{"id":5455,"date":"2026-09-25T22:15:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T22:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/spasticity\/"},"modified":"2026-09-27T10:13:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T10:13:57","slug":"spasticity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/spasticity\/","title":{"rendered":"Spasticity After Spinal Cord Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_567583763\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1106651891\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-230700012\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<style>\n.spag{background:linear-gradient(150deg,#14532D 0%,#166534 55%,#16A34A 100%);padding:44px 40px 40px;width:100%;overflow:hidden;}\n.spag *{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;padding:0;}\n.spag-in{max-width:860px;margin:0 auto;}\n.spag-row{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;margin-bottom:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;}\n.spag-tag{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.13em;text-transform:uppercase;background:rgba(255,255,255,.15);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.28);color:#fff;padding:4px 12px;border-radius:20px;white-space:nowrap;}\n.spag-line{flex:1;height:1px;background:rgba(255,255,255,.2);min-width:20px;}\n.spag-series{font-size:10px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.5);white-space:nowrap;}\n.spag-title{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:30px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.2;color:#fff;margin-bottom:12px;}\n.spag-sub{font-size:15px;font-weight:300;color:rgba(255,255,255,.85);line-height:1.65;max-width:600px;margin-bottom:24px;}\n.spag-stats{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;background:rgba(255,255,255,.1);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.2);border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;}\n.spag-stat{flex:1;min-width:100px;padding:12px 16px;border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);}\n.spag-stat:last-child{border-right:none;}\n.spag-num{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;line-height:1;margin-bottom:3px;}\n.spag-lbl{font-size:9px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.6);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;}\n@media(max-width:600px){\n.spag{padding:32px 20px 28px;}\n.spag-title{font-size:22px;}\n.spag-stat{border-right:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);flex:0 0 50%;}\n.spag-stat:nth-child(odd){border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);}\n.spag-stat:nth-last-child(-n+2){border-bottom:none;}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"spag\">\n  <div class=\"spag-in\">\n    <div class=\"spag-row\">\n      <span class=\"spag-tag\">SCI SECONDARY CONDITIONS &middot; MOTOR FUNCTION<\/span>\n      <span class=\"spag-line\"><\/span>\n      <span class=\"spag-series\">Standalone Guide<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"spag-title\">Spasticity After Spinal Cord Injury<\/div>\n    <div class=\"spag-sub\">Involuntary muscle tightening &mdash; called tone or spasticity &mdash; is one of the most common changes after SCI. Here is how it develops, how it&#8217;s measured, and the full range of treatments available today.<\/div>\n    <div class=\"spag-stats\">\n      <div class=\"spag-stat\"><div class=\"spag-num\">65&ndash;75%<\/div><div class=\"spag-lbl\">Of People With SCI<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"spag-stat\"><div class=\"spag-num\">~6 Wks<\/div><div class=\"spag-lbl\">Typical Onset<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"spag-stat\"><div class=\"spag-num\">12M+<\/div><div class=\"spag-lbl\">Affected Worldwide<\/div><\/div>\n      <div class=\"spag-stat\"><div class=\"spag-num\">0&ndash;5<\/div><div class=\"spag-lbl\">Ashworth Scale<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_567583763 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_277994617\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"is-border\"\n\t\tstyle=\"border-color:#BBF7D0;border-width:0 0 1px 0;\">\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-185695424\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-175265643\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:6px;font-size:12px;color:#475569;\">\n  <a href=\"\/en\/\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;\">Home<\/a>\n  <span style=\"opacity:.4;\">\/<\/span>\n  <a href=\"\/en\/sci-categories\/\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;\">SCI Categories<\/a>\n  <span style=\"opacity:.4;\">\/<\/span>\n  <span>Spasticity<\/span>\n  <span style=\"margin-left:auto;color:#64748B;font-size:11px;\">&#128197; Updated 2026 &nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &#128214; ~1,900 words &middot; 9 min read<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_277994617 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n  padding-bottom: 10px;\n  background-color: #F0FDF4;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1037847375\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1013211062\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1441196495\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"background:#F0FDF4;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;border-radius:10px;padding:22px 26px;margin-bottom:28px;\">\n  <p style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 14px;\">&#128203; In This Article<\/p>\n  <div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:5px 24px;\">\n    <ol style=\"padding-left:18px;margin:0;font-size:13px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:4px;\">\n      <li><a href=\"#s1\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Understanding Spasticity<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#s2\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">How It Develops<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#s3\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Symptoms &amp; Warning Signs<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#s4\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Getting a Diagnosis<\/a><\/li>\n    <\/ol>\n    <ol start=\"5\" style=\"padding-left:18px;margin:0;font-size:13px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:4px;\">\n      <li><a href=\"#s5\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Measuring Spasticity<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#s6\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Treatment Options<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#s7\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Physical Therapy<\/a><\/li>\n      <li><a href=\"#s8\" style=\"color:#166534;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Your Care Team<\/a><\/li>\n    <\/ol>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.8;color:#475569;border-left:4px solid #166534;padding-left:20px;margin:0 0 44px;font-weight:300;\">Spasticity, often called tone, is an involuntary tightening of one or more muscles that develops when the nervous system&#8217;s signalling pathways are disrupted. It affects most people with spinal cord injury to some degree &mdash; understanding how it works is the first step to managing it well.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1037847375 {\n  padding-top: 36px 0 0;\n  padding-bottom: 36px 0 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_846894082\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1107693061\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-219618119\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s1\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">Understanding Spasticity<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Sensory nerves carry messages from the body to the brain, which analyses them instantly and sends a response back through the motor system. When disease or injury disrupts that motor pathway, the message for movement is not received or is misread &mdash; the result is involuntary muscle tightening. People often use &#8220;spasticity&#8221; and &#8220;tone&#8221; interchangeably, but clinicians distinguish several related terms:<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:8px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">1<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Muscle spasm<\/strong> &mdash; a random, brief involuntary contraction anyone can experience (fatigue, dehydration, low potassium)<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">2<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Spasm<\/strong> &mdash; a single episode of involuntary contraction caused by upper motor neuron injury<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">3<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Spasticity (tone)<\/strong> &mdash; the collective term for recurrent, involuntary muscle contractions<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">4<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Hypertonia<\/strong> &mdash; a resting muscle so tight it becomes rigid and resists movement<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#E0F2FE;border-left:4px solid #0369A1;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 18px;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">&#128161;<\/span>\n  <div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#0369A1;margin:0 0 5px;\">Clonus<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">A rhythmic, beating form of spasticity, most often felt in the leg or arm, that can usually be interrupted by gently stretching the muscle.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_846894082 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_525360529\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1356970672\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1206327806\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s2\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">How Spasticity Develops<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 20px;\">Movement is controlled by two types of motor neurons. Which one is injured determines whether a muscle becomes spastic or flaccid.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"background:#F0FDF4;border-top:3px solid #166534;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 10px;\">Upper Motor Neurons (UMN)<\/p>\n    <div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n      <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\">\n        <span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span>\n        <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Originate in the brain&#8217;s motor strip<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\">\n        <span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span>\n        <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Cervical &amp; thoracic injuries typically affect these<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\">\n        <span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span>\n        <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Injury here leads to spasticity (tone)<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"background:#DCFCE7;border-top:3px solid #166534;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 10px;\">Lower Motor Neurons (LMN)<\/p>\n    <div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n      <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\">\n        <span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span>\n        <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Originate in the brainstem or spinal cord<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\">\n        <span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span>\n        <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Lumbar &amp; sacral injuries typically affect these<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\">\n        <span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span>\n        <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Injury here leads to flaccid (limp) muscles<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Mixed presentations are common. Each muscle has its own stretch reflex that keeps it lengthening and contracting normally. When a muscle is not moved &mdash; by functional use or by someone moving it for you &mdash; that reflex isn&#8217;t activated, and the muscle becomes hyperactive within itself. This is thought to be the muscle&#8217;s own way of seeking the stretch it is missing.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_525360529 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_230929901\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1327991699\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1374717584\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s3\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">Symptoms &amp; Warning Signs<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">After traumatic SCI, muscles are flaccid for the first six weeks; spasticity typically begins afterward and can develop quickly or as a slow twitch. In SCI from disease, onset tends to track disease progression. Common symptoms include:<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:8px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Increased muscle tone &amp; overactive reflexes<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Involuntary movements &amp; recurrent spasms<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Pain, tightness, and clonus<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Abnormal posture, contractures, joint deformity<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#FFF1F2;border-left:4px solid #BE123C;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 18px;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">&#128680;<\/span>\n  <div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 5px;\">A Sudden Change Is a Warning Sign<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">A sudden increase or change in your usual spasticity pattern can signal a new complication &mdash; a UTI, a pressure injury, or (in SCI) a fluid-filled cyst called a syrinx. Because reduced sensation can mask pain, the body may instead react with autonomic dysreflexia (a dangerous spike in blood pressure). Report sudden changes to your care team promptly.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_230929901 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_804815202\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1419444979\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1629789176\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s4\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">Getting a Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Only a neurological examination can establish whether an injury is UMN, LMN, or mixed. A full work-up typically includes:<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">1<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Medical &amp; family history, plus a full physical exam<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">2<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Complete neurological exam &mdash; mental status, sensory, motor, reflexes, proprioception<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">3<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\"><strong>EMG<\/strong> (electromyogram) and <strong>NCS<\/strong> (nerve conduction study) to test muscle and nerve function<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">4<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">MRI or CT scan to visually inspect the nerves<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#166534;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">5<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">For SCI specifically, a full ASIA \/ AIS dermatome assessment, repeated periodically<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_804815202 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_322180847\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-286703209\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1935413451\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s5\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">Measuring Spasticity<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">The <strong>Modified Ashworth Scale<\/strong> is the most widely used measure of spasticity, performed by moving a limb passively and rating the resistance felt:<\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:13px;\">\n<tr style=\"background:#166534;\">\n  <td style=\"padding:10px 14px;color:#fff;font-weight:700;border-radius:8px 0 0 0;\">Score<\/td>\n  <td style=\"padding:10px 14px;color:#fff;font-weight:700;border-radius:0 8px 0 0;\">What It Means<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#F0FDF4;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">0<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">No increase in muscle tone<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">1<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">Slight catch and release, or minimal resistance at the end of range<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#F0FDF4;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">2<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">A catch, then minimal resistance through less than half the range<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">3<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">Marked increase through most of the range, but still easily moved<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#F0FDF4;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">4<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">Considerable increase &mdash; passive movement is difficult<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;\">5<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;\">Limb is rigid in flexion or extension<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">The <strong>Tardieu and Modified Tardieu Scales<\/strong> (often used in children) test resistance at three speeds and are considered more precise, while a <strong>goniometer<\/strong> measures joint range of motion to identify a contracture. Newer kinematic devices are emerging in research and larger rehabilitation centres.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_322180847 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_174972265\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1864746175\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-842059174\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s6\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">Treatment Options<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Not everyone wants treatment &mdash; mild tone can help with transfers or reduce pressure-injury and clot risk. Treatment is usually sought when spasticity interferes with daily life, sleep, or bladder, bowel and breathing function. Most people need several approaches together.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DCFCE7;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#128170;<\/div>\n    <div>\n      <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Non-Prescription: Activity &amp; Self-Calming<\/p>\n      <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Regular movement feeds the muscle stretch reflex; meditation, distraction, and biofeedback help some people manage discomfort.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DCFCE7;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#128138;<\/div>\n    <div>\n      <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Oral Medications<\/p>\n      <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Baclofen, clonazepam, dantrolene, diazepam or tizanidine relax muscles body-wide. Dosing is individual; never stop suddenly &mdash; taper under medical guidance to avoid withdrawal and rebound spasms.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DCFCE7;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#128137;<\/div>\n    <div>\n      <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Injectable Medications<\/p>\n      <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) and abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) target a single muscle, typically repeated every 3&ndash;6 months. Nerve blocks act on a single nerve; phenol nerve blocks are permanent and rarely used today.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DCFCE7;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#9889;<\/div>\n    <div>\n      <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Electrical Stimulation<\/p>\n      <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">A portable TENS unit delivers surface impulses that interrupt spasticity or fatigue the muscle; settings vary by person.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#F0FDF4;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BBF7D0;\">\n    <div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DCFCE7;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#127973;<\/div>\n    <div>\n      <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Surgical &amp; Implantable Options<\/p>\n      <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">An implanted baclofen pump delivers medication directly to the spinal fluid for severe cases. Tendon release\/lengthening, and &mdash; in select paediatric cerebral palsy cases &mdash; selective dorsal rhizotomy, are reserved for when other options aren&#8217;t enough.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_174972265 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_513496461\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1931208634\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1064928566\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s7\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">Physical Therapy Techniques<\/h2>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n    <div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#129497;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Gentle Stretching<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Fatigues and relaxes the muscle; sharp or jerky motions make tone worse.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n    <div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#129465;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Casts, Splints &amp; Braces<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Hold muscles in a lengthened position to prevent contractures.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n    <div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#128694;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Standing Frames<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Bear weight through the muscles, stretching them under load.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n    <div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#127939;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Strengthening<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Rebalances opposing muscle groups; stronger muscles spasm less.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n    <div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#10052;&#65039;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Cold \/ Heat Therapy<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Use only under a therapist&#8217;s guidance if sensation is reduced.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n    <div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#128268;<\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Whole-Body Vibration<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Gentle mechanical oscillation thought to lower muscle excitation.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_513496461 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_281204354\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1491780704\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-465368243\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s8\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#14532D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DCFCE7;margin:0 0 16px;\">Your Care Team<\/h2>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:10px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Physiatrist \/ Primary Provider<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Diagnoses spasticity, tracks progress, and orders therapies, medications and other treatments.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Physical Therapist<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Delivers strengthening and major whole-body spasticity treatments.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Occupational Therapist<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Targets local areas of concern that affect daily activities.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#14532D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Rehabilitation Nurse<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Helps you understand treatment options and monitors progress.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_281204354 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1321463383\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1783359545\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1602021024\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"background:#14532D;padding:36px 40px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;\">\n<div style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;margin:0 0 18px;\">Resources &amp; Further Reading<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:14px;\">\n  <div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Reeve Foundation Information Specialists<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);margin:0;\">Toll-free 800-539-7309 &middot; weekdays 9am&ndash;8pm ET<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center<\/p>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/msktc.org\/sci\/factsheets\/Spasticity\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">msktc.org\/sci\/factsheets\/Spasticity &mdash; plain-language spasticity fact sheet<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n  <div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)<\/p>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ninds.nih.gov &mdash; spasticity research and clinical trial listings<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n  <div>\n    <p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Craig Hospital &amp; Shepherd Center<\/p>\n    <p style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);margin:0;\">SCI specialty rehabilitation resources and spasticity clinics<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1321463383 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_747130139\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-582484327\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-989440339\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"background:#14532D;padding:36px 40px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;\">\n<div style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;margin:0 0 18px;\">Key Takeaways<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;\">\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n    <div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Spasticity affects 65&ndash;75% of people with SCI, usually beginning about six weeks after traumatic injury.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n    <div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">A sudden change in your usual spasticity pattern deserves a call to your care team &mdash; it can be the first sign of a UTI, pressure injury, or other complication.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n    <div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Treatment is not one-size-fits-all &mdash; most people combine activity, oral or injectable medication, and physical therapy techniques.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n    <div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n    <p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Never stop an oral spasticity medication suddenly &mdash; always taper under medical supervision.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_747130139 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1269437525\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"is-border\"\n\t\tstyle=\"border-color:#E2E8F0;border-width:1px 0 0 0;\">\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-709670402\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1367087690\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#64748B;line-height:1.7;margin:0;\">Adapted from the Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center &middot; For educational purposes only &mdash; always consult your care team &copy; 2026 AccessLife<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1269437525 {\n  padding-top: 16px 0 8px;\n  padding-bottom: 16px 0 8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5455","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5455"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5580,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5455\/revisions\/5580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}