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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Musculoskeletal Conditions

Muscle spasm

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, muscle spasm means: A sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle that can be painful and make movement difficult.

In Turkish: kas spazmı, kasılma

How it is used

Patients often say their back has 'gone into spasm' or describe it as a cramp. Physiotherapists may feel protective muscle spasm around an injured joint, which guards it against movement. In neurology, spasms can also be part of spasticity.

Example sentences

  1. He bent down to lift his son and his back muscles went into spasm.

  2. There is muscle spasm around the neck, so movement is very limited.

Common collocations

  • go into spasm
  • protective muscle spasm
  • back spasm
  • ease the spasm
  • strainAn injury to a muscle or tendon in which fibres are overstretched or torn, often during a quick, powerful movement.
  • soft tissue massageHands-on treatment that rubs, presses and kneads muscles and other soft tissues to ease pain, tension and stiffness.
  • heat therapyTreatment that warms the body tissues, for example with a hot pack, a heat pad or warm water, to ease pain, stiffness and muscle tension.
  • spasticityIncreased stiffness and tightness in muscles caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord, which gets stronger the faster the muscle is stretched.

More terms: Musculoskeletal Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.