What are the options for resolving spasticity?

Introduction

There are many ways to relieve or loosen spasticity. There are several approaches to treatment, including a variety of medications and surgery. A central element of therapy is always movement therapy, in the form of physiotherapy and occupational therapy. In addition, aids can have a supportive effect in everyday life. It is also important to remember that spasticity cannot be cured, which can cause confusion with the commonly used term “relieving” spasticity.

Overview of therapy options for resolving and treating spasticity

Methods from different areas can be used to resolve and treat spasticity. A combination of these is often used. Physiotherapy remains the basis of all spasticity treatments.

This involves moving the diseased muscles and thus preventing the spasticity from progressing. Orthoses can be used if the body’s movements are significantly restricted. These help to support and also relieve spastic muscles.

Plaster splints are also occasionally applied to slowly stretch severely cramped muscles. Occupational therapy is another therapy option, in which the patients learn how to cope with their everyday life and how to use any necessary aids correctly. Various medications are also available as a therapy option to relieve the muscle spasms caused by spasticity.

For this purpose, so-called muscle relaxants from the benzodiazepine group are used or antispasmodic drugs such as gabapentin. In addition, painkillers are used for severe muscle spasms. Finally, there is also the surgical option.

This is mainly used when the disease progresses with increasing restrictions on certain joints and muscles. This topic might also be of interest to you:

  • Lower leg orthosis

Physiotherapy to relieve and treat spasticity involves moving the affected muscles and the joints that are also affected. This is an attempt to maintain certain movements and keep the body mobile.

In addition, in physiotherapy the affected muscles are stretched by regularly performed exercises. This counteracts the excessive tension of the musculature and reduces muscle stiffness and the pain associated with it. There are many different exercises that can help to relieve or improve spasticity.

Depending on the possibilities, the main focus is on exercises that can be actively performed by the person affected. As a strengthening exercise and also to improve balance, one leg is lifted at a 90° angle and held in the air for about 20 seconds. The leg should be stretched.

It is best to stand next to a wall or a chair in order to be able to support yourself in case of balance problems. A ball can be used to help improve coordination, which is often impaired in spasticity. The ball is slowly moved around the body with the hands, first 10 times in one direction and then 10 times in the other.

Knee bends can be performed to improve your strength. It is important that all of these exercises are done regularly so that they can be of long-term benefit to the person concerned. More about this:

  • Coordination training

Bobath’s treatment method is a concept that focuses on the inhibition of pathological movements.

These movements are caused by spasticity. The Bobath method of treatment attempts to reduce spasticity of the flexor muscles in the arms and the extensor muscles in the legs. If you wish to undergo Bobath treatment, you should visit a physiotherapeutic practice where this therapy concept is offered as a treatment option.

Occupational therapy is an important part of the therapy for relieving and treating spasticity. Here the focus is on the everyday fitness of the person suffering from spasticity. Various exercises are carried out to take into account the individual characteristics of the disease and the associated impairments in everyday life.

They help the person affected to perform certain activities in their everyday life without or with very little help. For example, the putting on and taking off of clothes is practiced.During the exercise, the occupational therapist can also recognize where the patient’s weaknesses lie and respond to them. In addition, techniques are taught that enable the patient to eat and drink independently and also, for example, to brush their teeth.

If the spasticity is severe, the occupational therapist can also show the exercises to the person who is caring for the person suffering from spasticity. In addition, the correct use of orthoses and/or other walking aids can be practiced. Spasticity can be improved and loosened by stroking out the affected muscles.

It should be noted that the term “relieving spasticity” does not mean that the spasticity will disappear completely. However, certain massage and loosening techniques can reduce the symptoms in the affected muscles. Stroking should be done by an experienced physiotherapist, who may also be able to demonstrate techniques for performing it independently.

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  • Massage
  • Heat Therapy

Botox® is one of the most effective drug therapy options for resolving and treating spasticity. Depending on the severity of the spasticity of the spasticity, adapted amounts of Botox® can be injected into the muscle (intramuscularly) with a syringe. This is done via the puncture with a fine needle directly into the overly active, mostly painful muscle.

Botox® (actually botulinum toxin) occurs in 2 forms. Botulinum toxin A is used for spasticity. This ensures that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is not released.

As a result, information that leads to spastic contraction of the muscles cannot be passed on and spasticity can be reduced. After an injection of Botox® into a muscle affected by spasticity, it usually takes a few days for the effect to take effect and for the muscle to relax and relax. The effect of Botox® also lasts only a few months. Then a new injection of Botox must be administered to relax the muscles.