Spasticity Treatment: What Works and How to Start

Spasticity feels like a muscle that won’t relax. It’s common after stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal‑cord injury, or cerebral palsy. The tightness can make everyday tasks painful and limit mobility. Luckily, a mix of medicines, therapy and home tricks can loosen those muscles and improve quality of life.

First, talk to your doctor about the cause of your spasticity. Knowing whether it’s sudden or long‑term helps decide which approach fits best. Most people start with medication because it can bring quick relief, then add therapy for lasting change.

Medication Options You Can Expect

Baclofen is often the first prescription. It works on the spinal cord to calm nerve signals. Start with a low dose and increase slowly to avoid drowsiness. Tizanidine is another oral option; it’s good for night‑time stiffness but can cause dry mouth and low blood pressure, so regular monitoring is key.

For tighter spots, doctors may inject botulinum toxin (Botox) directly into the muscle. The effect lasts three to four months, giving a window for intensive rehab. Diazepam and dantrolene are less common but useful for certain cases. Always discuss side‑effects and interactions with any other meds you take.

Therapy and Home Strategies

Medication alone rarely fixes spasticity. Physical therapy teaches you how to stretch safely and strengthen opposite muscles. A typical session includes:

• Gentle passive stretches held for 30‑60 seconds.
• Active range‑of‑motion exercises that move the joint through its full path.
• Strength training for the antagonistic muscle group.
• Functional training that mimics daily activities.

Doing these drills at home, even 10‑15 minutes a day, can keep the gains from clinic visits. Use a towel or strap to assist stretches if you can’t reach the limb yourself.

Occupational therapy adds practical tricks: splints or night‑time braces keep muscles in a neutral position, reducing the chance of contracture. Electrical stimulation (NMES) can also relax over‑active fibers before a stretch.

Don’t overlook lifestyle tweaks. Staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet rich in magnesium and potassium, and getting enough sleep help muscles recover. Some folks find warm baths or heating pads before stretching makes the tissue more pliable.

If meds and therapy aren’t enough, surgical options such as selective dorsal rhizotomy or tendon release may be considered. These are usually reserved for severe, longstanding spasticity after a thorough evaluation.

Finally, keep a simple log of what you try – medication dose, therapy exercises, pain level, and mobility changes. Sharing this record with your health team makes it easier to fine‑tune the plan.

Spasticity can be frustrating, but with the right mix of drugs, targeted therapy, and daily habits, you can regain a lot of freedom. Start the conversation with your doctor today, set realistic goals, and stay consistent. Small steps add up to big improvements.