Muscle spasms are very common. They can happen in any part of the body, but they tend to affect the following:
handsfeetarms thighsabdomen intercostal muscles, which are around the rib cageMuscle pain, fatigue, and overuse are the most common causes of muscle spasms. Other causes include stress or anxiety, which can lead to muscle twitches in the face. Trapped nerves can result in spasms in the back.
Athletes who do not warm up before exercise or exercise in very hot conditions may also experience muscle spasms. Charley horse, for example, is a term people often use to describe spasms in runners’ calf muscles. Not drinking enough water before exercise can also cause muscle spasms.
Some people are more vulnerable than others to muscle spasms. Those who are most at risk are:
older adultsathletespeople with overweight or obesitypregnant peoplePeople who he certain health conditions, such as nerve disorders or thyroid-related problems, also tend to experience a higher-than-erage frequency of muscle spasms.
Muscle spasms are not usually anything to worry about, but in some cases, they can be a sign of an underlying neurological health condition. Neurological health conditions affect the brain or spinal cord, which is responsible for making the muscles move.