What is the Best Medicine for Muscle Spasms?

Best Medicines for Muscle Spasms: Relief by Condition

Stiffness due to muscle spasms can be very difficult to deal with, particularly while sleeping. These difficulties can arise from an old injury or from a fresh incident which eventually results in more pain as you wake up. To treat these issues, there are various muscle relaxers available in the market that can help you get through these harsh days.

Which Muscle Relaxants to Take for Different Types of Pain?

As per medical research, specific muscle relaxant characteristics make them suitable for addressing different types of pain. Below, you may find the best medications for various kinds of muscle pain:

• Sciatica: It is a typical condition involving pain along one’s sciatic nerve, which runs from a person’s lower back to their legs. To treat the discomfort, healthcare providers usually recommend nerve pain medications like gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).
• Muscle spasms involving the back and neck: For acute back and neck spasms, cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) or methocarbamol (Robaxin) are often prescribed.
• TMJ: TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which refers to the area surrounding a person’s jaw and its adjacent muscles. Pain in this part of the face can be constant or intermittent, and doctors usually suggest taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) and tizanidine (Zanaflex) to relieve the effects.
• Tension headaches: This type of aching often feels like you have a tight band tied around your head. Usually, you are prescribed baclofen (Lioresal) and tizanidine (Zanaflex) to relax the muscles.
• Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder, is marked by widespread, persistent pain. It often leaves those afflicted with a constant ache that feels as if it is occurring deep within the bones. Tizanidine (Zanaflex) and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) are two common medications for this condition.
• Cerebral palsy:It is a neurological condition caused by brain damage, and it is normally associated with musculoskeletal problems like muscle stiffness and joint misalignment. Some common medicines to treat the symptoms include baclofen, dantrolene, gabapentin, and diazepam.
• Muscle spasticity from stroke: Involuntary muscle contractions are quite common following a stroke, and these occurrences greatly compromise a survivor's ability to perform daily activities. To minimise the issues, one is generally recommended medicines like tizanidine (Zanaflex), baclofen (Lioresal), and dantrolene (Dantrium).
• Parkinson’s Disease: This is a progressive disorder that gradually modifies an individual's pain processing pathways, thus amplifying pain signals. Two medicines commonly used to treat the effects include orphenadrine and tizanidine.

Although these medications are commonly prescribed for the aforementioned conditions, it is crucial to consult with a certified doctor or healthcare professional before taking any of them to ensure proper diagnosis and dosage and to avoid potential side effects or interactions.

What is Best for Muscle Cramps and Spasms?

While oral medications take time to work, injectable treatments (e.g., botulinum toxin for chronic spasticity) may offer faster relief in some cases. However, you can try a few other things to prevent muscle cramps relatively faster.

Here are a few helpful suggestions:

• Try to stretch the affected area of your body.
• Use your hands or a massage roller to massage the affected part.
• Consider moving and walking around instead of restricting motion.
• Apply moderate heat or ice
• You can consider taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

If you see no noticeable improvement after a few days of trying out these methods or if you are facing severe muscle spasms, you must consult a doctor for suitable muscle relaxers.

To cover the costs of medications and related tests, you can consider checking out comprehensive health insurance from Star Health. With plans tailored for individuals, families, specific diseases, and senior citizens, our health coverage encompasses all needs. Thus, you can gain access to top-notch treatment without worrying about undue financial burden.

How to Prevent Muscle Spasms?

Muscle spasms can hit you out of nowhere. Since they are so unpredictable, it can be tough to keep them at bay. While some risk factors, like age, are beyond your control, there are definitely steps you can take to lower your chances.

Here are some actions that will help reduce the chances of experiencing cramps:

• Make flexibility exercises a regular part of your routine.
• Aim for better overall fitness.
• Stretch your muscles often, especially the ones that are more likely to cramp up.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Try to avoid working out in extreme heat.
• Choose shoes that fit well.
• Maintain a healthy weight for your body.
• Stay cautious with medications that may trigger muscle spasms as a side effect.

Finally, if you want to prevent leg cramps, you may consider using pillows that keep your toes pointed upward when you sleep on your back. Otherwise, if you prefer sleeping on your stomach, let your feet hang off the edge of the bed. Additionally, do not miss stretching your muscles before bedtime, and keep your blankets loose around your legs while you sleep.