Spasticity: what it is and what you can do

Spasticity is when certain muscles stay tight or contract without you meaning to. It comes from damaged nerve signals between the brain or spinal cord and the muscles. You’ll notice stiffness, sudden jerks, tightness that limits movement, and sometimes pain. It can make everyday tasks—like dressing, walking or sitting—much harder.

Quick at-home steps to feel better

Start with simple, safe moves. Gentle stretching several times a day helps keep joints flexible. Use heat packs for 10–15 minutes to relax tight muscles before stretching. When spasms hit, try slow deep breaths and change your position; often that calms things down. Keep skin clean and dry where muscles press against splints or braces to avoid sores. If you travel, pack extra medications, prescriptions, and a short note from your doctor about your condition.

Medical treatments and rehabilitation

Talk to your doctor about medicines that reduce nerve-driven tightness. Common oral options include baclofen, tizanidine, and sometimes diazepam. These can help but may cause sleepiness or weakness. For focal spasticity—one arm or leg—botulinum toxin (Botox) injections work well to relax specific muscles for months. If spasticity is widespread and severe, an intrathecal baclofen pump delivers medicine directly to the spinal fluid and often gives stronger relief with fewer systemic side effects.

Physical therapy is a core part of care. PT focuses on stretching, strengthening opposing muscles, gait training, and using assistive devices. Occupational therapy helps with daily tasks and recommends splints, braces, or adaptive tools. Serial casting can slowly stretch a stiff joint over weeks. Functional electrical stimulation may help weak muscles fire more normally.

Know the risks and when to call for help. Sudden worsening of spasticity, fever, redness, new pain, or loss of function needs prompt medical attention—these can signal infection, a pressure sore, or another medical problem. Medication side effects like confusion, extreme drowsiness, or breathing problems require urgent review.

Ask about combining treatments. Many people get the best results by using medicines plus targeted injections and regular therapy. Regular check-ins with your rehab team help track progress and adjust the plan. Aim for small, measurable goals: a safer transfer, fewer spasms at night, or more wrist extension for feeding yourself.

Spasticity often changes over time. Stay flexible with your plan. Keep a simple diary of spasms, triggers, and what helps—that makes clinic visits more useful. With the right mix of home care, rehab, and medical treatment, most people regain function and reduce pain.