Physiotherapy is an important basis for any therapy of spasticity. Through a training plan specifically tailored to the patient, muscle groups are effectively stretched and strengthened to relieve muscle tension and prevent stiffness. The primary goal is to normalize everyday movements so that the patient can manage well despite the spasticity and regain some control over their own body. Depending on the cause of the spasticity, the course of therapy can vary. As a rule, however, it is determined by doctors and therapists in agreement.
Physiotherapeutic measures
In physiotherapy, the treatment of spasticity is primarily concerned with relieving the patient’s symptoms and restoring normal movement. However, spasticity is usually not curable, so patients should start therapy with a clear vision of the goals from the outset. Various therapeutic approaches have proven to be effective: Exercises On the one hand, this involves active exercises that are performed by the patient himself.
Strengthening exercises for both the muscles affected by spasticity and for healthy muscles in particular are designed to reduce symptoms and facilitate movement. Secondly, the physiotherapist passively moves the patient’s limbs to keep them mobile. Sports therapy methods which have a more athletic character, such as water therapy, whereby the patients can perform movements more easily, as no great muscle power is required, or riding, whereby the natural movement is imitated when walking.
Relaxing sports such as yoga and Pilates also help to reduce muscle tone and get the patient used to normal movement patterns again. Physiotherapy according to Bobath This concept is about the brain learning to transfer the functions of the damaged areas to healthy areas of the brain in order to restore the original state as far as possible. During therapy, the main focus is therefore on training the disturbed areas of the body.
Manual therapy and massages Through certain grip techniques and loosening massages, an attempt is made to reduce muscle tension and thus reduce the risk of spasticity. In principle, a therapy plan is developed for each patient individually, tailored to their needs.
- Exercises On the one hand, these are active exercises that are performed by the patient himself.
Strengthening exercises for both the muscles affected by spasticity and for healthy muscles in particular are intended to reduce symptoms and facilitate movement. Secondly, the physiotherapist passively moves the patient’s limbs to keep them mobile.
- Sports therapy methods which are more of a sporting nature such as water therapy, where the patient can perform movements more easily because no great muscle power is required, or riding, where the natural movement is imitated when walking. Relaxing sports such as yoga and Pilates also help to reduce muscle tone and get the patient used to normal movement patterns again.
- Physiotherapy according to Bobath This concept is about the brain learning to transfer the functions of the damaged areas to healthy brain areas in order to restore the original state as far as possible. During therapy, the main focus is therefore on training the disturbed areas of the body.
- Manual therapy and massages Through certain grip techniques and loosening massages, an attempt is made to reduce muscle tension and thus reduce the risk of spasticity.
All articles in this series:
