Involuntary muscle spasms at rest: treatments

Involuntary resting muscle spasms or myoclonus are sudden, uncontrolled muscle contractions that occur while a person is inactive, whether sitting, lying down or at complete rest. Although they are usually harmless, they can interfere with daily activities and affect the sufferer’s quality of life, especially if they are recurrent or intense.

What are the symptoms of myoclonus?

Symptoms of involuntary muscle spasms can vary depending on the underlying cause. Some of the most common include:

• Sudden, unexpected jerky movements: Rapid muscle contractions that may affect a specific body part, such as an arm or leg, or be generalized.
• Lack of control: The spasms are involuntary, and the person cannot predict or control when they will occur.
• Short duration: Spasms are usually brief and sudden, lasting fractions of a second.
• Variable frequency: They may occur occasionally or repeatedly, and their frequency may increase with stress, fatigue or certain sensory stimuli.
• Painless: Generally, myoclonus is not painful, although it can be annoying or interfere with daily activities.

What causes these involuntary muscle spasms?

Myoclonus can be caused by various conditions and factors affecting the central or peripheral nervous system. Some of the most common causes include:

• Nervous system injury or disease: Damage to the brain or spinal cord, such as after traumatic brain injury, stroke, or neurodegenerative diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease), can cause myoclonus.
• Epilepsy: Myoclonus can be a symptom of certain types of epilepsy, especially in forms such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, which causes rapid, involuntary muscle spasms.
• Nervous system problems: Diseases that affect the brain can trigger these spasms.
• Metabolic disorders: Imbalances in the body, such as kidney or liver failure, can accumulate toxins that affect the nervous system and cause myoclonus. In addition, a lack of certain nutrients (e.g. deficiency of electrolytes such as potassium or magnesium) may also contribute.
• Side effects of medications: Certain medications, especially those that affect the nervous system, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics or those used to treat epilepsy, can trigger muscle spasms.
• Sleep disorders: Hypnagogic myoclonus (muscle twitching) frequently occurs during sleep onset, and although common and usually benign, may be considered a form of myoclonus.
• Genetic inheritance: Some myoclonus have a genetic basis and are symptoms of inherited disorders such as Huntington’s disease or myotonic dystrophy.
• Exposure to toxins: Certain chemicals or toxins, such as heavy metals or pesticides, can also affect the nervous system and cause involuntary spasms.

How are myoclonus diagnosed?

Diagnosis of myoclonus begins with a detailed clinical evaluation, including a thorough physical and neurological examination. Once this initial assessment is completed, various tests are used to identify the underlying cause of the myoclonus:

1. Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test measures electrical activity in the brain. It is useful in detecting whether myoclonus is related to epilepsy or other brain disorders that cause abnormal electrical activity.
2. Electromyography (EMG): EMG records electrical activity in muscles and helps to analyze the nature and origin of muscle spasms, determining whether they come from nerves or muscles.
3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT): These imaging tests detect lesions or abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord, such as tumors, infections or structural damage that could be causing the myoclonus.
4. Blood and urine tests: Laboratory tests can identify metabolic disorders, electrolyte imbalances, kidney or liver failure, or infections that could be behind the muscle spasms.
5. Genetic testing: In some cases, especially if hereditary diseases are suspected, genetic testing may be performed to identify mutations that cause neurological disorders associated with myoclonus.
6. Brain function tests (PET or SPECT): These advanced imaging tests can help visualize brain activity and detect areas of the brain that are not functioning correctly.

Accurate diagnosis of myoclonus is essential to establish appropriate treatment, as therapeutic options will depend on the underlying cause identified.

Is there any treatment for involuntary muscle spasms at rest?

There are treatments for involuntary muscle spasms at rest, but, as we have seen, the treatment choice depends on the underlying cause of the spasms. Therapeutic approaches include medication, physical therapies and, in some cases, lifestyle changes.

Medicines

• Antiepileptic drugs: Drugs such as valproate, levetiracetam or clonazepam may help reduce spasms in people whose myoclonus is related to epilepsy.
• Benzodiazepines: Medicines such as diazepam and clonazepam are sedatives that can help relax muscles and control involuntary spasms.
• Anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxants: In some cases, muscle relaxants (such as baclofen) can effectively relieve spasms caused by muscle disorders or local spasms.
• Botulinum toxin (Botox): In some specific cases, botulinum toxin injections can be used to reduce focal or localized spasms by temporarily weakening the affected muscles.

Physical therapy

• Stretching and strengthening exercises: Physiotherapy can help relieve spasms and improve muscle control. Regular stretching and strengthening exercises can relax muscles and improve muscle function.
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists can offer strategies to manage involuntary movements and improve quality of life for people whose spasms interfere with daily activities.

Lifestyle changes

• Stress management: Stress and anxiety can aggravate muscle spasms. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing and other stress management strategies can be helpful.
• Improve sleep quality: Nocturnal myoclonus or spasms that occur at rest can be improved with changes in sleep habits, such as maintaining a regular sleep routine and avoiding stimulants before bedtime.
• Supplementation, hydration and good nutrition: A balanced diet supplemented by food supplements such as or G7® Neuro Health , which contribute to the proper functioning of the nervous system, can help to improve or even prevent the underlying causes of these involuntary muscle spasms.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

In some severe and difficult to treat cases, such as drug-resistant myoclonus, more advanced procedures may be used, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves the implantation of electrodes in the brain to control involuntary movements.

In any of the above cases, treatment must be personalized, so it is always advisable to consult a neurologist or specialist to receive a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to the specific cause of the muscle spasms.

Controlling involuntary muscle spasms at rest

Involuntary muscle spasms at rest can have multiple causes, ranging from simple nutritional deficiencies to more complex neurological disorders. Proper diagnosis is key to determining the most effective treatment; in many cases, lifestyle changes combined with medication may be sufficient to control them. However, in more severe situations, advanced therapies may offer relief.