with menthol and camphor to target pain at the source, simply apply to the affected area for temporary back and neck pain relief.

If overuse of muscles and exercise-induced inflammation are bothering your back, Charlotte’s Web™ offers Recovery Gummies to help. These tasty gummies are formulated with ginger, turmeric, and full-spectrum hemp extract to help support recovery from exercise-induced inflammation.*

Additionally, with rest being an essential step in recovery, restful sleep is crucial. If back aches are disrupting your sleep, Charlotte’s Web Sleep Gummies contain the perfect blend of hemp extract and melatonin to help you wind down and get those essential, restorative Zzs.* 

Read more about how CBD can aid in muscle recovery in our article How to Reduce Muscle Aches and Soreness.

Get Back at It

Back spasms have many causes and are a common occurrence for many people, but they don’t have to keep you down. Find temporary backache relief and get back to your daily life quickly by combining conventional methods such as cold therapy and rest with temporary CBDMEDIC™ pain relief.

To learn more about how CBD can improve everyday wellness browse our CBD products, read our article on CBD for Inflammation, or contact Charlotte’s Web directly.