Home Care Protocol for Low Back Spasm

Severe low back is often due to psoas and iliacus muscles spasm. These muscles are often referred to as "hip flexors", however they also bend and rotate the spine. A spasm of these muscles can recruit other muscles into spasm such as the abdominal muscles.
​
This type of spasm often occurs after an injury, after overworking the low back muscles and also after sitting for an extended period of time such as in a car or plane. Typically, a person with a psoas spasm will feel better while sitting, then when they arise from a chair they may need two or three steps before then can straighten to standing. Often a patient will have one side that is in spasm. These patients will either be flexed laterally or have their shoulders quite dramatically off to one side in relation to where their hips are.

About 60% of severe low back pain that I see in my Chiropractic office is due to low back muscle spasm. The psoas muscle is attached to the front of the vertebra and discs and can pull them out of place causing severe pain. A low back spasm can become chronic, so it is important to relax the muscle then improve core strength. 
​
Psoas and Iliopsoas Muscle Spasm Home Protocol
1.) Avoid Sitting especially long drives in car or on plane - If you must, don't drive and lean passenger car seat back as far as possible.
2.) Avoid walking long distances except around the house
3.) Wear a back brace if it helps 
4.)  Stretch Hip Flexor Muscles: Leg off side of bed, remember to bend opposite knee to protect/flatten low back curve. 
5.)  Do these Home Exercises to Align Your Sacroiliac Joints (2-3 x per day) to your comfort level.
6.) Gentle Core Exercises (2-3 x per day

• Do these on the floor at first, it will be easier than on the bed. 

7.) Bike on a cruiser type bike (not racing bike) for 20 - 30 minutes 1- 2 times per day. 
8.) Heat on Low Back and/or Lower Abdomen: 

• A spasm is a neurologically overactive muscle. It is not generally inflamed. However, you can have more than one thing going on so if you have increased pain after applying heat, discontinue.
• Heat: On 10 minutes, Off 10 minutes, On 10 minutes  2-3 times per day OR
• Heat 10 minutes, Ice 10 minutes, Heat 10 minutes OR
• If you prefer ice to heat: Ice: On 10 minutes, Off 10 minutes, On 10 minutes  2-3 times per day

9.) Chiropractic - Follow up every 2 -3 days until muscle spasm releases
10.) Try Muscle Relaxers:

• Not all muscle relaxers work for all people. That is true for natural muscle relaxers as well as perscription. You may need to try 2 or 3 before you find one that successfully releases the muscle spasm.
• You can be sensitive or allergic to any of these.  Discontinue if you have a negative reaction and seek medical help if the reaction is severe.

Natural muscle relaxers

• Magnesium (Oral supplement, and/or Epsom Salts bath, and/or rubbing wet Epsom Salts on your skin)
• Formula 303 (See attached for ingredients and potential drug interactions)
• CBD oil. Emory University Medical Center recommends Lazarus Naturals to their patients. I also recommend this product:  High Potency Full Spectrum CBD Tincture for muscle spasm. Side effects seem to be minimal and it is a central nervous system suppressant (it makes you relaxed and sleepy). I suggest starting with a 100 mg 1 to 2 per day and increase it to the point where it helps up to a maximum of 500 mg / day for 2-3 days. If CBD oil works as a muscle relaxer, you should not drive.

Prescription Muscle Relaxer

• Chiropractors do not subscribe medication so you will need to see an M.D. for these.
• We recommend Doctors Care in Bluffton or Sea Pine Circle Urgent Care
• As noted above, some patients do not respond to certain muscle relaxers and have to try 2 before they find one that is effective.
• If you find one that is effective take it for 2 - 3 days.
• You should not drive while taking a muscle relaxer.  

--
Kelley LeBlanc, D.C.
Kelley Chiropractic and Wellness
Village at Wexford
1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Ste K100
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 321-8119
Facebook
LinkedIn

---