What kind of a doctor deals with muscle spasms?

I suggest you try physical therapy. I’m 72 with spinal stenosis, chronic pain syndrome, peripheral neuropathy both legs, fusion L5-S1 in 1988 and I go to PT at least 2-3 times a year as my back or legs act up. It’s what allows me to be active.

Does the L5/S1 fusion limit you in any way in the gym or everyday activities? I'm guessing no, and you must be very, very active - you got that fusion 35 plus years ago and it sounds like there are no other fused vertebrae.

Good for you for staying active, and doing what is required to make it so. I'm 70 and have lumbar stenosis, scoliosis, listhesis, and degenerative arthritis and degenerative discs. My surgeon tells me my strong core is holding my lumbar spine together and is all that stands between me and fusion. I ran a lot of marathons and along with osteoarthritis, my lumbar spine is shot. Then again, I'm in the gym 7 days/week, do something for the core everyday and spin 5x week. I did have laminotomies at S1/L5/L4 about 10 years ago and don't have pain anymore. I just don't take it for granted.

Staying active is so important - at any age but the sooner the better. Good for you. You are an inspiration. All the best! Joe

(And is it just me, or do you notice how most guys our age, even if they're in the gym a lot, are carrying at least 25-30 lbs (usually more) of unneeded fat in the torso? I was like that and in the past year lost 30 lbs through diet, mostly eliminating all refined sugar, and doing a lot of hard cardio on the indoor bike. Just seems like guys our age think they're immune if all they do is lift weights. Fat is a killer IMO.)

Thankfully I only had the one surgery on may back and hope to have no more. I made the mistake of traveling as a road warrior in 1999 until 2015 when I retired. I did not exercise enough or do HEP enough. Sat on bad airplane seats, increased my pain, developed osteoporosis, etc. I weighed 206# when I retired in 2015 and I was 5'8". I'm now at 260 and 5'5" and maintain my weight by walking 2 miles daily and the gym 3x week. Taking care of back has become my full time job.

Ask your physician about Tizanidine - it’s a muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve impulses (pain sensations) that are sent to your brain. Tizanidine is used to treat spasticity by temporarily relaxing muscle tone.

God Bless You! They are so painful. My primary doctor treated mine with Flexeril 5 mg. I hope this helps. Praying for you. Blessings & Prayers.....

My pain management doctor prescribed Flexeril, as well. It works so well for SPASMS only, and the pain that comes with spasms .

I found it does not help with just pain. Doctor is also Leary of addiction if used too often, which I do not. All the best.

What do you know about the Botox injections? I've heard of it, but know nothing..

there is an NYTimes article about Gabapentin today, a pain killer- "The Painkiller Used for Just About Anything"-

Had it 3 times for back spasms. Didn't work for me.

Did separate me from about $1000 per session after insurance.