By Dr. Murtaza Izzy

Muscle spasm is tightness of the muscle, which is basically a protective phenomenon. In common words it’s called muscle twitch/catch (chadak). Whenever a person does a sudden movement and the muscle has to contract (in action to produce movement), sometimes the muscles are not ready to do that particular action.

Thus to prevent damage to that particular muscle and other structures, muscles undergo spasm.

Most common areas where more twisting movements occur are neck and back. Neck is mostly involved in rotation movements and back while rotation and forward bending.

Daily life activities where we can get muscle twitch are, sleeping on a high pillow, sleeping on one side the whole night, getting up abruptly early in the morning, watching tv in lying position, using mobile phone while driving scooter or car, prompt movement to one side when on phone, lifting heavy objects, pulling out object from shelves below or above while seated on chair and getting up from sitting position.

Muscle spasm (catch) is sometimes so severe that it can remain for several days or for a day or two when it’s mild to moderate. When it’s severe, the person is not able to move neck or back. All the neck and back movements are painful.

Symptoms:

1. Heaviness around neck or back. 2. Catching type of pain. 3. Stiffness of neck or back (can’t move the neck or back) in one position. 4. Hardening of muscle around neck and shoulder/back and waist.

Treatment:

1. Hot fermentation. 2. Relaxation and avoid exertion. 3. To correct the alignment of the muscle with gentle mobilization (Manual therapy). 4. Do basic mobilization exercises as guided by physical therapist.

Manual therapy: It is a hands on therapy by which highly trained professionals examine the compromised structures(muscles, nerves and joints) manually and adjust the muscle and bone alignments with hands(manually)and fix the problems in fraction of time.

DR. MURTAZA EZZY MPT (ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS INJURY) BANGALORE SUPER SPECIALISED IN MANUAL THERAPY (HANDS ON THERAPY) SMB PHYSIOCARE CLINIC, UDAIPUR FOR QUERIES: murtaza_mohad@yahoo.com/07737600541