Logan Steele
Paravertebral muscle spasticity, also known as paraspinal muscle spasm, is a common issue that can cause back pain and discomfort. It occurs when the paraspinal muscles, which run along the spine and provide stability and movement, suddenly contract involuntarily. These spasms can be tiny twinges or crippling contractions and are often caused by staying in the same position for too long or injuries to other parts of the spine. Paravertebral muscle spasticity can affect various spinal muscle groups, including the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine, as well as the erector spinae and psoas muscles. Treatment options include spinal decompression, back massages, exercises, and muscle relaxants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Spasticity is a feature of altered skeletal muscle performance with a combination of paralysis, increased tendon reflex activity, and hypertonia. |
| Colloquial Description | Spasticity is referred to as an unusual "tightness", stiffness, or "pull" of muscles. |
| Cause | Spasticity is caused by an imbalance in the excitatory and inhibitory input to α motor neurons, which results from damage to the spinal cord and/or central nervous system. |
| Clinical Description | Spasticity results from the loss of inhibition of motor neurons, causing excessive velocity-dependent muscle contraction and leading to hyperreflexia, an exaggerated deep tendon reflex. |
| Clasp-knife Response | A commonly known feature of spasticity is the sudden decrease of tone after initial resistance, also known as a lengthening reaction or a "catch-yield sequence". |
| Seatbelt Effect | The amount of resistance offered by the muscle is directly proportional to the velocity of passive movement. |
| Diagnosis | Paravertebral muscle spasticity can be diagnosed through various methods, including biopsy, electromyography, radiography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and dual-energy CT scans. |
| Treatment | Back spasms can be treated with at-home remedies such as ice, heat, muscle relaxants, massages, stretches, and consistent exercise. |
| Prevention | Core stability training and back exercises can help strengthen the paraspinal muscles and prevent spasticity. |
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What You'll Learn
- Paravertebral muscle mechanical properties and spinal range of motion in patients with acute neck or back pain
- Paravertebral muscles in disease of the cervical spine
- Paraspinal muscle composition of LBP subjects
- Paraspinal muscles and core stability training
- Paravertebral muscle spasticity and pain management
Paravertebral muscle mechanical properties and spinal range of motion in patients with acute neck or back pain
The paraspinal muscles are an extensive set of muscles that run along the back of the spine and play a crucial role in stability and movement. They are often overlooked, but paraspinal muscle spasms are common and can cause significant discomfort. By understanding the mechanical properties of these muscles and their impact on spinal range of motion, we can develop effective treatments and interventions for patients with acute neck or back pain.
One case-control study assessed muscle mechanical properties through lumbar and cervical myotonometry and spinal range of motion using inertial motion units (IMUs). The study found that cervical tone was higher in patients with acute neck pain compared to healthy controls, while cervical decrement was higher in both spinal pain groups. Additionally, patients with acute neck pain exhibited reduced cervical flexion and rotation compared to the other groups.
Another study by Alcaraz-Clariana et al. (2021) explored the same topic, focusing on patients with axial spondyloarthritis. They investigated the muscle mechanical properties of paravertebral muscles and their impact on spinal range of motion. Their findings suggested that cervical tone and decrement could be potential discriminators between individuals with acute neck pain and healthy controls.
In general, the MMPs and ROMs were not strongly associated with disability, behaviour, or quality of pain within the spinal pain groups. However, age was found to be a factor, with older individuals experiencing a reduction in ROMs and an increase in tone, stiffness, and decrement in both lumbar and cervical regions. These studies contribute to our understanding of paravertebral muscle function and spinal biomechanics, which can inform the development of targeted interventions and treatments for patients with acute neck or back pain.
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Paravertebral muscles in disease of the cervical spine
The paravertebral muscles are essential for the support and stabilisation of the cervical spine. Despite their importance, these muscles have been little studied. Cervical spine disorders are common in older people and can be caused by degenerative conditions, whiplash, mental stress, physical strain, poor posture, growths, meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.
The paravertebral muscles can develop pathological abnormalities with increasing age, and these abnormalities can be both neurogenic and myopathic in nature. Such a muscle disorder would likely be accompanied by functional impairment, which may contribute to the development and symptomatology of cervical spine disease.
The paravertebral muscles are a component of the core and back muscles. They are indispensable for stability and movement and are used whenever you lean to either side, arch your back, or twist your torso to look behind you. They provide constant support to stabilise the spine, reducing the strain on other parts of the body and minimising the risk of injury.
Paravertebral muscle spasms are common, and patients often have been dealing with the discomfort for a while by the time they seek help. Muscle spasms can be caused by staying in the same position for too long, whether sitting or standing, as the paravertebral muscles have to work harder to hold the body upright. They can also be caused by injury to other parts of the spine, usually occurring as a reflex following a disc, ligament, or muscle injury.
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Paraspinal muscle composition of LBP subjects
Paraspinal muscles, also known as the back muscles, are an extensive set of muscles that run along the back of the spine. They are indispensable for stability and movement and are used whenever you lean to either side, arch your back, or twist your torso. Paraspinal muscle spasms are a common type of back pain, often caused by staying in the same position for too long.
Several studies have investigated the association between paraspinal muscle morphology and low back pain (LBP). However, the results have been conflicting, especially regarding fatty infiltration of muscles. Some studies have found evidence of a negative association between multifidus CSA and LBP, indicating that a smaller multifidus CSA is predictive of LBP in men for up to 12 months. People with LBP were found to have smaller multifidus muscles with a significant amount of intramuscular fat infiltration.
On the other hand, there is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between erector spinae, psoas, and quadratus lumborum CSA, and LBP. The amount of intramuscular fat in these muscles was found to increase caudally. Additionally, there was no or limited evidence for an association between fat infiltration in the paraspinal muscles and LBP. Further high-quality cohort studies are needed to understand the role of paraspinal musculature in LBP better.
To address LBP, core stability training and back exercises can be effective in strengthening the paraspinal muscles. At-home treatments such as ice, heat, muscle relaxants, massages, stretches, and consistent exercise can also help alleviate back spasms.
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Paraspinal muscles and core stability training
Paraspinal muscles are an extensive set of muscles that run along the back of the spine, collectively producing most vertebral column movements. They are indispensable for stability and movement, providing constant support to the spine and reducing the risk of injury.
Paraspinal muscle spasms are common, often occurring as a reflex following an injury to another part of the spine, such as a disc, ligament, or muscle injury. They can also be caused by maintaining a slumped seating position for extended periods. These spasms can cause back pain, ranging from tiny twinges to crippling contractions.
Core stability refers to the ability to control the position and movement of the core, which includes the torso or trunk of the body. Improving core stability improves a person's ability to perform other movements. The major muscles involved in core stability include the pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae, and the diaphragm.
Core stability training involves exercises that focus on muscle activation, neuromuscular control, static stabilization, and dynamic stability. A simple exercise to strengthen the core is the plank, which helps to keep a neutral spine and increase intra-abdominal pressure to protect the spine during movement. Other bodyweight exercises such as the bird dog exercise can also improve core stability and spinal musculature strength.
Paraspinal muscles are a component of the core and back muscles. Therefore, core stability training and back exercises are effective in strengthening the paraspinal muscles, improving their stabilising function, and reducing the risk of injury.
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Paravertebral muscle spasticity and pain management
Paravertebral muscle spasticity, or lumbar paraspinal muscle spasticity, is a common condition that can cause significant discomfort and pain. It involves the paraspinal muscles, which run along the back of the spine and are responsible for stability and movement. The intensity of paravertebral muscle spasticity can vary from infrequent spasms causing mild discomfort to chronic spasms resulting in severe and debilitating pain.
The condition can affect any spinal muscle group, including the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine, as well as the erector spinae, psoas, and paravertebral muscles themselves. Paravertebral muscle spasticity can be caused by various factors, including staying in the same position for extended periods, sudden changes in position, back injuries, muscle atrophy, muscle strain, spinal disorders, or emotional health issues such as anxiety and stress.
Pain management for paravertebral muscle spasticity can include a range of treatments, such as:
- At-home treatments: Heat and cold therapy can be effective in managing pain. Heat improves blood circulation, reducing pain, while cold therapy reduces inflammation and provides pain relief.
- Medication: Over-the-counter pain medication can help manage pain, but it may not provide immediate relief. Muscle relaxants may also be prescribed by a healthcare provider.
- Spinal decompression therapy: This treatment focuses on restoring the natural space between vertebrae, realigning spinal structures, and reducing compression on the spine, which can help treat and prevent back spasms.
- Exercise: Core stability training and back exercises can strengthen the paraspinal muscles and improve stability. Stretching exercises, such as yoga poses, can also help reduce muscle tension and the occurrence of spasms.
- Massage: Massages can provide pain relief and improve blood circulation.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound therapy can be used for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and fibrinolytic effects, increasing the pain threshold and reducing joint stiffness.
- Low-level laser therapy (LLLT): LLLT uses low-power lasers to influence biological processes in treated tissues, providing analgesia, reducing inflammation, and stimulating blood circulation and healing.
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Frequently asked questions
Paravertebral muscle spasms are involuntary contractions or tightening of the paravertebral muscles, which run along the back of the spine and are essential for stability and movement.
Paravertebral muscle spasms can be caused by injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, or they can be related to more serious medical conditions. Staying in the same position for too long can also cause paravertebral muscle spasms.
At-home treatments like ice and heat therapy, muscle relaxants, massages, stretches, and consistent exercise can help treat paravertebral muscle spasms. Spinal decompression devices like the Backrack™ can also be used to treat back pain associated with muscle spasms.
Paravertebral muscle spasms can feel like painful twinges, seizures, or contractions, and they may affect movement.
