Spasticity

Hi GB,

Thanks for your post,

 It sounds as though you have tried many avenues and have considered many options.  It is great that you have reached out on EnableMe, and hopefully others will reply to your post to talk about what has helped them.  This is certainly a topic that many others have experience with.

Have you seen a physiotherapist or occupational therapist about your numbness and spasticity? Or a spasticity clinic which has physiotherapists, occupational therapists and physicians dedicated to spasticity?   You can speak with your Gp or neurologist about a referral to a local Spasticity Clinic.  If you aren’t seeing a Physio or Occupational Therapist currently, you can also speak with your GP about a chronic conditions management treatment plan that will give you 5 sessions of Medicare rebated therapy over a 12 month period. This way you can find a private therapist to set you up with a program. If you have private health insurance, it is also good to check on what your extra’s can provide you.  There are also other options that we would be happy to discuss with you depending on where you live, so do reach out.

Are you following an exercise program, or have you been given exercises to complete by a Physio or Occupational Therapist to manage the discomfort of your muscle spasticity? You will already be aware of this, but arms and legs may feel stiffer if you are sitting or in one place for a longer period of time, so regular movement is the key.  Some simple things to factor into your day that may help a little would be to ensure you stand and move regularly.  If this isn’t something you are doing (sometimes the time gets away from us and we don’t realise we haven’t moved for a while) perhaps set a phone alarm or use a smart watch to prompt you to get up and move.  It can also be helpful to try to remember your posture when you’re sitting as poor posture can make your spasticity worse (what happens at your trunk can affect what happens in your hand and foot).

There are potentially some other options that may assist with the management of spasticity although the Clinical Guidelines for stroke management show that evidence for the benefits of any particular adjunct therapy is very limited. There is weak evidence for the potential benefit of electrical stimulation, casting and taping. This means the benefits outweigh the harm but not necessarily for everyone. We would strongly recommend speaking to your treating team about these potential options for treatment in your particular case.

Other issues following a stroke can also exacerbate the management of muscle spasticity, such as fatigue and pain.   Do feel free to reach out to us if you are experiencing other impacts of your stroke and we can talk about these in more detail.

We would be more than happy to talk with you in more detail about your experience, so do feel free to call us on Ph 1800 787 653, or email us on strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au. We are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEDT.

Warm regards Siobhan (StrokeLine)

Thanks so much for your input yes I’ve had physio and been given exercises/stretches which I do daily but I would love to find a physio that dealt with stroke patients and spasticity. 

Hi GB

I had a stoke over 2.5 years ago. I add to learn to walk again and my right side still Hass little to no feeling. 

I had made significant recovery (walking still need further work, drive, and more) but u would say are about 65% recovered.

I have some spasticity in my arm but not bad any more. I have had lots of massage and accupuncture but probably the biggest contribution was CIMT and lots of exercise and lots repetitions. As I understand it you need to make the muscle stronger that the spastic one so you have control. It's not physio once a week and repeating the exercise 20times... it's repeating in 200 of however many you can manage.

CIMT (constraint induced movement therapy) was constraining my good arm for 6hours a day for 3 weeks and inducing my weak arm to do tasts. Over 6000 repitions- best thing and now I have better function and less spasticity.  Well worth the 3 weeks of frustration and wonder and laughs.

The thing I have realised is time doesn't really heal anything like strokes...it's work on reprogramming your brain by doing repetitive actions. If you are able to the book by Norman doige on The Brain That Healed Itself is amazing. Explains brain plasticity which is what helps us heal.

Cheers

Sally