Back and Neck Muscle Spasm Treatment in Fort Lauderdale
Non-surgical care for muscle spasms and tension with Dr. Michael Erdman, fellowship-trained in interventional spine and pain
A muscle spasm is a sudden, tight squeeze of a muscle that you cannot relax on your own. In the back or neck, it can stop you from bending, turning or standing up straight, and it can hurt a lot.
At the Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM), Dr. Michael Erdman at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale finds out what is making your muscles tighten and builds a plan that may include therapy, medicine and guided injections.
Important Notice from IROSM: Your treatment plan is made for you by Dr. Michael Erdman. After an exam at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale, he will tell you which option fits your back or neck, including when a surgical opinion is the better choice.
What Causes Back and Neck Muscle Spasms?
A spasm is often the body’s way of guarding a hurt area. The muscle tightens to stop you from moving in a way that could cause more pain. Common causes include:
Muscle Strain
Lifting, twisting, sports or a sudden move can overstretch the back or neck muscles.
Posture and Stress
Long hours at a desk or phone, poor sleep and stress keep muscles tight. This is often called muscle tension.
A Joint or Disc Problem
Wear in the small joints of the spine or a bulging disc can make nearby muscles tighten to protect the area.
A Pinched Nerve
An irritated nerve can cause spasms along with pain, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg.
Spasms in the lower back can also come from the SI joint, where the spine meets the pelvis. For spasms between the shoulder blades, see mid-back pain treatment.
When to Worry About a Back Spasm
Most back spasms are not dangerous and ease with time and simple care. Go to the emergency room if back or neck pain comes with:
Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs
New weakness in the legs or arms
Fever or chills
Chest pain or shortness of breath
A serious fall or accident
See a doctor soon if spasms keep coming back, the pain is getting worse, it wakes you at night, or pain travels down an arm or leg.
What You Can Do at Home
Heat: a heating pad or warm shower can help the muscle relax.
Keep moving gently: short walks and easy stretches are usually better than staying in bed.
Check your setup: the height of your screen, chair and pillow can keep neck and back muscles tight.
Over-the-counter medicine: if it is safe for you, a short course of an anti-inflammatory may help.
If spasms do not ease, or keep coming back, it is worth finding out what is causing them.
Muscle Spasm Treatment in Fort Lauderdale
Dr. Erdman asks when the spasms started, what sets them off and whether pain spreads. He checks how your spine moves, your strength, feeling and reflexes, and looks for tight, tender knots in the muscles. Imaging is ordered only when it is needed. Options at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale may include:
Therapy and exercise: stretching, strengthening the core and upper back, and posture training. This is often the first step.
Medicine: short-term anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxer medicine, if safe for you, with a focus on avoiding opioids.
Trigger point injections: a small injection into a tight, painful knot in the muscle to help it relax.
Guided spine injections: facet joint injections or nerve blocks when a spine joint is the source, and epidural injections when a nerve is irritated.
Other options at IROSM include MLS laser therapy. Not every treatment is right for everyone, and results vary. Dr. Erdman will tell you at your visit which options fit you.
Start with simple care: A U.S. doctors’ guideline says most new low back pain gets better over time, whatever the treatment. It advises starting with care that does not use drugs, such as heat, massage, acupuncture or spinal manipulation. If medicine is needed, it suggests an anti-inflammatory or a muscle relaxer. Qaseem A, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):514-530. View the study.
Muscle relaxers help only a little: A review of 49 studies found that common muscle relaxers eased new low back pain only slightly in the first two weeks. The change was small, the studies were weak, and people who took them may have had more side effects. Cashin AG, et al. Efficacy, acceptability, and safety of muscle relaxants for adults with non-specific low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2021;374:n1446. View the study.
Back Muscle Spasm Treatment in Fort Lauderdale
Providing care for back and neck muscle spasms and muscle tension to residents in Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Plantation, Pompano Beach, and Broward County. For our Hialeah office, se habla español.
Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM)
3333 West Commercial Blvd, Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (954) 751-6990
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Spasms
What causes muscle spasms in the back?
What causes muscle spasms in the back?
Most back spasms come from a strained muscle, posture, stress or a muscle guarding a sore joint or disc. Less often, a pinched nerve is the cause. An exam helps find the source.
How do I stop a back spasm?
How do I stop a back spasm?
Heat, gentle movement and short walks often help. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory may help if it is safe for you. If spasms keep coming back, see a doctor to find the cause.
Do muscle relaxers help back spasms?
Do muscle relaxers help back spasms?
They may help a little for a short time, but they can make you sleepy or dizzy. Research shows the benefit is small. Dr. Erdman explains whether medicine fits your plan.
What is a trigger point injection?
What is a trigger point injection?
It is a small injection into a tight, painful knot in a muscle. It usually contains a numbing medicine and helps the muscle relax so you can do your exercises.
When is a back spasm serious?
When is a back spasm serious?
Go to the emergency room if back pain follows a serious fall, or comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, new leg weakness, fever or chest pain.
Is back spasm treatment covered by insurance?
Is back spasm treatment covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your plan and the treatment. Office visits, imaging, therapy and many injections are often covered. Our team explains costs clearly before any treatment begins.
Do I need a referral to be seen at IROSM?
Do I need a referral to be seen at IROSM?
It depends on your insurance. Many HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans need a referral from your primary care doctor before you see a specialist. Please check with your plan, or call us at (954) 751-6990 before your visit to confirm.
Find Out What Is Causing Your Muscle Spasms
Board-certified · Fellowship-trained in interventional spine and pain · Fort Lauderdale & Hialeah
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Erdman at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale for a full exam and a clear treatment plan. Same-week appointments are usually available.
Medically reviewed by:Dr. Michael Erdman Institute: Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM)
Last reviewed: September 2026
Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes and does not constitute formal medical advice. Individual patient outcomes will vary. Back muscle spasm treatment at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale requires a clinical examination by Dr. Michael Erdman to establish candidacy. Serving Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Plantation, and surrounding Broward County communities.
