A deficiency in magnesium is most likely to cause muscle stiffness because this nutrient is needed to keep muscles flexible and moving efficiently, as well as relaxed.
Magnesium is essential for fully functioning muscles. It acts as a muscle relaxant, making muscles less tight and sore.
For muscles to relax they require magnesium and for muscles to contract they require calcium. Any imbalance of this, ie too much calcium or too little magnesium very much increases the tendency to spasm and contraction. Modern diets are low in magnesium and high in calcium and this will increase the tendency to spasm.
Muscle stiffness is when the muscles feel tight and difficult to move, particularly after resting. Possible causes include a sprain or strain, an infection, medication use, and bites or stings. Muscles stiffness can also be accompanied by pain, cramping, and discomfort.
If you are experiencing frequent muscle cramps and spasms, it is possible that your magnesium intake is lower than your calcium intake, resulting in your muscles being unable to relax fully between every contraction.
Very low magnesium levels may cause:
Headaches. Nighttime leg cramps. Numbness or tingling in the legs or hands. General body weakness.
Myositis (my-o-SY-tis) is a rare type of autoimmune disease that inflames and weakens muscle fibers. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's own immune system attacks itself. In the case of myositis, the immune system attacks healthy muscle tissue, which results in inflammation, swelling, pain, and eventual weakness.
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency can cause or worsen neck and back pain and muscle spasm.
Magnesium is essential for proper muscle function and acts to relieve tight, sore and cramped muscles. It controls muscle contraction and acts as a muscle relaxant. It can therefore be vital in the treatment of back pain and cramps by relaxing back muscles, kidney stress and muscular tension.
When vitamin D levels are low and the body isn't able to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, there is an increased risk of bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain and muscle weakness. In older adults, severe vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 10 ng/mL) may also contribute to an increased risk of falls.
Magnesium malate relieves muscle tension by relaxing tense areas. It is for this reason it is so effective at helping to ease muscle spasms. It also supports hundreds of enzyme processes inside the body, and helps the cells in your body produce and use energy.
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare acquired neurological disorder that most often causes progressive muscle stiffness (rigidity) and repeated episodes of painful muscle spasms.
"But, if you have localized pain that is sharp, limits your mobility, changes your gait, affects your range of motion or is accompanied by significant weakness, it could be a sign of a serious injury that needs treatment."
The greatest change in ROM with a static stretch occurs between 15 and 30 seconds;13,14 most authors suggest that 10 to 30 seconds is sufficient for increasing flexibility. In addition, no increase in muscle elongation occurs after 2 to 4 repetitions.
Any treatment that only addresses the muscles will not give long-term or lasting relief from spasms. If you have been treated for muscle tightness or spasms without lasting relief it is time to seek an evaluation for joint instability and potential treatment plan from a Prolotherapy specialist.
Myotonia occurs when your muscles aren't able to relax after they contract. Genetic changes usually cause myotonia, which can appear at birth or any age. Symptoms vary depending on the type of myotonia. You can manage symptoms with lifestyle changes, medications, supportive devices and physical therapy.
But my muscles are already tight, that must mean that they are already too strong/overactive? This train of thought is in the vast majority of cases, incorrect. Muscles that feel tight are generally short and weak. The common misconception surrounding strength training is that it will make your muscles really tight.
Carolyn Dean, the following common factors can deplete the body's magnesium and/or increase the demand for magnesium: Supplements and drugs containing caffeine. Diuretics. Certain medications, including proton pump inhibitors, asthma medications, birth control pills, insulin, digitalis, and certain antibiotics.