Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are the spine's protective response to instability or injury. Treating only the muscle misses the cause — SOT chiropractic addresses the spinal source driving the spasm.

What Is Muscle Spasms?

Muscle spasms are involuntary sustained contractions of a muscle or group of muscles. In the spine, they are almost always a secondary phenomenon — the nervous system is contracting the muscles as a protective splint around an unstable or injured spinal segment. Simply relaxing the muscles without correcting the underlying spinal problem provides only temporary relief, as the spasms return when the muscles are reloaded. Understanding muscle spasms as a symptom of spinal instability is the key to lasting treatment.

Common Symptoms

Sudden, intense muscle tightness or locking in the back or neck
Visible muscle hardness or ropiness in the affected area
Restricted movement — difficulty standing straight or turning the head
Pain that worsens with movement and eases with rest
Associated headaches when spasms occur in the cervical spine
Pain radiating into the shoulder, buttock, or hip

Common Causes & Contributing Factors

Spinal subluxation triggering protective muscle guarding
Acute strain from sudden movement or heavy lifting
Disc injury causing reflex muscle splinting
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
Postural distortions causing chronic muscle overload
Emotional tension held in the paraspinal muscles

The Pura Vida Protocol: Chiropractic Care for Muscle Spasms

SOT chiropractic identifies the spinal segment causing the muscle guarding response and corrects it at the source. Dr. Foss uses pelvic blocking and gentle spinal adjustments to stabilize the unstable segment — eliminating the neurological signal driving the spasm. Once the segment is stabilized, the muscle releases naturally. Trigger point therapy may be combined to break up chronic spasm patterns. Patients who have been living with recurring muscle spasms often discover that consistent chiropractic care eliminates the cycle entirely.

At Pura Vida Chiropractic, Dr. Foss uses Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) — a gentle, category-based system that addresses the spine, pelvis, and craniosacral rhythm as one integrated unit. SOT restores proper biomechanics, reduces nerve interference, and creates the neurological environment your body needs to heal itself.

Advanced Therapies We Combine With Chiropractic

For many patients, combining spinal correction with regenerative therapies produces faster and more lasting results. Depending on your condition, Dr. Foss may incorporate one or more of the following:

SoftWave Therapy

Patented unfocused shock waves spread over a broad treatment area to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and activate stem cells — promoting cellular regeneration and long-term pain relief.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Photobiomodulation with a 10–15W Class IV laser delivers therapeutic light energy deep into tissue, reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, and speeding healing at the cellular level.

Why Choose Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio?

Pura Vida Chiropractic is a family-friendly, bilingual (English/Spanish) clinic serving San Antonio, TX. Dr. Dan Foss is trained in Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), a comprehensive chiropractic system that addresses the whole body — not just the area of pain. We combine hands-on spinal correction with the latest regenerative technology to help patients resolve the root cause of their condition rather than masking symptoms.

We are insurance friendly with most insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Ambetter, Oscar Health, Community First, and Molina Healthcare. New patient appointments are available promptly.

Ready to Get Relief from Muscle Spasms?

Schedule your new patient appointment with Dr. Foss at Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio, TX. We'll identify the root cause and build a personalized care plan.

Book Your Appointment