Spasticity

After sustaining a TBI, stroke/CVA, MS, SCI, or other neurological injury, patient will often experience patterns of spasticity. These muscle patterns are innate to the brain and used to promote function, however, sometimes it can become debilitating during daily functional activities.  Spasticity often presents with increased flexor tone in the upper extremities, patients will often have their shoulder internally rotated, elbow flexed and wrist/fingers flexed. Spasticity if often treated with botox shots, muscle relaxers, PT/OT, Intrathecal injections, and other medications. The difference between spasticity and high tone is spasticity being velocity dependent, slow and steady wins the race. Given the complexity of the hand, it is often one of the last body parts to fully recover. During recovery, It is important to stretch the hand and incorporate it in functional activity with good proprioceptive input while working on upper body strengthening and walking.

At Hands on NeuroRehab we use evidenced based approaches to improve spasticity and loss of mobility and function after a traumatic brain injury or stroke. We focus on Neuromuscular re-education, muscle activation, core stability, stretching, strengthening, and coordination training to improve hand function following a injury. With advanced education in orthopedic manual therapy and neurological rehabilitation patients can return back to meaningful activities and independence. Contact HandsOnNeuroRehab today to help you or your loved one overcome challenges and achieve long-lasting, positive outcomes for all hand and upper extremity conditions.