Is there a correlation between high caffeine intake and hypertonicity of the spinal erector muscles?

From the Guidelines

High caffeine intake is likely to contribute to hypertonicity of the spinal erector muscles, and reducing caffeine consumption may help alleviate muscle tension in the back. Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system and can increase muscle tension throughout the body, including the spinal erector muscles that run along the spine 1. When consumed in large amounts (typically more than 400mg daily, equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee), caffeine can heighten nervous system activity, leading to increased muscle tone and potential discomfort. This effect is particularly noticeable in people who are already prone to muscle tension or anxiety.

Key Considerations

• The mean caffeine intake across all age groups is approximately 165 mg/d, with coffee being the primary source of caffeine 1.
• Reducing caffeine intake to less than 200mg daily may help decrease muscle tension in the back.
• Staying well-hydrated, incorporating regular stretching of the back muscles, and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or gentle yoga can also help alleviate hypertonic spinal erectors.
• The effects of reducing caffeine may take several days to become noticeable as the body adjusts to lower stimulant levels.

Recommendations

• Gradually reduce caffeine intake to less than 200mg daily.
• Incorporate regular stretching of the back muscles.
• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or gentle yoga.
• Stay well-hydrated to help alleviate muscle tension. According to a recent systematic review, consumption of ≤400 mg caffeine/d in healthy adults is not associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, behavioral effects, reproductive and developmental effects, acute effects, or bone status 1. However, it is essential to consider individual tolerance and sensitivity to caffeine, as well as potential interactions with other substances.

From the Research

Correlation between High Caffeine Intake and Hypertonicity of the Spinal Erector Muscles

• There is limited direct evidence to suggest a correlation between high caffeine intake and hypertonicity of the spinal erector muscles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• A study on the effects of caffeine on spinal excitability found that caffeine increased spinal excitability by 43 +/- 17% 2.
• However, this study did not specifically investigate the effects of caffeine on the spinal erector muscles.
• Another study on the effects of caffeine on exercise performance found that caffeine can improve muscular endurance, movement velocity, and muscular strength, but did not investigate its effects on spinal erector muscle tone 3.
• A review of the literature on the lumbar erector spinae flexion-relaxation phenomenon found that persistent activation of the lumbar erector spinae musculature may be associated with chronic low back pain, but did not investigate the effects of caffeine on this phenomenon 5.
• Overall, while there is some evidence to suggest that caffeine can affect muscle tone and excitability, there is no direct evidence to suggest a correlation between high caffeine intake and hypertonicity of the spinal erector muscles.

Potential Mechanisms

• Caffeine may increase spinal excitability, which could potentially lead to increased muscle tone in the spinal erector muscles 2.
• However, the effects of caffeine on muscle tone and excitability are complex and may depend on a variety of factors, including the dose and duration of caffeine intake, as well as individual differences in caffeine sensitivity and metabolism 3, 4.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the potential mechanisms by which caffeine may affect the spinal erector muscles and to investigate the correlation between high caffeine intake and hypertonicity of these muscles.