Spasticity is a neurological condition that causes uncontrollable muscle contractions and stiffness that affect your mobility. What many people don’t realize about spasticity is that its root cause relates to dysfunction in the connection between the brain and muscles.
At Integrated Neurology Services in Alexandria, Lorton, and Falls Church, Virginia, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of spasticity. Advanced technologies are available in the office to assess your neurological health and evaluate the severity of spasticity symptoms.
Our skilled medical team focuses on treatments like Botox® and muscle-relaxing medications to control your symptoms. They also offer referrals to physical and occupational therapists for rehabilitative care, so you can regain your mobility and independence.
Spasticity is a characteristic of neurological injuries that disrupt communication between the muscles and the brain. The condition describes the contraction of groups of muscles all at once when you’re active and at rest.
The contracted muscles can prevent movement and, if the contractions affect your mouth, face and throat muscles, can interfere with speech. Spasticity may also cause:
The root cause of spasticity relates to damage in the nerves within the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and brain. When signals between the system and your muscles no longer communicate properly, you lose muscle control and contractions occur involuntarily.
Central nerve damage that triggers spasticity can result from events like traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries and stroke. You may also be at increased risk for spasticity if you have neurological disorders like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Spasticity symptoms can range from mild to debilitating and may interfere with your ability to stay active and take care of yourself.
As the severity of spasticity progresses, a number of complications can develop. Untreated spasticity can result in:
Preventing these complications is possible with early diagnosis and treatment. Integrated Neurology Services offers customized treatment plans for people experiencing spasticity to minimize symptom severity and prevent additional nerve damage and musculoskeletal complications.
Our board-certified neurologists prioritize nonsurgical treatments to address the involuntary muscle contractions of spasticity. Several oral medications are available to improve your mobility and ease pain.
We also specialize in Botox therapy that can provide months of pain relief. This injectable medication paralyzes spastic muscles by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that contributes to involuntary muscle movements.
When spasticity symptoms are debilitating, our physicians may recommend intrathecal baclofen, an implantable device in the abdomen that delivers medications through a catheter into the spinal fluid.
Our team discusses the appropriate treatment based on your symptoms. As you regain your mobility, you can benefit from physical or occupational therapy to restore muscle function, strength, and flexibility. We can also refer you to a speech therapist if spasticity occurs in your face, mouth, or throat muscles.
Call Integrated Neurology Services today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of spasticity. You can also book a consultation online.
