Spasticity Treatment

Are you experiencing chronic spasticity? Below you will find the treatments that we offer to alleviate your pain. Our providers will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.

To schedule an appointment, please call us or complete our appointment request form by clicking the link provided.

Spasticity is a condition characterized by disrupted muscle movements that cause them to contract simultaneously, resulting in stiffness and/or tightness. This can cause discomfort and pain, and affect a person’s ability to walk, move, or speak properly. The central nervous system uses a sophisticated mechanism to regulate muscle movements, allowing some muscles to contract while others relax. If the nerves responsible for controlling muscle and stretch reflexes in the brain and spinal cord are damaged, this delicate pattern can be disrupted, causing many muscles to contract simultaneously. This condition is commonly seen in individuals with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, or any other condition that affects the brain and/or spinal cord.

Symptoms of spasticity can range from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms, including increased muscle tone (hypertonicity), rapid muscle spasms (clonus), muscle contractions, scissoring (involuntary crossing of the legs), and fixed joints (contractures). It primarily affects the legs but can also occur in the arms, interfering with daily activities and diminishing the patient’s overall quality of life.

How Can Spasticity be Alleviated?

Managing and treating spasticity is crucial to enhance the patient’s comfort, mobility, and independence. Without intervention, spasticity can lead to permanent joint deformities, increased pain, urinary tract infections, chronic constipation, and pressure sores. The treatment approach is tailored to the patient’s individual needs, preferences, and goals, and doctors and therapists collaborate with patients to determine the most suitable treatment plan.

In addition, home-care remedies can help alleviate some of the symptoms of spasticity. The doctor or therapist may recommend:

• Special stretching exercises designed to relieve spasticity and promote overall health.
• Avoiding extreme temperatures.
• Opting for comfortable, loose-fitting clothing instead of restrictive garments or braces.
• Getting adequate, high-quality sleep.
• Changing positions frequently, at least every two hours, to prevent pressure sores from developing if the patient spends extended periods in a wheelchair or bedridden.

Can Stretching Alleviate Spasticity?

Stretching is a vital component in reducing pain and other symptoms of spasticity. Physical therapists develop customized stretching programs tailored to each patient’s needs, and these exercises should be performed daily to prevent muscle spasms.

How Do Physical Therapists Address Spasticity?

Physical therapists typically employ muscle stretching and range of motion exercises to prevent muscles from shrinking or becoming shorter and reduce the severity of symptoms. Orthotics, temporary casts or braces, muscle strength training, therapeutic heat, electrical stimulation, vibration therapy, and muscle cooling are among the physical therapy modalities used.

At Pain & Balance Physical Therapy, located within the Ramos Center in Florida, we provide top-quality care to our patients through effective and individualized physical therapy programs. We aim to enhance muscle flexibility, range of motion, coordination, and strength, enabling patients to live independently. By utilizing these therapy techniques, we motivate and support each patient in setting practical and achievable therapy goals, resulting in long-lasting outcomes.

Our team of compassionate and experienced medical professionals is dedicated to assisting you in reducing your pain and maximizing your quality of life! Our facilities are located in Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, Englewood, Port Charlotte, Dunedin, and St. Petersburg, FL, and we serve patients from the surrounding areas. We look forward to meeting you and serving patients from Bradenton FL, Sarasota FL, Laurel FL, St. Petersburg FL, Venice FL, Palmetto FL, Englewood FL, Memphis FL, Cortez FL, and Port Charlotte FL.