Constant muscle spasms whenever I try to exercise?
February 1, 2010 2:29 PM Subscribe
Why do I have CONSTANT muscle spasms when I attempt to work out?
Background: I am a fit, mid twenties individual and for the last 3 or 4 years I have averaged weight training 3 or 4 times per week and remain fairly active during weekends. Due to work and personal circumstances over the last 6 months my gym schedule dwindled but I continued to work out twice a week or so at home. For the last 2 or 3 months I have tried 4 times to ease back into my old workout - fairly intense cross-fit type training...but have been thwarted by INTENSE muscle spasms that last for about 2 weeks...preventing me from doing any exercise.
The pattern looks like this: Attempt to ease back into working out...moderate push ups / pullups / body weight exercises. One day passes...the next day I reach for something, or bend to tie my shoe, or hug someone and BAM - a muscle (usually in my back) just tweaks like crazy, creating terrible pain. It feels like it suddenly contracts. This literally causes me to walk around like an old man for about a week and a half as anything I do, even breathing in deeply, affects the muscle and causes pain. This seems to happen every time I try to get back into working out seriously.
This is becoming a trend. I have never experienced anything like this. I have worked out HARD over the last few years, pulled muscles, had tight and sore muscles etc...but never this sort of spasm thing. In the meantime I am doing daily yoga and stretching...but I still do have spasms on occasion even practicing yoga. I would like to get back into working out as I once did...but this is just bizarre.
What could cause this? I have no health insurance currently...so unfortunately I can't see a doctor. The only major difference in my life is that my intake of caffeine is higher these days than it was a few months ago. I am trying to quit but drink about 3 or 4 cups of coffee per day. Could the caffeine somehow be dehydrating the muscles?
I'm at a loss and would love some input! thanks!
Background: I am a fit, mid twenties individual and for the last 3 or 4 years I have averaged weight training 3 or 4 times per week and remain fairly active during weekends. Due to work and personal circumstances over the last 6 months my gym schedule dwindled but I continued to work out twice a week or so at home. For the last 2 or 3 months I have tried 4 times to ease back into my old workout - fairly intense cross-fit type training...but have been thwarted by INTENSE muscle spasms that last for about 2 weeks...preventing me from doing any exercise.
The pattern looks like this: Attempt to ease back into working out...moderate push ups / pullups / body weight exercises. One day passes...the next day I reach for something, or bend to tie my shoe, or hug someone and BAM - a muscle (usually in my back) just tweaks like crazy, creating terrible pain. It feels like it suddenly contracts. This literally causes me to walk around like an old man for about a week and a half as anything I do, even breathing in deeply, affects the muscle and causes pain. This seems to happen every time I try to get back into working out seriously.
This is becoming a trend. I have never experienced anything like this. I have worked out HARD over the last few years, pulled muscles, had tight and sore muscles etc...but never this sort of spasm thing. In the meantime I am doing daily yoga and stretching...but I still do have spasms on occasion even practicing yoga. I would like to get back into working out as I once did...but this is just bizarre.
What could cause this? I have no health insurance currently...so unfortunately I can't see a doctor. The only major difference in my life is that my intake of caffeine is higher these days than it was a few months ago. I am trying to quit but drink about 3 or 4 cups of coffee per day. Could the caffeine somehow be dehydrating the muscles?
I'm at a loss and would love some input! thanks!
Back injuries take a loooong time to heal (> 6 months). If you tweaked your back you may be re-aggravating the injury with your current exercise plan.
I've found paying cash ($50 - 100 per visit) to sports physiotherapists to be a reasonable way of getting treatment for sports injuries. Don't go to a physio clinic that specializes in geriatric rehab.
posted by benzenedream at 2:52 PM on February 1, 2010
I've found paying cash ($50 - 100 per visit) to sports physiotherapists to be a reasonable way of getting treatment for sports injuries. Don't go to a physio clinic that specializes in geriatric rehab.
posted by benzenedream at 2:52 PM on February 1, 2010
I had weird exercise-related muscle spasms last year which I couldn't figure out for ages. Then I realised I was drinking a lot more water than previously and my electrolytes were all out of balance (basically I gave myself mild hyponatremia). So I moderated my water intake and started drinking small amounts of powerade or similar before exercising and they went away. Such a relief.
Now my spasms tended to be during exercise, although I did have them sometimes afterwards, and generally felt more like shin splints or tight muscles. I did have full on cramps resulting in ongoing pain (as you're describing) a few times but that was much less common. So this might not fit you at all. But electrolyte imbalance is a fairly common cause of muscle cramps overall plus it's easy enough to test out. Caffeine is a diuretic and may also be screwing up your hydration, so look at you overall hydration/electrolyte balance and see if there's something small you can try (like an isotonic sports drink) while also looking into the other suggestions.
posted by shelleycat at 3:03 PM on February 1, 2010
Now my spasms tended to be during exercise, although I did have them sometimes afterwards, and generally felt more like shin splints or tight muscles. I did have full on cramps resulting in ongoing pain (as you're describing) a few times but that was much less common. So this might not fit you at all. But electrolyte imbalance is a fairly common cause of muscle cramps overall plus it's easy enough to test out. Caffeine is a diuretic and may also be screwing up your hydration, so look at you overall hydration/electrolyte balance and see if there's something small you can try (like an isotonic sports drink) while also looking into the other suggestions.
posted by shelleycat at 3:03 PM on February 1, 2010
Are you drinking enough water? I sometimes get bad muscle cramps when I'm very dehydrated. Maybe you should cut back on the caffeine.
posted by Lobster Garden at 3:13 PM on February 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Lobster Garden at 3:13 PM on February 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, just remember, you CAN go to a doctor and just pay cash for a visit. THat really shouldn't cost very much. It might be worth it because he could prescribe muscle relaxants (they're very inexpensive).
posted by mmf at 3:25 PM on February 1, 2010
posted by mmf at 3:25 PM on February 1, 2010
Sounds like a mineral deficiency to me. The most likely (and easiest to fool around with) is a calcium deficiency. How is your dairy intake? Try drinking milk four to six hours before working out. If that helps, add more dairy to your daily diet. Not a milk drinker? Get some Coral Calcium from the corner store. Don't overdo it and give it a week or so to show any signs of helping. There are other minerals that can affect muscle performance such as potassium, but I wouldn't mess around with those without strict oversight by a doctor.
You say you are down to 3 or 4 cups of coffee a day. Are you paying attention to the other things in your life that have caffeine? Sodas, energy drinks, hot chocolate ......there are many things that have caffeine included. Read the label before you consume.
posted by Old Geezer at 4:06 PM on February 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
You say you are down to 3 or 4 cups of coffee a day. Are you paying attention to the other things in your life that have caffeine? Sodas, energy drinks, hot chocolate ......there are many things that have caffeine included. Read the label before you consume.
posted by Old Geezer at 4:06 PM on February 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
This could be a number of things as some people have mentioned: low in minerals from not getting enough or from drinking too much water, if you don't get enough water you could be dehydrated, caffiene can dehydrate also but the stimulants can also work a number on your nervous system or your nervous system could be fried out from overwork. My money would be on a pinched nerve, possibly due to something worse than you may realize (blown out spinal disc). Muscle spasms in themselves are usually not a weeklong debilitating injury.
Don't workout again until you get this checked out, and preferably by somone who is going to run at least an x-ray machine over your spine.
posted by P.o.B. at 6:00 PM on February 1, 2010
Don't workout again until you get this checked out, and preferably by somone who is going to run at least an x-ray machine over your spine.
posted by P.o.B. at 6:00 PM on February 1, 2010
Be careful because when you spasm, you can get microtears that make it harder for the muscle to heal. They really don't know what causes muscle spasms, some think it is even due to an electrolyte imbalance. If you can afford it, get a massage. The people I work out with use a homeopathic remedy called Cramp 911. I would recommend seeing a psysiotherapist, too. Good luck!
posted by ahwatukeegirl at 6:34 AM on February 2, 2010
posted by ahwatukeegirl at 6:34 AM on February 2, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
See this for a list of back exercises.
But I would speak with a physical therapist and/or trainer first.
posted by dfriedman at 2:49 PM on February 1, 2010