Dealing with a Spastic Body | Ask Aaron

Check out Rahul’s question to Aaron Baker, our Spinal Cord Injury Lifestyle Specialist, about how to combat having a spastic body:

Aaron:

I have c6 injury in March 2016 and right now I have lots of spasm in my whole body spastic body. Am taking 60mg Baclofan tablet but there it’s not doing anything. The problem is increasing day by day even am not able to sit in my wheelchair comfortably just because of tightness. It’s my trunk, abdomen, back, all body spastic. Please suggest to me how to overcome such difficulties. It’s totally worsening my life.

-Rahul

Hi Rahul,

I am sorry to hear about your severe spasticity, but thank you for reaching out with your question. I, too, live with spastic paralysis and I have many friends that suffer the same. We all differ with what seems to help. I have found though, that consistent stretching, light exercise, plenty of water, quality food and rest all affect my spasticity. If I have an ailment, such as an injury, illness, dehydration, constipation, full bladder, or extreme exhaustion, my spasticity increases. Make sure your shoes fit and you aren’t suffering ingrown toenails or pressure wounds, as those are extreme causes for distress in the body, which triggers spasms. Try to analyze your lifestyle and listen to your body, because a lot of times spasticity is a signal your body is trying to send your brain that something is wrong. Be sure to discuss with your doctor ways to experiment dosages for Baclofan, or maybe a Baclofan pump. I choose not to take medication, but everyone has to find what works for them.

Good luck,
Aaron

Find more information about spasticity and managing your body:

• Spasticity & Spasms: Part 1 – Insight into my Spastic Paralysis
• Spasticity & Spasms: Part 2 – How I Manage My Possessed Body
• Managing Your Body – Life with a Spinal Cord Injury
• Temperature Roller Coaster: The Ups & Downs Of Thermoregulation
• Autonomic Dysreflexia: A Dangerous Secondary Complication of Spinal Cord Injury