Those who have back or neck pain can often go into muscle spasms. The chest, neck, upper back and lower back have large muscle groups, and their spasms are usually caused by injury or the development of arthritis. Some hormone-related diseases like diabetes, anemia, kidney disease and thyroid issues can also trigger spasms.
Nervous system diseases are another cause of muscle spasms. Things like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries can be a cause of muscle spasms. Kidney stones passing can also affect the smooth muscles in the walls of the ureter, causing them to spasm and creating pain.
Internally, smooth muscles can spasm and cause significant pain. When a hollow internal organ that is filled with fluid or ear is squeezed by a muscle spasm, it creates pain that comes and goes. Muscles that surround the esophagus can be irritated with reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD. Similarly, diarrhea can cause muscles in the colon wall to spasm before a watery bowel movement, and menstrual cramps can cause the uterine walls to spasm.
Even the heart can spasm. Coronary arteries have smooth muscle in their walls that can spasm, causing chest pain. This can be triggered by stress, alcohol withdrawal, stimulants or narrowing of the blood vessels.
WHAT OCCURS
Pain is the biggest factor in a muscle spasm, particularly if it is forceful. Spasms can occur in an entire muscle or just in parts of a muscle, or in adjacent muscles. They usually occur abruptly and are relatively short-lived. Most spasms are relieved by gently stretching the muscle.
Other forms of muscle spasms come and go, a process termed colicky pain. This is usually associated with such conditions as diarrhea, gallbladder pain, menstrual cramps and/or passing kidney stones.