Muscle relaxers decrease muscle tone by affecting skeletal muscle function. Simply put, it is a drug that will relax and relieve muscle tension.
A fact that most people don’t know is that muscle relaxers were used in South America as early as the 16th century. We have come a long way since then, and no longer use arrow tips dipped in poison to paralyze skeletal muscle. However the basic principal remains the same.
Muscle relaxers are commonly classifies in two categories.
Spasmolytics: Also referred to as centrally acting muscle as it reduces spasticity in neurological conditions. These act at cortex, spinal cord and brain stem areas and sometimes all three. Antispasmodics are generally used for neck pain, low back pain and tension headaches.
Neuromuscular Blockers: These will interfere with transmission at the neuromuscular end plate. These types of relaxants have no CNS activity. They are usually used for surgical procedures and emergency medicine for causing paralysis.
When using a muscle relaxant there are factors you should take into consideration such as efficiency, side effects, cost and tolerance. Some of the side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. Cost is a minor concern as efficiency seems to be what most people are looking for.
Flexeril, metaxalone, cyclobenzaprine and methocarbamol are commonly used for myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, low back and neck pain.
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