Spasticity
My spasticity is all over the shop!
What is spasticity and why might my spasticity change over time?
If you have a spastic type of CP, you may be aware that your spasticity has changed since you were younger.
Spasticity occurs due an injury to groups of nerves in the brain. As a result of this injury, muddled messages may be sent to the muscles , causing them to be stiff or hard to control.
Although the part of the brain that causes spasticity doesn’t change as you get older, you may still notice some changes in your spasticity.
You might notice:
Increasing pain e.g., painful muscle spasms, or pain in stiff joints.
Increasing stiffness in your muscles, meaning they don’t feel as flexible as they used to. This can cause loss of range of motion in your arms or legs.
Changes in your posture due to the uneven pulling of muscles over a long period of time e.g. an increasing scoliosis (curvature) of the spine.
You may also notice that your spasticity gets worse when you are tired, worried, or have pain for another reason.
What can I do about my spasticity?
It is a good idea to see a physiotherapist who understands how to work with adults who have CP. They can check your spasticity and suggest the best ways to manage it.
Here are some things that might help:
Keep up your flexibility
Stretching might feel repetitive or boring, but it is very important to keep your muscles from getting tighter as you age.
Use heat, cold, or massage
These methods can sometimes help reduce painful muscle spasms (see ‘Pain’ section for more ideas).
Check your mobility equipment
This includes your wheelchair, cushions, and any special seating or support equipment. A review can help make sure your equipment still works well for you.
Consider medication
Your doctor (GP) may suggest certain medicines, like Botulinum neurotoxin Type A (botox) or baclofen, which could help manage spasticity.
Why not strength training?
You may wonder why strength training isn’t mentioned here. For some people, strength training can make spasticity worse. Because of this, it’s important to follow advice from your physiotherapist, who will know what exercises are best for you.