Muscle Relaxers for Back Spasms: What You Need to Know

For individuals who injure their neck or back, the muscles may spasm or seize up, making it difficult to get through the day, exercises, physical activities, etc. Can skeletal muscle relaxers help relieve pain and reduce frequency?

Back Spasms Muscle Relaxers

Back muscle spasms are common back pain that feels like a sudden tightness or contraction in the back muscles. They can range from minor twinges to severe pain.

Causes

• Poor posture: Sitting or standing with bad posture can strain the back muscles.
• Overuse: Picking something up, bending, or lifting can cause a spasm.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can cause electrolyte imbalances, leading to spasms.
• Underlying conditions: A herniated disc or degenerative disc disease can cause back spasms.
• Muscle imbalances: Weak muscles or muscles that are too tight can cause spasms.

Treatments

• Home treatments: Apply heat or ice, take over-the-counter pain medication, try gentle stretching, or massage the area.
• Exercise: Improve your back’s strength and flexibility with exercise or physical therapy.
• Hydration and nutrition: Drink enough water and eat foods rich in magnesium and calcium.
• Chiropractic Adjustments: These can realign the spine to the correct position and muscles to relax.
• Non-surgical Decompression: Decompression of the spine will allow more blood and nutrients to heal painful areas.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxers

A healthcare provider may prescribe skeletal muscle relaxers. These medications are not available over the counter and must be prescribed by a healthcare provider.

• Skeletal muscle relaxers will probably cause drowsiness.
• Individuals should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or engage in other physical activities when taking back spasm muscle relaxers.
• Skeletal muscle relaxers are not recommended for 65 or older because safer, effective alternatives exist.
• Also, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take these medications.
• Discuss these issues with your healthcare provider.

Carisoprodol 

Carisoprodol is available generically and as Soma and Vanadom brands. It works by suppressing nerve impulses located in the brain and spinal cord. Healthcare providers prescribe this medication in combination with physical therapy for the healing release of any muscle spasm and management of musculoskeletal injuries and/or pain. (Witenko C. et al., 2014) It’s not about having to continue taking the medication to feel better but more as a jump start to help with the physical therapy program.

• Back muscle spasms are a perfect example of a condition that may benefit from carisoprodol in the short term.
• Carisoprodol can be habit-forming.
• Be sure to talk to a healthcare provider before suddenly going off this medication.
• Carisoprodol can cause side effects that may impair thinking or reactions.
• Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase drowsiness and dizziness that are often caused by carisoprodol. (Zacny J. P., Paice J. A., & Coalson D. W. 2012)
• Inform your healthcare provider of any drug allergies, kidney disease, or liver disease, or if you get seizures.

Cyclobenzaprine

Cyclobenzaprine is available as Amrix and in generic form. Like other muscle relaxers, cyclobenzaprine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. The sedation effects are how it works on painful, tension-filled muscles. Cyclobenzaprine is used together with physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle-related conditions and/or injuries, especially when pain or spasm is involved. When used in conjunction with physical therapy, it can help expedite recovery.

• Cyclobenzaprine is chemically related to tricyclic antidepressants.
• Although it is considered a derivative of the tricyclic antidepressant class, it does not pose the same risk to liver health.
• According to the National Institutes of Health, reasons not to take this medication include having a thyroid disorder, heart block, congestive heart failure, a heart rhythm disorder, or having recently had a heart attack. (Witenko C. et al., 2014)

Metaxalone

Skelaxin is the brand name for metaxalone. As with the other muscle relaxers, metaxalone is used in combination with physical therapy and rest when muscles get too tight. (Witenko C. et al., 2014) It works by suppressing nerve impulses in the brain and spinal cord. In addition to older individuals and pregnant women, metaxalone is usually not prescribed for those with kidney disease, liver disease, seizures, or blood disorders.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Back spasms and muscle relaxers could help individuals, along with a personalized physical therapy treatment program. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.

Thoracic Spine Pain

References

Witenko, C., Moorman-Li, R., Motycka, C., Duane, K., Hincapie-Castillo, J., Leonard, P., & Valaer, C. (2014). Considerations for the appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants for the management of acute low back pain. P & T: a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management, 39(6), 427–435.

Zacny, J. P., Paice, J. A., & Coalson, D. W. (2012). Subjective and psychomotor effects of carisoprodol in combination with oxycodone in healthy volunteers. Drug and alcohol dependence, 120(1-3), 229–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.07.006