The causes of muscle fatigue, low back pain, and back spasms are many. The most common are trauma to the back due to a car accident, sports or other injury and muscle fatigue, low back pain, and back spasms due to a disorder like arthritis. Back pain is the second most common reason people miss work with headaches coming in as number one. What is muscle fatigue, low back pain, and back spasms? And how can you effectively treat them? This article will answer both questions.

Muscle fatigue is defined as a condition resulting from extended contraction of a muscle. When a muscle is overused, muscle fatigue occurs. Personal trainers use the term anaerobic threshold for the point at which the body no longer has the oxygen or energy supply to keep going. Muscle fatigue occurs if the body is pushed passed this threshold limit.

Low back pain is pain in the lower spine, or lumbar spine, and any of its surrounding muscles, and ligaments, its vertebrae and discs, or in the organs or skin near the lower back. Low back pain can be acute or chronic in duration. Pain can come on slowly and softly or be severe and immediate. Acute low back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks and chronic low back pain can last years or become permanent, chronic pain.

A back or muscle spasm happens when a muscle contracts or decreases in length and cannot be released voluntarily. Muscle spasms are caused by pain stimuli.

Banishing Muscle Fatigue, Low Back Pain, & Back Spasms

Treating muscle fatigue, low back pain, and back spasms involves a multifaceted approach.

The best way to treat muscle fatigue is to stop using the muscle before fatigue sets in. It is important to take breaks and rest muscles when playing sports or lifting heavy objects. If you do not stop before you reach the anaerobic threshold, you may cause a muscle sprain and you certainly will experience muscle soreness or strain. Strengthening muscles with aerobic exercise that increases oxygen levels to muscles and helps build endurance and stamina is an excellent way to keep muscle fatigue from occurring. Know your limits. If you have strained a muscle, get lots of rest and give the muscle at least two weeks to heal before using.

Treat low back pain with hot and cold pads, topical analgesic creams, prescription and over- the-counter medications, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, and physical therapy. Wearing shoes with no higher than a ½ to ¾ inch heels can be helpful. Yoga and other forms of exercise can strengthen back muscles and keep back pain from occurring again. Make sure you are evaluated for any other disorders that could cause low back pain such as a kidney infection.

Treat muscle spasms within two weeks or they will form muscle knots which are much more painful. Massage therapy and trigger point injections are the most common treatment methods.