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• Method 1 of 2: Stop minor muscle spasms
• Method 2 of 2: Treating muscle spasms linked to medical conditions

Muscle spasms are caused by small contractions in either part of a muscle or an entire muscle. They can occur in any muscle of the body, but often in the limbs, eyelids, or diaphragm. They are usually caused by a stimulation of the muscle or a problem with a nerve. While most muscle spasms are nothing to worry about and pass quickly, there are more severe spasms that can be symptoms of serious medical conditions.

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Method 1 of 2: Stop minor muscle spasms

1. Massage your muscles. If there is a muscle that spasms because it is too tight, this can often be remedied by massage. Moving the muscle around can reduce the tension that causes the muscle to contract.
   • Gently rub the muscles that are twitching, as long as it doesn't feel uncomfortable. If the muscle starts to hurt or stops contracting, stop rubbing.
2. Get plenty of rest. Muscle spasms can occur more often when you don't get enough rest. Get enough sleep and also take enough rest during the day if you notice that you are tired.
   • If you find it difficult to get rest, try to avoid chemicals that can interfere with your sleep, such as caffeine. You should also learn a calming routine before going to bed, including an activity that makes you sleepy, such as reading and meditating.
   • There is no scientific evidence that a lack of sleep causes muscle spasms, but getting enough rest can allow your body to function better and manage nerve impulses more effectively.
3. Reduce stress. Some muscle spasms can be minimized by relaxing. While the cause of muscle spasms in the eyelids is not well understood, it has been proven that less stress can minimize it.
   • Some simple ways to reduce stress include getting regular exercise, spending more time with your friends and family, engaging in a hobby you love, and getting mental health support from a mental health professional.
4. Take as few stimulants as possible. Some muscle spasms can be limited by taking fewer stimulants, such as caffeine. Eating and drinking less caffeine can make you feel less jittery and nervous in general.
   • Instead of suddenly quitting caffeine altogether, you can cut it down gradually. For example, start with coffee with less caffeine and decaf, or switch to tea that contains less caffeine.
5. Give the spasms time to pass. There are muscle spasms that just pass over time. The clearest example is hiccups. Hiccups are a form of muscle spasm caused by spasms in the diaphragm muscles that can come and pass quickly or last for hours.
   • In general, it is best to wait 48 hours to seek medical attention for any hiccups that will not stop. Some cases of the hiccups may be related to a medical condition, such as tumors and multiple sclerosis, so get yourself checked out if the hiccups don't stop.
6. Change your medication. There are medications that are often prescribed and can cause muscle spasms. If you are taking diuretics, corticosteroids, or estrogen, these medications can cause the muscle spasms.
   • Discuss changing your medications with your doctor. You should never change or reduce your medication without first discussing it with a medical professional.

Method 2 of 2: Treating muscle spasms linked to medical conditions

1. Assess the severity of your muscle spasms. Note how long the muscle spasms last. Most muscle spasms are short-lived and do not affect your quality of life. However, if you are experiencing severe spasms or regular or continuous muscle twitching, it is wise to make an appointment with your doctor.
   • Keep track of the frequency of the spasms. If they occur daily and last for more than a minute or two, and you have no factors that explain this, such as stress, then you should contact your doctor.
2. Ask for a medical examination. If you have been experiencing persistent muscle spasms that are adversely affecting the quality of your life and that do not stop, contact your doctor and ask for an examination. Although rare, there are serious diseases that can cause muscle spasms and you want to rule them out. Your doctor will likely perform a medical exam and order special tests if he or she feels there may be an underlying medical cause.
   • Some serious, rare, medical conditions that cause muscle spasms are Tourette's syndrome, Huntington's disease, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, Isaac's syndrome, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, brain tumors, liver failure, kidney failure, nervous system disorders and genetic disorders.
3. Treat underlying conditions. Medical conditions leading to muscle spasms must be treated by a doctor. Depending on the medical condition, muscle spasms will often be managed when the condition is treated.
   • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can sometimes lead to muscle twitching. Once these imbalances are resolved, the twitching should stop.
   • There are some rare progressive neurological diseases that start with symptoms such as minor muscle spasms. In these illnesses, such as Lou Gehrig's disease, the spasms will gradually worsen and be uncontrollable.
   • Since tumors can lead to muscle spasms, surgically removing them can cause the muscle twitching to stop.
4. Take muscle spasm medication. If treatment for your underlying medical condition cannot limit muscle spasms, there are medications that can be prescribed that can specifically target the muscle twitching. Medications commonly prescribed to control muscle spasms include muscle relaxants and neuromuscular blockers.
   • Consult with your doctor whether the mentioned medications can be combined with your existing treatment plan.