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What Causes Back Pain And Muscle Spasms After A Massage Therapy?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Jun 2014
Question: I am a healthy 33 -year old male, non-obese. Last night at 6pm I saw a massage therapist who cracked my back. Around 10pm I was stretching my legs muscles, then my latissimus dorsi, then a thoracic lumbar stretch for 25 seconds each side (which I have done a few times before), then my glutes. Almost immediately after stretching my glutes, which I felt were tight, my entire back along the spine felt pain. I have never experienced any chronic back pain before, nor have had any back injuries, nor does my family have a history of back problems.

This morning my back still hurt a little. I was standing making breakfast when I suddenly felt a sharp pain, like a spasm, shoot up from my lower back to my upper back. Additionally, my left shoulder hurts more than normal (a few years ago I injured it but since then it has not hurt). Sometimes poor postural control can affect the shoulders, so I am wondering if maybe that's all it is.

I took some naproxen sodium after I felt the pain. What should I do now? Can I still go for a light jog this morning?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Severe muscle spasm is the cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing
After going through the detail description of your suffering, this problem started once you had that massage? Do you have difficulty in bending or looking backwards, if yes this suggests severe muscle spasm?
My advice for you would be hot water fomentation, local analgesic gel preparation like flexabenz, take rest that is avoid unnecessary sitting or standing for few days. If you have to sit then it should not be more than 30-45 minutes. You may have Ibuprofen along with muscle relaxant like metaxolone, thiocochicoside under medical guidance. I hope you will be alright in 4-5 days time. Beside this if possible you may have physiotherapy inform of short wave diathermy or TENS.
It’s not advisable to go for jogging as it may exacerbate your pain. In future do not over do the stretching exercises and go slow in a gentle way.

Hope this helps.
Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Regards
Dr. Chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mukesh Chugh

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :1997

Answered : 1619 Questions

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What Causes Back Pain And Muscle Spasms After A Massage Therapy?

Brief Answer: Severe muscle spasm is the cause Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing After going through the detail description of your suffering, this problem started once you had that massage? Do you have difficulty in bending or looking backwards, if yes this suggests severe muscle spasm? My advice for you would be hot water fomentation, local analgesic gel preparation like flexabenz, take rest that is avoid unnecessary sitting or standing for few days. If you have to sit then it should not be more than 30-45 minutes. You may have Ibuprofen along with muscle relaxant like metaxolone, thiocochicoside under medical guidance. I hope you will be alright in 4-5 days time. Beside this if possible you may have physiotherapy inform of short wave diathermy or TENS. It’s not advisable to go for jogging as it may exacerbate your pain. In future do not over do the stretching exercises and go slow in a gentle way. Hope this helps. Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query. Regards Dr. Chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh