Exercises

In the treatment of spasticity after stroke, it is important that the patient carries out his or her own exercises in order to give the nerves the most targeted input possible. In the beginning, the affected extremity should be activated first. To do this, it is spread out with the healthy arm, gently tapped or pressed.

Patients often have a problem with the affected extremity as belonging to itself, through these exercises, the perception should be improved. Afterwards light movement exercises can be started. Depending on the severity of the spasticity, the healthy arm can help to perform the movements.

It is important, however, that the patient is constantly focused and aware of how to perform the movements as well as possible with the affected limb. A comprehensive collection of other exercises that can provide help can be found in these articles:

For example, the affected arm can be led to the opposite shoulder and then stretched down diagonally beside the body. In the stretched position, it can exert a slight supporting activity in a pad or in the hand of the guiding arm.
The movements should be started gently and small. Smooth movements and pressure on the muscles can often relieve spasticity.
Slow controlled shoulder circling at the beginning can also be helpful.
At the legs one proceeds similarly, the simple lifting of the leg in the seat from the hip and to the ground drop, can be here a good exercise, in order to feel the own leg as belonging, and improve the mobility in the hip. Shifting weight onto the leg and supporting the hands with pressure on the affected thigh provides input to the muscles to relieve spasticity.

Physiotherapy for spasticity – exercises
Mobilization exercises from physiotherapy

Release spasticity

In addition to drug therapy, there are effective measures in physiotherapy to resolve spasticity.By applying pressure to the muscles and light massage strokes on the tense muscle bellies, the tone can be primarily lowered. Afterwards one begins with gentle mobilization grips. You start close to the torso.

This means that the shoulder is first mobilized in large, gentle movements. Rotational components support the release of spasticity. The muscles should gradually give way so that the following joints can be mobilized.

The movements are gradually increased until the joints are able to maintain their full range of motion and can be gently stretched. It is important to be patient and never fight against muscular resistance with force. The joints can be mobilized in all directions.

A supporting activity can then be built up. This means that the patient supports himself with the affected arm (if necessary with the help of the therapist or the healthy arm) on a pad. This provides stimuli for the muscles, which should also relieve the spasticity.

For the leg, a shift of weight in the seat to the leg can cause support activity. It is important to create a pleasant, calm atmosphere when relieving spasticity. Sudden loud, frightening stimuli can cause the spasticity to shoot up again in a flash. This article may also be of interest to you in this regard: Physiotherapy for spasticity