Muscle spasms affect 50 to 60% of healthy adults, with frequency increasing as we age. In people over 50, about 40% experience regular muscle cramps, and many deal with spasms more than three times per week. These episodes often last an average of nine minutes, and they tend to hit harder in older adults, pregnant women, and endurance athletes.
Certain health conditions, like type II diabetes and chronic liver disease, are also linked with a higher rate of muscle cramping. So if you’re having recurring spasms, you’re not imagining it and in most cases what’s happening isn’t random.
In my clinic here in Wheat Ridge, I see patients all the time who say, “I bent to tie my shoe and my back seized up,” or “I turned my head and something locked.” These episodes might go away for a few hours, only to return the next day. That tells me the root cause hasn’t been fixed.
What Are Muscle Spasms and Why Do They Happen?
A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of muscle fibers that holds tight and doesn’t release right away. It can happen suddenly, often without warning. The muscle may feel knotted, hard to the touch, and sore even after it relaxes.
Spasms are the body’s protective response to stress or dysfunction. When a joint becomes restricted or a nerve becomes irritated, the surrounding muscles tighten to stabilize the area.
That’s especially common in the spine, where the brain tries to prevent further motion by contracting nearby muscles. This reaction is often referred to as muscle guarding.
Spasms can also be triggered by metabolic factors such as low magnesium and dehydration. In patients with diabetes, chronic liver disease, or nerve dysfunction, muscle cramping is more common and often more intense.
What Causes Muscle Spasms?
Muscle spasms are usually the result of more than one issue happening at once. That’s why we look beyond just the cramp itself. Here are the most common causes I see in the clinic:
Repetitive Physical Activity
Muscle spasms often happen during or after repeated use of a muscle. This is especially common in the lower extremities like the calves and thighs. Athletes frequently report cramping near the end of a game or workout, and even seemingly harmless tasks like writing can also lead to localized spasms in the hands and forearms.
Fluid Loss and Electrolyte Imbalance
When the body loses too much fluid, either through sweating, illness, or poor hydration, it leads to hypovolemia, a loss of fluid and electrolytes from the bloodstream. Even mild dehydration can increase the chance of muscle cramping, particularly during exercise or in hot weather.
Medications
Several medications are associated with increased muscle cramping. These include diuretics, beta-blockers, statins, bronchodilators, and some sleep aids. Long-acting beta agonists and loop diuretics are also known to contribute to night-time cramping.
Type II Diabetes
People with type II diabetes experience muscle cramps more frequently than the general population. One study found a 65.2% prevalence in diabetic patients compared to 45.5% in healthy adults.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS damages lower motor neurons, which control voluntary muscle movement. This leads to muscle twitching, cramping, and weakness. Spasms in ALS often occur early in the disease and can affect multiple parts of the body.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis happens when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerve roots in the lower back. This pressure disrupts nerve signals and reduces blood flow to the muscles.
As a result, patients often develop cramping, aching, or tightness in the calves or thighs, this is known as neurogenic claudication
How We Treat Muscle Spasms at The Disc Chiropractic
Muscle spasms are usually the result of more than one issue. That’s why we take a full-body approach to treatment. Here is what works:
Chiropractic Adjustments
For spasms in the legs, feet, or hands, we assess the joints of the ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows. Restoring joint mechanics in these areas can significantly reduce stress on surrounding muscles.
It’s common to see improvement within just a few visits when the right joints are treated.
Soft Tissue Therapy
We use the Rapid Release™ Pro 3+ to relax overactive muscles and reduce tension in deep muscle layers. This high-frequency vibration therapy works especially in the calves, hamstrings, neck, and low back the areas where spasms tend to settle in and linger.
Shockwave Therapy
When muscle spasms are more or have developed into painful trigger points, we use the Intelect RPW 2 to send out acoustic waves deep into the muscle to break up scar tissue, increase and improve blood circulation, and promote the body’s natural healing process.
Therapeutic Exercises
Once muscle tone improves, we retrain and strengthen your muscles to keep spasms from returning. That includes using specific stretches and exercises to maintain your muscle groups after treatment.
FAQs About Muscle Spasms
Can I Get Muscle Spasms Even if I’m Healthy?
Yes. Studies show that 50–60% of healthy adults experience muscle spasms, especially in the legs. Spasms are common during sleep, when the muscles are generally fatigued, even in people without any underlying conditions.
Why Do Cramps Happen More as We Age?
As we get older, muscle mass decreases and nerve sensitivity increases. That makes muscles more prone to overstimulation. One study found that 40% of adults over 50 report frequent cramps, especially in the calves or feet, with many experiencing them more than three times per week.
Are Muscle Spasms Linked to Dehydration or Electrolytes?
Yes. Loss of fluids and key minerals like sodium and magnesium can increase the likelihood of cramping. Dehydration and hypovolemia (low blood volume) are common triggers.
Can Medical Conditions Cause Muscle Spasms?
Definitely. People with type II diabetes, chronic liver disease, heart failure, or ALS have higher rates of muscle spasms. In cirrhosis, for example, up to 88% of patients report painful cramps that affect sleep.
How Do I Know if It’s a Simple Cramp or a Nerve Issue?
If the spasm is frequent, long-lasting, or happens with numbness, tingling, or weakness, there may be nerve involvement. Conditions like lumbar spinal stenosis or peripheral neuropathy often cause cramps that don’t respond to basic hydration or stretching.
Let’s Fix What’s Causing the Muscle Spasms
If muscle cramps are becoming too frequent, it’s time to stop guessing and its time to start finding a real solution.
Your first visit is just $97. That includes a full consultation, digital posture and movement assessment, any needed spinal or extremity exams, and a detailed breakdown of what we find.
Book Your $97 First Visit or Call: 720-573-4910