MS stiffness is experienced by many Multiple Sclerosis sufferers at some point during the progress of their disease. Though the severity of Multiple Sclerosis stiffness can vary from person to person, even mild symptoms can create problems with mobility or with carrying out everyday tasks. The condition can even cause pain and discomfort, especially if it deteriorates. MS stiffness is sometimes called spasticity, and though it can seriously affect your quality of life, there are treatments and therapies that can help relieve the symptoms of this condition. Often Multiple Sclerosis stiffness can get worse at night, with the affected limbs “jerking” and keeping the sufferer awake. As it is important for anyone with MS to be as healthy as possible, if this spasticity is affecting your sleep patterns or preventing you from doing things you used to do, ask your doctor for help.
Other symptoms of MS stiffness
Along with stiff and jerking limbs, Multiple Sclerosis stiffness can also cause pain and discomfort to the sufferer. This can sometimes feel like the aches and pains you get after exercising too much, caused by the tension in the muscles, or there can also be nerve pain associated with MS stiffness. This is usually treated with different painkillers, as the symptoms of this kind of pain are different too. Multiple Sclerosis stiffness is caused by the damage to the central nervous system and nerves throughout the body. As they are damaged, they can go into shock or spasm, causing limbs to become stiff and tensed, or even to lock into position. This is why physical therapies can be important for patients experiencing MS stiffness.
Treating Multiple Sclerosis stiffness
Unfortunately, there are no drugs that can fix the problem of MS stiffness, but there are medications that can alleviate the symptoms and allow sufferers to continue with a normal life. Physiotherapy and massage can help loosen and relax limbs that have been affected by Multiple Sclerosis stiffness, while an occupational therapist will be able to show you how to carry out everyday tasks that have become difficult because of the spasticity. Drugs called anticonvulsants can often help relieve the symptoms of MS stiffness. They are usually given to epileptics, but work in the same way in MS patients by stopping affected nerves from going into spasms.
