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What kind of a doctor deals with muscle spasms?

Posted by ksdm @ksdm, Jul 27, 2024

Does anyone know what kind of a doctor deals with muscle spasms? I get one in one spot on my back about every three months. They are unbearably painful and they last for 4-6 weeks during which time I have to sit in my chair with my heating pad and do nothing. I am 82 and this is not how I planned to spend my last days! I cry.

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daze | @daze | Mar 17 3:31pm

PT exercises did help mine. I also had dry needling done by DPT. I prefer acupuncture, but it is unavailable where I now live. The dry needling did help but I found it painful compared to acupuncture.
I also use Tiger Balm and 4% lidocaine. Breath work and relaxation exercise take a while to learn but do help

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sbtheplumber1 | @sbtheplumber1 | Mar 18 1:15am
In reply to @armel174 "Yes muscle spasms can be very painful I get them in my legs and my hands..." + (show)
@armel174

Yes muscle spasms can be very painful I get them in my legs and my hands occasionally and all these are very uncomfortable I have to rub very gently then put cream a patches on them I find that certain foods and drinks trigger them mine are Cokes lemon sweet tea and sometimes it's how long or how I sit and how I get up. Having scoliosis degenerative disc and arthritis doesn't help. I have done physical therapy for my back but haven't found anyone to help with muscle spasms. My Ortho Dr gave me a pain shot but my body doesn't deal well with those , they make me sick for days. I'm looking for a Dr that can help.

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@armel174 I know it works for the cramps in your calves , it’s better if you have someone else to do it if possible . Take the pinky side of your hand and chop the middle of your foot it will knock Charlie horses out almost everytime. I’m having spasms on the back of my arm now curiosity has me wanting to try hitting the middle of my hand to see if it disappears

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terrylis | @terrylis | Mar 19 11:37am

I get them in stomach muscles. Very painful lasting a few minutes. My GP prescribed SPASMOMEN. I’m in Portugal so probably different in USA. The drug involved is otilonium bromide. She also recommended drinking more water. It’s now much more manageable. Less intense prolonged. Hope this helps.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Mar 21 5:43am

This is a very late reply so sorry if it's been covered.

I experienced periodic, extreme cramping in my hamstrings all the way down to my calves and feet. And I'm 70 y/o and in the gym everyday. I'm very fit and I stretch. I have had sciatica on two occasions and the cramps felt like this but lasted much longer.

At my ortho clinic I was referred to a "Dr. of Physical Medicine" - I think they were previously known as Sports Drs and this is misleading because they treat much more.

She ordered an MRI and the conclusion was that my lower back muscles were tight and this caused very short bursts of pressure on my sciatic nerve and hence, the cramping.

There is a chair at the gym - I grasp the handles overhand and roll back as far as I can. I hold for sixty seconds. Squatting is another way to stretch the lower back, as far as old-fashioned toe touches, or a far as you can bend forward.

Hope this helps. Be well everyone.

Joe

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lisasamson | @lisasamson | Mar 22 8:39am

Massage therapy can be very helpful.

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loltinkerbell | @loltinkerbell | Mar 26 8:23am
In reply to @armel174 "Yes muscle spasms can be very painful I get them in my legs and my hands..." + (show)
@armel174

Yes muscle spasms can be very painful I get them in my legs and my hands occasionally and all these are very uncomfortable I have to rub very gently then put cream a patches on them I find that certain foods and drinks trigger them mine are Cokes lemon sweet tea and sometimes it's how long or how I sit and how I get up. Having scoliosis degenerative disc and arthritis doesn't help. I have done physical therapy for my back but haven't found anyone to help with muscle spasms. My Ortho Dr gave me a pain shot but my body doesn't deal well with those , they make me sick for days. I'm looking for a Dr that can help.

Jump to this post

Try the pain rehab clinic at the Mayo. I have similar issues as you. Didn't take them fully away as there's no cure but they've diminished to a bearable level.

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