Spasm vs. Cramp — What's the Difference?

A spasm is a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ such as the bladder. A spasmodic muscle contraction may be caused by many medical conditions, including dystonia.

A cramp is a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction or overshortening; while generally temporary and non-damaging, they can cause significant pain and a paralysis-like immobility of the affected muscle. Muscle cramps are common and are often associated with pregnancy, physical exercise or overexertion, age (common in older adults), or may be a sign of a motor neuron disorder.

A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.

An involuntary, spasmodic muscle contraction causing severe pain.

A sudden burst of energy, activity, or emotion.

A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.

A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.

Cramps Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.

A violent, excruciating seizure of pain.

A frame with an adjustable part to hold pieces together; a clamp.

A sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion.

A cramp iron.

To produce and undergo a spasm or series of spasms.

A compressing or restraining force, influence, or thing.

An involuntary and unnatural contraction of one or more muscles or muscular fibers.

A confined position or part.

A sudden, violent, and temporary effort or emotion; as, a spasm of repentance.

To affect with or as if with a cramp.

A painful and involuntary muscular contraction

To suffer from or experience cramps.

(pathology) sudden constriction of a hollow organ (as a blood vessel)

To hold together with a cramp.

To shut in so closely as to restrict the physical freedom of

To steer (the wheels of a vehicle) to make a turn.

To jam (a wheel) by a short turn.

Cramped.

A painful contraction of a muscle which cannot be controlled.

That which confines or contracts.

A clamp for carpentry or masonry.

A piece of wood having a curve corresponding to that of the upper part of the instep, on which the upper leather of a boot is stretched to give it the requisite shape.

(intransitive) (of a muscle) To contract painfully and uncontrollably.

(transitive) To affect with cramps or spasms.

To prohibit movement or expression of.

(transitive) To restrain to a specific physical position, as if with a cramp.

To fasten or hold with, or as if with, a cramp iron.

(by extension) To bind together; to unite.

To form on a cramp.

(archaic) cramped; narrow

That which confines or contracts; a restraint; a shackle; a hindrance.

A device, usually of iron bent at the ends, used to hold together blocks of stone, timbers, etc.; a cramp iron.

A rectangular frame, with a tightening screw, used for compressing the joints of framework, etc.

A piece of wood having a curve corresponding to that of the upper part of the instep, on which the upper leather of a boot is stretched to give it the requisite shape.

A spasmodic and painful involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles, as of the leg.

A paralysis of certain muscles due to excessive use; as, writer's cramp; milker's cramp, etc.

To compress; to restrain from free action; to confine and contract; to hinder.

To fasten or hold with, or as with, a cramp.

To bind together; to unite.

To form on a cramp; as, to cramp boot legs.

To afflict with cramp.

Knotty; difficult.

A painful and involuntary muscular contraction

A clamp for holding pieces of wood together while they are glued

A strip of metal with ends bent at right angles; used to hold masonry together

Secure with a cramp;

Prevent the progress or free movement of;