Spasticity is a term more people may hear than fully understand. It refers to muscles that are incredibly rigid or stiff because of spinal cord injury or the brain that restricts movement and function. This blog will explain the meaning of spasticity and explains how neuro-physiotherapy utilises specific techniques – stretching, toning, or functional electrical stimulation (FES) to aid people in regaining mobility, decrease discomfort and enhance the quality of life.
What is Spasticity?
Spasticity is known as”the upper motor neuron syndrome” and usually causes after incidents like stroke, brain trauma or spinal cord injury or neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.
The most important characteristics of spasticity are:
- A speed-dependent increase in the muscle’s tone (i.e. the faster you attempt to move a muscle, the more resistance you experience)
- Exaggerated tendon reflexes, involuntary muscle contractions
- Over time, the changes in connective tissues (muscles and tendon) may cause contractions (fixed shrinking)
- The degree of spasticity varies: for some, it’s just a slight stiffness, while for others, it could be very painful and restrict mobility.
Since spasticity is caused by neurodegeneration, it is not able to always be completely “cured”. However, by utilising specific techniques of physiotherapy, it is possible to reduce the impact of spasticity and improve the function.
How Neuro Physiotherapy Helps
In Rehab Therapist we focus on neuro physiotherapy to treat conditions that involve brain and nerve injuries. Neuro physiotherapy employs specialised knowledge regarding how the nervous system impacts motion, tone, and posture. To treat spasticity, the physiotherapist will examine the muscle’s tone and mobility and functional movements (walking and standing and reaching) and how spasticity impacts these activities, as well as the causes (like posture or discomfort) can cause it to get worse.
After the assessment is complete the therapist chooses appropriate interventions. Here are three pillars:
- Tone-management
- Stretching
- Functional electrical Stimulation (FES)
1. Tone Management
Muscle tone refers to the continuous and partial passive contraction of muscles, or resistance to stretching passively. In the case of spasticity, the muscle tone may become abnormally high or is not controlled.
Why manage tone?
High tone can:
- Limit movement and perform functional tasks (e.g. walking, reaching)
- This can cause arthritis stiffness, discomfort and ultimately contracture
- Disrupt positioning or transfers, as well as regular care (for instance, lying or sitting)
The way neuro physiotherapy treats tone:
Finding and reducing triggers (e.g. bladder infections, urinary tract problems or bad posture, pain) These can cause spasticity to worsen.
The weight bearing and position: making sure that the leg can be supported in a manner that does not cause irritation of the tone. Research has shown how “positioning” is among the most popular techniques.
Training for functional movement that encourages the stimulation of the antagonist muscles (muscles opposite to spastic ones) to control the tone and enhance function.
The use of adjunctive therapies: hydrotherapy or cold packs or other methods to reduce the intensity of tone spikes.
2. Stretching
Stretching is the cornerstone of spasticity rehabilitation. In absence of it, continual excessive tone and restricted mobility cause the muscle-tendon systems to shrink joints to stiffen and mobility to diminish.
Why is it important?
- Aids in maintaining or improving the range of motion in joints Improves joint range of motion
- It prevents the formation of contractures (which can be extremely hard to reverse)
- Could help decrease the “visco-elastic” stiffness of connective tissue and muscles which is caused by the long-term inability of movement.
Evidence-based considerations:
- While passive stretching can be useful, it might not be sufficient to reduce spasticity, unless it is combined with other methods.
- It is essential that stretching is performed regularly, but in a safe manner, as too much can result in pain or discomfort.
- Functional positioning and task-oriented movements should go hand-in-hand with stretching. It’s not enough to “move the leg” but should be integrated with movements and functions.
In simple terms ,The spastic muscle is similar to a rubber band that is stretched, then it’s the gentle pull which gradually brings it closer to its normal size and flexibility. Regularly stretching, under the assistance of a physiotherapist will prevent the rubber band snapping into a permanent shortened position.
3. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
Functional Electric Stimulation (FES) utilises mild electrical impulses that stimulate certain nerves and muscles. In the context of spasticity and neuro-rehabilitation, it helps by activating or retraining muscles that are weak, under-active or mis-controlled.
How can FES help with spasticity?
- Through stimulating the nerve or muscle you can encourage the movement of the limb. This can help to regulate muscle tone and decrease spastic activity.
- Research suggests a reduction in spasticity between 45-60% when the parameters are optimised in spinal cord injury.
- FES also helps improve the range of motion as well as walking and muscle strength for people who suffer from the condition of spasticity. What does this mean in the real world?
- The physiotherapist may put electrodes on certain muscles (for example, the ankle dorsiflexors of someone suffering from spasticity that causes foot drop).
- The device emits electrical impulses at the appropriate time in the motion cycle (e.g. during lifting the foot while walking) to ensure that the muscle is activated optimally.
In time, the muscles as well as the nervous system “learn” or “re-integrate” this motion and control, resulting in improved control, less “lock-in” to spastic movements and more usage.
FES is not a magic bullet – Its success relies on the right selection of the patient, proper parameters and their integration into a larger exercise program. It works best when it is combined with other strategies for neurophysiotherapy (tone management, stretching, and the practice of functional training).
Why Choose Neuro Physiotherapy at Rehab Therapist for Spasticity?
- Rehabtherapist specialises in neurorehabilitation and employs methods that are based on research and designed specifically to treat spasticity (including stretching and tone management protocols, and FES)
- The programmes are individualised – recognising that spasticity presents differently in each person (location and severity, as well as functional impact)
- It is not all about decreasing stiffness, but also on enhancing function, independence and the quality of life
- The team works alongside other specialists to provide holistic care for neurological disorders.
Final Thoughts
It can be overwhelming to experience However, with structured neuro physiotherapy and patient engagement, dramatic improvements can be made. The crucial factor is consistency, early actions as well as cooperating with therapists who comprehend the neural foundations of the movement and the tone.
Through the combination of tone-management strategies such as purposeful stretching and the application of electrical stimulation in a neuro physiotherapy framework, At Rehab Therapist, we can aid in unlocking flexibility, ease stiffness and support meaningful recovery and independence.
If you or someone close to you have been suffering from spasticity, particularly after an injury to the brain, stroke or spinal cord injury, you should consider scheduling a neuro physiotherapy examination. The early steps you take can make all the difference.
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Book a free 15-minute phone consultation with our neuro physiotherapist or contact us through our online form to get personalised guidance and support.
