Managing Spasticity After a Stroke with Physical Therapy

Living after a stroke can sometimes come with several challenges. One of which is dealing with muscle spasticity. It’s a condition that affects the tone or stiffness of the muscle fibers. Most survivors seeking “stroke physical therapy near me” experience muscle spasticity within three to six weeks into recovery. The intensity might progress up to six months, so it’s crucial to undergo therapy to help the body cope and lessen the risks of joint contracture (shortening).

Understanding Muscle Spasticity After a Stroke

Statistics note that muscle spasticity affects 25 to 43 percent of stroke survivors. Notably, it commonly occurs in younger patients and those who suffer from hemorrhagic stroke. The symptoms can also manifest differently as some experience them right after the cerebrovascular accident while others only notice them after 12 months. 

Here’s q quick list of the usual indicators of muscle spasticity: 

• Stiff lower and upper extremities that prevent normal movement
• Muscle or joint shortening, which might cause pain and discomfort
• Arms, wrists, and fingers twisting towards the chest 
• Decreased elbow function, tight fits, and pointed toes
• Overactive muscle reflexes 

Unfortunately, several people with muscle spasticity during their recovery period find it extremely difficult to perform primary functions like walking, eating, bathing, and putting clothes on. The risk of getting injured also spikes at a significant rate.

How Can Patients Cope With Post-stroke Muscle Spasticity?

Looking for a potential option for stroke physical therapy near me is among the first steps you must undertake if you want to manage spasticity and its impact on your body. Below is a quick list of all the helpful tips you can explore to work around the different challenges you might encounter while recovering from a stroke:  

Take medications

Doctors prescribe medications to help patients lessen the intensity of their muscle spasticity. One of the most commonly prescribed medications is botulinum toxin A or botox. It’s an injectable drug that helps strengthen the muscles and boost body coordination and movements. Doctors usually prescribe it to patients who have started committing to physical and occupational therapy programs. 

Besides injectable botox, your physician might recommend oral medications like Gabapentin, Baclofen, and Imidazolines to manage sleeping problems, pain, and other risk factors that can worsen your muscle spasticity. 

Commit to an active life

Exercising after a stroke can help keep your muscles in great shape. So, we highly recommend working closely with your physician or therapist to create a line-up of activities you can do at home. Here are some simple post-stroke exercises you can try during your free time: 

• Wrist curls
• Table towel slides
• Shoulder openers
• Seated marching
• Open arm exercise

Feel free to do these movements several times a week with or without assistance. You can also modify the intensity and frequency of your routine based on how your body responds. So, be sure to listen to your body and pace yourself when you perform an activity. Additionally, you should avoid pushing yourself to the limit to avoid complications common among post-stroke patients.

Undergo stroke physical therapy

Maintaining a physically active life after your cerebrovascular accident can help keep your body in good shape. It also lessens muscle spasticity and prevents complications such as twisting arms, wrists, and fingers, limited range of motion, and shortened muscle and joint fibers. 

It’s a good idea to undergo physical therapy right as soon as your body permits it. It would help to check in with your physician before you get discharged to know how you can move forward with your rehabilitation program. 

This will help you identify the programs you need to undergo and get referrals to a physical therapist or fitness center. You likely have several options for a “stroke physical therapy near me”. If you’re unsure what to choose, we suggest considering the following factors: 

• The level of experience of the therapists and rehab professionals
• The equipment available in the facility
• The mission and vision of the fitness center and its team
• The quality of the care provided

It would also help to check feedback from clients or loved ones who have tried working with your selected physical and rehabilitation center. You can try checking out social media for reviews or ask around when you pay a visit to a local stroke support group.

Work With A Stroke Physical Therapy Near Me

Muscle spasticity is just one of the many problems stroke survivors have to deal with. Fortunately, several techniques work wonders in coping with post-stroke challenges. One of which is seeking a team of physical therapists and fitness trainers. 

At iAM ABLE, we take pride in the quality of care and assistance we provide to our clients. We work closely with each client to develop tailored-fit programs that include physical therapy, gait training, and other techniques to help you stay in good shape and work around your impairments.

Additionally, we treat each client like a family and provide a solid support system that is much-needed by many during difficult times such as post-stroke recovery. 

Our fitness center in Miami has state-of-the-art equipment and a team of committed and passionate healthcare and fitness professionals who can help you embrace your second chance at life. We strongly recommend connecting with us as soon as possible. 

Download our eBook on overcoming and managing paralysis to learn essential tips you can use. Also, don’t hesitate to contact us at 305-283-9717 to learn more about how we can help you with your recovery journey.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.