Muscle spasms in the shoulder can be annoying. They interfere with your everyday life activities and keep you from having a healthy exercise routine. The spasms are usually short-lived and get better with self-treatment and stretching. If your spasms occur frequently and are very painful, it is best to consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause of the spasms.

Muscle Spasms In The Shoulder

Muscle spasms in the shoulder happen when there is an involuntary muscle contraction in the muscles of the middle or upper chest or back. These can include the rotator cuff muscles or the back muscles, such as the rhomboid muscles. A rhomboid muscle spasm or strain is usually caused by overuse of your shoulder and arm from overhead activities like serving a tennis ball, reaching out for objects on a high shelf, or rowing.

You may experience pain in both or one shoulder. There are several steps you can take to prevent muscle spasms, but these methods do not always work. Muscle relaxants, essential oils for muscle pain, and stretching are the most effective ways to ease them [1].

Types Of Shoulder Muscle Spasms

The most common types of muscle spasm in the shoulder include [2]:

• Pectoral muscle spasms (chest)
• Biceps muscle spasms (front upper arm)
• Rotator cuff muscle spasms

There are four rotator cuff muscles that attach to the humerus, or upper shoulder muscle.

• Infraspinatus Muscle Spasms (Back of the Shoulder)
• Subscapularis Muscle Spasms (Front of the Shoulder)
• Trapezius Muscle Spasms (Upper Shoulder and Neck)
• Teres Minor Muscle Spasms (Back of the Shoulder Below the Infraspinatus)
• Supraspinatus Muscle Spasms (Top of the Shoulder)
• Rhomboids (Between the Shoulder Blades)

What Do Muscle Spasms Feel Like?

A spasm may manifest as a twitch in the muscle, a feeling of hardness or tightness, like a knot, and appear visibly distorted. Spasms range in intensity from mild to uncomfortable twitches, through considerable discomfort, to severe pain. Sometimes, severe muscle pain can prevent you from functioning normally. Once the contraction stops, the muscle can feel tender or sore.

Muscle spasms in the shoulder last anywhere from 15 seconds to minutes or longer. Most individuals report that they recur many times before going away.

Why Do Muscle Spasms Occur?

Several factors can cause sudden muscle spasms in your shoulder. However, the blame usually falls on the following reasons [3].

Spinal Compression

When your upper back area starts twitching, chances are you are having a spasm as a result of spinal compression. This occurs when your vertebrae start to press into one another, thereby compressing the space for other body structures, such as tendons and muscles.

Strained Muscles

Overusing your muscles can cause your ligaments to wear out more quickly. This includes repetitive movements involving your shoulder, such as lifting weights, whisking food, or playing tennis.

Poor posture

Poor posture is a gateway to various health issues, one of which is shoulder blade muscle spasms. If you frequently find yourself hunching your shoulders, it may be time to start improving your posture.

Pre-existing health condition

If you continue to have spasms in the same region over and over again, chances are you are suffering from something more severe. In such a case, it’s recommended to get a professional evaluation.

Sporting Injury

Most sports involve using your arms and legs until they get tired. In sports where you use your arms a lot, like throwball, tennis, rowing, volleyball, and swimming, getting a muscle spasm can be a sign that you’re pushing yourself too hard.

Even working out at the gym can lead to sore muscles. If you’re wondering whether it’s okay to exercise when your muscles are sore, we have a helpful guide on our site that explains what to do.

Symptoms

Being aware of the symptoms of shoulder muscle spasms can help you receive appropriate treatment [4].

Shoulder pain : Localized pain in the shoulder is a common symptom of muscle spasms. The pain can be sudden and sharp or a dull ache.

Upper back pain : Muscle spasms in the shoulder can radiate pain to the upper back, resulting in a broader area of discomfort.

Neck pain : Spasms in the shoulder muscle can extend to the neck sometimes, causing pain and stiffness in this area.

Shoulder blade pain : Pain around the shoulder blade is another commonly reported symptom, linked to muscle spasms in the surrounding muscles. Shoulder bones and shoulder sockets can also be involved.

Upper arm pain : The pain from shoulder spasms can radiate down the upper arm, affecting the joints and muscles in this region.

Stiff shoulder and back muscles : A noticeable stiffness in the back muscles and shoulders is a frequent sign of muscle spasms, which can limit the range of motion and lead to reduced mobility.

Shoulder muscle twitching : Involuntary trembling or twitching of the shoulder muscles can indicate a spasm. This twitching can be persistent or intermittent.

How Important Is Proper Diagnosis?

Obtaining the proper diagnosis is crucial for managing and treating shoulder spasms.

The treatments will depend on the underlying cause. For the best long-term results in addressing the root causes of muscle spasms, therapy is necessary. In order to achieve an accurate diagnosis, you need to see a highly skilled musculoskeletal physician, such as a rehabilitation doctor, a physical medicine physician, or a pain physician.

They should take a detailed history of your symptoms and medical issues, perform a thorough hands-on physical examination, and order a diagnostic ultrasound if necessary. Additionally, they should review any relevant medical imaging, such as MRIs or X-rays, as needed [2].

How To Get Rid Of Muscle Spasms?

When it comes to managing and treating shoulder muscle spasms, a focus is placed on reducing pain, improving movement, and addressing potential underlying causes.

The treatment approaches will vary depending on the intensity of your spasms and specific diagnosis. The list below includes some of the conventional treatment options your doctor may recommend [3].

Rest and immobilization

Resting your shoulder is one of the fundamental approaches to managing spasms. The muscles affected can start to recover and release tension when adequately rested, preventing the risk of ongoing spasming and irritation.

Medications

Skeletal muscle relaxers such as Carisoprodol, available under the brand names Soma, Soma Dol, and Som, may be recommended to alleviate the discomfort and inflammation linked with muscle spasms. It is crucial to consult a doctor before taking this muscle relaxer.

Applying heat or cold therapy

A warm compress can promote relaxation, relieving built-up muscle tension that may be linked with spasms. Alternatively, a cold pack may provide effective relief by reducing inflammation and relieving pain with a gentle numbing effect.

Massage therapy

An effective tool for managing pain caused by muscle spasms is massage therapy. Through targeted techniques, such as those employed by a skilled therapist, muscle tension can be released, and improved circulation and relaxation are promoted, thereby reducing irritation that triggers muscle spasms.

In addition, massage at home, with a massage tool, or by a family member can be a great way to soothe pain as your body’s natural pain-relieving endorphins are released, helping you relax.

Surgery

Surgical options to treat muscle spasms of the shoulder are and should be considered a last option after all other methods have failed to provide relief.

For surgery to be considered, the muscle spasms will cause significant pain and disability that interrupts your everyday life, and there must be a structural issue requiring correction.

How To Prevent Shoulder Muscle Spasm?

Below are some things you can do to lower your risk of shoulder muscle spasms [4].

Proper hydration : Make sure you drink throughout the day because both water and electrolyte-infused beverages can play a crucial role in muscle health and function.

Do more stretching : Gentle stretches can help your shoulders feel more comfortable and looser. Try weaving stretching into your day, maybe during work breaks, to help release shoulder tension.

Practice stress reduction : It’s common to hold stress in your shoulders. In addition to physical movements, doing activities that help you relax your mind, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation, can be helpful.

Change position more often : The most important thing to avoid muscle spasms is to switch positions as much as possible throughout the day, because muscles like variety.

When To See A Doctor

Muscle spasms in the shoulder often improve on their own with conservative treatments. However, if your spasms are worsening, becoming severe, or causing difficulty with everyday activities, consult a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

Shoulder muscle spasms can be painful and interfere with your daily life, but the good news is that they are often treatable. With proper care, including rest, stretching, and sometimes medication or therapy, most spasms improve over time. It’s also important to take steps to prevent them, like staying active, practicing good posture, and managing stress. If your spasms don’t go away or get worse, don’t talk to a doctor to find out what’s causing them and get the right treatment.