How do you manage spasticity after a stroke?

How do you manage spasticity after a stroke?

Here are seven tips for living with spasticity:

1. Exercise or stretch the affected limbs. One of the best things you can do for spasticity after a stroke is to keep the affected limbs moving.
2. Adjust your posture.
3. Support affected limbs.
4. Adapt your home.
5. Ask for support.
6. Work with an occupational therapist.
7. Use mobility aids.

What is the best treatment for spasticity?

Spasticity can be reduced by:

• Performing stretching exercises daily. Prolonged stretching can make muscles longer, helping to decrease spasticity and prevent contracture.
• Splinting, casting, and bracing. These methods are used to maintain range of motion and flexibility.

How do occupational therapists reduce spasticity in stroke patients?

Positioning, prolonged muscle stretching, splinting, and motor-level stimulation were indicated as modalities most commonly used by clinicians to manage spasticity. These results are consistent with the Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care.

How can physiotherapy reduce spasticity in stroke patients?

Physiotherapy. If possible, standing promotes anti-gravity muscle activity in the trunk and lower limbs. It also maintains or improves soft tissue and joint flexibility and modulation of the neural component of spasticity.

What can worsen spasticity?

Being too hot or too cold can cause your stiffness and spasms to temporarily worsen. Try to keep your temperature as constant as you can. The spasms and stiffness will ease once you become more comfortable. If you are feeling stressed or anxious about something, then your symptoms may worsen.

Why is Baclofen not recommended for stroke?

A double blind crossover trial of baclofen against placebo in elderly stroke patients was discontinued because the drug produced an unacceptably high level of drowsiness.

Does heat help spasticity?

Sometimes heat or ice can be used to temporarily relax a spastic muscle. Warm baths or swimming pools can also help to relax a spastic muscle. Check with your physician or therapist before using heat or cold with your child. Medications Sometimes the effects of spasticity can be improved by medication.

How does physiotherapy treat spasticity?

Physiotherapy for Spasticity Exercises to increase independence with walking, standing and transferring. Muscles stretching to relieve tightness and ease pain. Strengthening exercises as spastic muscles may also be weak. Regular weight bearing activities in the upper and lower limbs.

How does exercise help spasticity?

Spasticity involves rigid muscles and muscle stiffness that stems from miscommunication between the brain and muscles after a neurological injury. Exercise is a great treatment for spasticity because it sparks neuroplasticity and helps repair the communication between the brain and muscles.

How do physical therapists treat stroke patients?

The aim of physical therapy is to have the stroke patient relearn simple motor activities such as walking, sitting, standing, lying down, and the process of switching from one type of movement to another. Another type of therapy to help patients relearn daily activities is occupational therapy.

Does massage help with spasticity?

Massage therapy helps relax spastic muscles by manually lengthening the shortened muscle fibers. By reducing muscle tone, massage therapy helps improve range of motion, motor control, and flexibility.

What is tizanidine used for?

Tizanidine is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It relieves spasms, cramping, and tightness of the muscles caused by medical problems, such as multiple sclerosis or certain injuries to the spine.