Managing MS Spasticity: Practical Ways to Reduce Muscle Stiffness

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. One of the complications, often experienced by people with MS, is spasticity. 

MS spasticity causes muscle stiffness, tightness, and sudden spasms. Some patients may experience it as constant tightness in their muscles, while some may experience pain during movement. It can also be painful, based on the severity. 

When MS patients become dependent on others for daily functioning, their confidence takes a dive, and this also impacts their emotional wellbeing. In this blog, we explain what MS spasticity is, how to manage daily tasks, treatment, physiotherapy, and exercise options that can help. We also explore how structured care improves long-term outcomes. 

What is Spasticity in MS?

Due to multiple sclerosis, the electrical signals that normally tell the muscles to relax get disrupted. When these signals misfire, the muscles remain contracted when the patient tries to move. It can also happen when they are simply lying down. It affects daily movement, speech, and walking.  

Beyond stiffness in arms, legs, hips, or back, some patients may also feel sudden jerks, cramps, or painful spasms. The severity and symptoms vary and worsen with fatigue, infection, or temperature change.

Patients with MS Spasticity may experience them as:

• Flexor spasticity: Muscles become tight, and limbs (mostly the hips or knees) are bent and are difficult to straighten.
• Extensor spasticity: Muscles become tight such that the limbs, mostly legs, stay straight and are difficult to bend.

These symptoms can make it difficult to carry out routine daily tasks. In the next section, let’s explore how to manage spasticity in everyday life. 

Managing Spasticity in MS Day to Day

For spasticity to be managed, patients with multiple sclerosis must identify the triggers and make changes to their environment in order to eliminate these factors. Usually, the following external factors may contribute to an increase in muscle tension:

• Tight clothing or shoes
• Extreme temperatures, such as heat or cold
• Infections like UTIs
• Stress and anxiety

Keeping a record of everyday activities, diet, and level of stress will allow patients and the healthcare team to discuss potential triggers. The most important thing for the management plan for spasticity in MS is avoidance of triggers, since spasticity is not continuous in patients with MS. 

Exercises to Reduce Spasticity and Help Movement

Mindful movements through regular exercise can help with muscle stiffness. It can be almost impossible for patients to move when their muscles are very tight, but inactivity will cause the muscles to weaken further. Some of the exercises commonly recommended for spasticity in MS include:

• Passive stretching: A gentle movement of the limbs along their full range of motion
• Active stretching: Reaching, bending, and extending the different limbs to allow muscle fibre elongation
• Yoga and Tai Chi: Slow and controlled movement integrated with deep breathing
• Strengthening: Movements to improve core strength

These reduce the incidence of spasms. Nevertheless, physiotherapists can offer better assistance as they guide the patients to do these movements. 

Physiotherapy for MS Spasticity

Physiotherapy creates a tailored movement plan to help MS patients with improved mobility. They can be useful for:

• Gait training: To help patients walk safely
• Positioning advice: To learn correct posture while sitting or lying down to discourage muscle shortening
• Hydrotherapy: Performing exercises in a warm pool to soothe and relax tight muscle groups
• Equipment support: Orthotics, splints, or walking aids help position limbs in the correct position

In more severe cases of MS spasticity, additional support in the form of medication may be needed. 

MS Spasticity Treatment: Medication and Clinical Options

Clinical interventions like prescription medications may be recommended by physicians overseeing MS patients to help with MS spasticity. Neurologists may recommend medications to help with overactive signals that cause spasticity. The right combination of medication depends on the patient’s health condition and prevailing symptoms. 

As there is no specific cure for MS, beyond medication and physiotherapy, lifestyle changes are necessary to control and manage the MS spasticity symptoms. 

Lifestyle Tips for MS Muscle Spasms

Some lifestyle changes to help relieve muscle stiffness symptoms include: 

• Hydration: Not drinking enough water can affect muscles by making them cramp, thus worsening muscle stiffness.
• Magnesium intake: Magnesium is suitable for muscle relaxation, and some supplements may assist. Get the advice of a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.
• Temperature control: Uncontrolled external temperature can be managed with the use of heated blankets in winter or cooling vests in summer.
• Mindfulness techniques: Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is taught by experts, in which the body tension can be released consciously for mobility improvements.

How Secure Healthcare Can Support Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis patients need a multifaceted approach to managing the disease. They can seek help from a doctor, who can give the right medication balance, and a physiotherapist, who can offer exercise interventions to alleviate stiffness in the muscles. 

Quality of life can improve with expert care from Secure Healthcare Solutions, particularly for people dealing with MS spasticity. Expert care includes daily stretching, on-time medication, and managing environmental triggers to avoid flare-ups. Trained experts help with mobility and provide emotional support during flare-ups to keep the patient as independent as possible. 

For professional Multiple Sclerosis Care in Wolverhampton, our expert team can facilitate care for managing spasticity due to MS.