Determined2Heal » Spasticity
  • home link.
  • steps to recovery link.
  • healthy living link.
  • daily living link.
  • sci research link.
  • rehab adventures link.
  • spinalpedia link.

Spasticity

Determined2Heal Tips:

I spasm no more than seven times a day, mostly at night time while I’m in bed or being stretched. I took 60 mg of Baclofen a day orally, but through FES and stretching, I was able to gradually taper off of the Baclofen. I found out that there are side effects of Baclofen when taken orally which interfere with the benefit of neuro-muscular reeducation.

Click Here — Learn more about spasticity and watch thousands of SCI videos on SPINALpedia!

Click Here — Check out our Preventing Spasms Pinterest board

Click Here — Check out our Spinal Cord Injury Health Pinterest board

I recently had increased spasms due to a urinary tract infection (UTI). The spasms indicated there was something wrong which was eventually diagnosed as a UTI. Pay attention when you spasms increase!

What is a spasm?

A spasm is an involuntary movement that occurs below your level of injury because your muscle contracts. Messages below the injury that travel up the spinal cord and are redirected below become involuntary muscle movements.

Are spasms bad?

Spasms have both good and bad qualities, more good qualities than bad

Spasms are good because:

They exercise your muscles and increase circulation.

They decrease swelling.

You can sometimes work with them to help with transfers or other movements.

Increased spasm activity can be a warning of pain below your injury level

Spasms can be bad because:

They can interfere with some daily activities and sleep.

They can cause shearing or skin irritation.

Can cause limited joint movement and cause contractures.

Can cause injury if you bang into something.

How do I prevent spasms?

Spasms can be decreased through stretching twice daily – before you get out of bed and before you go to sleep. FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) below your injury has proven to decrease spasms significantly. There are some medications that decrease spasms by relaxing your muscles, but I do not recommend them unless the spasms interfere with you leading a fulfilling life. Those medications have side effects and will inhibit nerve regeneration.

Why are my spasms increasing?

If your spasms are increasing there is probably something bothering you below your level of injury. This could be a UTI or pressure sore. If they continue at the increased rate, you should seek medical attention or contact your physician.

Click Your Level of Injury

Medical Disclaimer: The Determined2heal Foundation offers educational and health related information relevant to persons with spinal cord injuries, their families, and others of interest. The information contained herein on this site is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek advice from your physician or other qualified health professionals before implementing any new regiment concerning your individual health. Always seek the advice of your physician prior to starting or changing any medical or health treatment.

Links Disclaimer: The Determined2heal Foundation manages and updates information along with links to web sites around the world that contain spinal cord injury products and educational information. The links provided are not managed by the Determined2heal Foundation, and therefore, Determined2heal is not responsible for their content.

Copyright: All written information produced by the Determined2heal Foundation that is contained on this web site is protected under copyright laws. It is prohibited to copy in part or whole any written information from this web site to be posted on other web sites. Information that appears on this site is held by the publisher/developer of the material. Contact individual publisher/developer for permission to use their information.