Muscle relaxers are frequently prescribed to treat a range of painful conditions involving muscle spasms and tension. But while they can offer much-needed relief, many patients are unclear about how they work—and whether they’re safe for long-term use.

According to Dr. Jordan Sudberg, a leading pain management specialist, muscle relaxers should be used with care and only as part of a broader treatment plan. “They can be highly effective in the short term,” he explains, “but they’re not a cure-all. Understanding their role, limitations, and side effects is essential.”

In this post, Dr. Sudberg breaks down the essentials of muscle relaxers: what they are, when they’re used, and what you need to know before taking them.

What Are Muscle Relaxers?

Muscle relaxers (or muscle relaxants) are a group of prescription medications designed to reduce muscle spasms, relieve tightness, and ease the associated pain that often limits movement and daily activities. They are commonly used in cases of acute musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, or chronic disorders where muscles become overactive or contracted. These medications don’t heal the underlying issue directly, but they play an important role in breaking the cycle of pain and spasm that can make recovery difficult.

They work by targeting the nervous system to either depress nerve signals traveling from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles or to alter how the brain perceives pain signals coming from the body. By interrupting these pathways, muscle relaxers can help reduce discomfort and improve function in the short term.

“Muscle relaxers don’t target the muscles directly,” explains Dr. Sudberg. “Instead, they work through the brain and spinal cord to calm overactive muscle responses and help patients regain mobility while they heal.”

Muscle relaxers are broadly classified into two main categories, each working differently:

Centrally acting muscle relaxants – These medications act on the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to reduce nerve excitability and decrease muscle tone. They are most commonly prescribed for acute muscle pain due to strains, sprains, or injuries. Examples include cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), which is often used for back and neck pain; carisoprodol (Soma), which carries a higher risk of dependence; and methocarbamol (Robaxin), which is generally well tolerated for short-term relief.

Direct-acting muscle relaxants – Unlike centrally acting types, these drugs act directly on the muscle fibers themselves to reduce excessive contraction. The most notable example is dantrolene, which is primarily used for spasticity resulting from neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, or cerebral palsy. Dantrolene can also be used in emergency situations like malignant hyperthermia, a rare but serious reaction to anesthesia.

Understanding how each type works can help patients and providers choose the most appropriate treatment for their specific condition and symptoms.

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Common Uses of Muscle Relaxers

Dr. Jordan Sudberg often prescribes muscle relaxers to patients experiencing short-term, intense muscle pain due to conditions such as:

• Acute back or neck pain
  
• Muscle strain or sprain
  
• Tension headaches caused by tight muscles
  
• Fibromyalgia (in select cases)
  
• Spasticity from neurological conditions
  

“These medications can be incredibly helpful for interrupting a cycle of pain and spasm,” Dr. Sudberg explains. “They’re often used as a bridge to allow physical therapy or other treatments to work more effectively.”

How Long Should You Take Muscle Relaxers?

While muscle relaxers can provide rapid relief, Dr. Sudberg stresses that they are not intended for long-term use.

“Most muscle relaxants are recommended for no more than two to three weeks,” he warns. “Longer use increases the risk of dependence, tolerance, and side effects.”

Instead, Dr. Sudberg integrates them into a multimodal pain management approach—combining medication with physical therapy, posture correction, stress reduction, and lifestyle changes.

Potential Side Effects

Like all medications, muscle relaxers carry risks. According to Dr. Sudberg, the most common side effects include:

• Drowsiness and sedation – These drugs often affect alertness, which can impair driving and work performance.
  
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
  
• Dry mouth
  
• Fatigue or weakness
  
• Dependency or withdrawal symptoms – Especially with drugs like carisoprodol, which can be habit-forming.
  
• Interactions with alcohol or other sedatives
  

“Patients need to be aware that muscle relaxers affect the central nervous system,” Dr. Sudberg emphasizes. “They should never be mixed with alcohol or other depressants.”

Some muscle relaxers may also not be suitable for older adults due to increased sensitivity and fall risk.

Alternatives and Complementary Approaches

Because of their limitations, Dr. Sudberg encourages patients to explore alternative or complementary therapies that address the root cause of muscle pain:

• Physical therapy – To stretch and strengthen affected muscles
  
• Trigger point injections – To target tight muscle knots
  
• Chiropractic care or manual therapy
  
• Topical anti-inflammatories
  
• Hot and cold therapy
  
• Mind-body approaches like meditation or biofeedback
  

“Muscle relaxers should be one part of a bigger picture,” says Dr. Sudberg. “The ultimate goal is to improve movement, reduce pain, and prevent recurrence—not just mask the symptoms.”

Dr. Jordan Sudberg’s Final Thoughts

“Muscle relaxers can offer important short-term relief when used properly,” concludes Dr. Sudberg. “But they’re not a long-term solution and should always be part of a structured, multidisciplinary treatment plan.”

If you’re experiencing persistent muscle spasms or pain, consult with a pain management specialist to determine whether muscle relaxers are right for you—and how to safely integrate them into a larger plan for healing.