MUSCLE SPASM PREVALENCE
~84% of U.S. adults (206 million) experience muscle spasms at some point in their lives
1-2
1. Deyo RA, Tsui-Wu YJ. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1998; 23:1860.
2. U.S. Census Bureau (2017).
Muscle spasms are generally self-limited to 2-4 weeks in length, with corresponding muscle relaxant treatment options reflecting acute duration of use
3
Nonspecific, low back pain is a predominant manifestation of muscle spasm, and in
most cases, has no underlying cause
4
Nonpharmacologic treatment is first recommended for muscle spasm relief, followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen), muscle relaxants, and/or diazepam or botulinum toxin in refractory cases
5-6
3. Deyo RA, Weinstein JN. N Engl J Med 2001; 344:363.
4. Chou R. In the clinic. Ann Intern Med 2014; 160:ITC6.
5. Crit Rev Phys Rehabil Med. 2013; 25(1-2): 11–22.
6. Guideline American Academy of Neurology.National Guideline Clearinghouse. Available at Accessed: January 2, 2018.
BARRIERS TO PRESCRIBING
MUSCLE
RELAXANTS
Physicians' main concerns in prescribing sedative muscle relaxants is drowsiness, followed by addiction/abuse potential, and lack of efficacy
Drowsiness
59%
2%
Dry Mouth
Other
3%
17%
Lack of
Efficacy
19%
Addiction/Abuse potential
