Spasticity affects over 12 million people worldwide. It’s a condition that impacts approximately 80 percent of individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, creating challenges that range from muscle stiffness to uncontrollable spasms. Those affected often find their daily lives disrupted by painful symptoms and limited mobility. Despite its prevalence, there are effective treatments that offer relief and bring hope to those living with spasticity.
At Interventional Pain & Spine, located in Wexford, PA, we provide advanced care for movement disorders like spasticity. Led by Dr. Mohammad Ali a triple board-certified specialist in pain medicine and neurology, our team offers personalized treatments to meet each patient’s needs. With cutting-edge therapies and compassionate care, we’re here to help you improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Understanding how spasticity impacts the body and the advanced therapies available is the key to finding the right path to recovery. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Spasticity
Spasticity happens when the central nervous system (CNS) is damaged or disrupted. This can result from a variety of conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. When the CNS can't properly control muscle tone, it can lead to:
- Muscle tightness and stiffness that limit movement.
- Uncontrollable muscle spasms, often causing pain and discomfort.
- Challenges with both fine and gross motor skills (e.g., walking, writing).
- Increased risk of joint issues and muscle shortening over time.
Managing spasticity requires addressing both the underlying causes and the symptoms themselves. Early intervention is vital to prevent complications and preserve function.
The Benefits of Neurological Care
Specialized neurological care goes beyond symptom relief. It looks at your unique needs, goals, and challenges to create a personalized plan for long-term spasticity management. Some key benefits include:
- Targeted Muscle Spasticity Treatment, where experts evaluate the degree of muscle stiffness or spasms and provide tailored solutions to improve mobility and comfort.
- Comprehensive Support for individuals with conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lower limb spasticity from spinal cord injuries, or severe spasticity from stroke.
- Improved Movement and independence through physical therapy and occupational therapy intervention.
Neurological care also offers access to new treatments for spasticity, combining advanced therapies with compassionate support to empower patients.
Cutting-Edge Treatment Options at Interventional Pain & Spine
At Interventional Pain & Spine, we use the latest techniques to treat spasticity and related movement disorders. Our cutting-edge treatment options include:
- Pain Relief Injections: Options like epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, and trigger point injections deliver medication directly to affected areas to decrease inflammation and provide quick relief.
- Nerve Blocks: Precisely target nerves to block pain signals and treat conditions like back, knee, or pelvic pain with minimal invasiveness.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Uses heat to deactivate pain-causing nerves, offering long-lasting relief, especially for chronic back pain.
- Medication Management: Balances short-term symptom relief with long-term solutions, all customized to your needs.
We also use in-house EMG and EEG testing to identify the causes of spasticity. EMG measures muscle activity to detect nerve damage, while EEG evaluates brain activity, helping us create personalized, effective treatment plans.
These services, paired with compassionate care, help improve quality of life by addressing both symptoms and root causes.
Lifestyle and Holistic Support
Spasticity management doesn't stop at medical treatments. Lifestyle changes and holistic approaches play a significant role in achieving lasting relief. Here are some ways patients can support their well-being:
- Stress management: With spasticity, stress can compound symptoms. Mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and meditation can help relieve tension that exacerbates spasticity.
- Healthy living: Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and regular exercise can all improve overall well-being and support the body's natural healing processes.
- Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: Regular physical therapy can decrease muscle stiffness, improve flexibility, and strengthen muscles. Rehabilitation therapy also helps patients regain functional skills and adapt to daily challenges.
- Occupational Therapy: Learning how to complete tasks while managing symptoms can make life more manageable and rewarding.
- Assistive Technology: Tools like braces, walkers, or adaptive seating devices can enhance independence and reduce strain on muscles.
Remember to discuss your options with our expert team to find strategies that work best for you.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Early intervention is essential to preserve a high quality of life when managing spasticity. Untreated spasticity can lead to more severe symptoms and complications, such as muscle contractures, joint deformities, and chronic pain.
That's why early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preserving function and reducing symptoms' impact on daily life. Our team at Interventional Pain & Spine offers personalized care that addresses both the physical and emotional challenges of living with spasticity.
Find Relief from Spasticity with Expert Care
Spasticity doesn’t have to control your life. With advanced treatments, holistic support, and the expertise of specialized neurological care, you can improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and enhance your quality of life. Interventional Pain & Spine is here to guide you toward lasting relief.
Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Ali today, and explore our innovative treatment options for spasticity and related conditions.
