Hi JesseBo,

Thank you for posting your question on EnableMe. Sorry to hear that you feel worse and more tight. It sounds like you are doing a lot to try and stay healthy and I commend you for that. Have you seen your GP to talk to them about what you are experiencing? If you haven’t already, it’s important you have a medical review with your GP to discuss these changes. Your GP could refer you to a neurologist to fully assess you.

Stiffness can be related to stroke. About 30 percent of stroke survivors will experience some form of muscle stiffness or spasticity. Some people experience it immediately after their stroke, but it can start later on. Some questions worth considering when talking to your doctors are:

1) Do you have stiffness all over your body or only on a hemiplegic side?

2) Have other causes of stiffness been explored especially if your stiffness is not only on a hemiplegic side

3) Have you had guidance through a physiotherapist for exercise prescription and monitoring?

4) Have you been assessed for spasticity? Would a spasticity clinic and medication be worth exploring?

5) Have you ever tried Hydrotherapy? Does this change the way your stiffness feels?

6) Are you always feeling rigid and tight? Or does this pattern change through the day? Ie does it increase with pain, fatigue?

Here are some resources that may help

Fact sheet on spasticity

Podcast on spasticity

I hope this is helpful

If you need further support, please don’t hesitate to contact us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653.

Warm regards,

Kath (StrokeLine)