@carmilla First, let me say welcome to Connect. Muscle spasms do cause issues when you are a spine patient. I had a similar surgery to yours, a collapsed C5/C6 disc with bone spurs pressing into my spinal cord. At the time my spine problem was becoming known, I was working with a physical therapist doing myofascial release to loosen all the overly tight muscles and fascia. We all develop patterns of tightness, and that changes the alignment of bones which in turn may stress ligaments or tendons attached to the bones and cause pain or wear and tear. I had been addressing fascial tightness for several years at the time I had spine surgery because I was treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I had to stop for healing time of the fusion for a few months, but after that, I was able to resume myofascial release.

Another issue after surgery is surgical scar tissue than can attach to the other tightness you may already have in your body. Trigger points represent hardened desiccated tissue. MFR can release some dried out tissue, but trigger points may be too far advanced to regular MFR work. MFR works by allowing the fascia (which connects everything in the body) to reorganize itself. It is a somewhat fluid cobweb like tissue that can change from semi solid to semi liquid and reassemble in a different arrangement which then allows more movement, lessens pain, allows waste products to be flushed out, and conducts electricity for muscle function. MFR can loosen surgical scar tissue. Periodically, my surgical incision area tightens up, and I stretch it out.

It is still a bit early in your recovery at 4 months. Maximum improvement takes longer. I know that doing MFR helped me have a better recovery from my surgery. Since your doctor has released your restrictions, you may be able to try this. There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/

Here is our discussion on MFR. The first pages have lots of links to information:

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Has your surgeon authorized physical therapy for you? Have you heard of myofacscial release before?