Understanding and Managing MS Spasms and Muscle Stiffness

🌟 Introduction

When you live with a condition like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), unexpected muscle tone, stiffness, and spasms can be an unavoidable if annoying reality. They're just annoying, painful, and disruptive. You're not alone in this struggle, and there are methods for managing these symptoms to improve your sense of control. 💛

This guide is designed to help you understand what's going on in your body, identify your triggers, and introduce you to effective treatments that will improve your overall comfort.

🤔 What Are MS Spasms and Muscle Stiffness?

MS spasticity is when your muscles feel tight, stiff, or suddenly contract without you moving them at all. It’s really common among those with MS and can impact your balance, comfort, and everyday living in a big way.

  • Spasticity = muscle tightness and resistance to movement
  • Spasms = sudden, uncontrollable muscle contractions (can be painful!)
  • Stiffness = that constant tight feeling that makes moving a chore

These symptoms can take many forms. You can feel great some days with little to no symptoms and other days, it might feel like it's overwhelming. However, the first step, recognizing them, is so important for managing them. 🙌

🧬 What’s Going on in Your Body?

The brain and spinal cord are the command center for movement. MS interrupts the communication between them and your muscles by damaging the protective covering (myelin) on your nerves.

💥 This disruption causes:

  • Clonus: rapid, rhythmic muscle twitches (like a bouncing foot)
  • Flexor spasms: sudden limb bending (hello, surprise knee jerk!)
  • Extensor/adductor spasms: limbs straightening or pulling inward (ouch!)

These are classic signs your nervous system is struggling to keep your muscles in check.

🧍How Symptoms Affect Daily Life

Picture this: You're in line somewhere — then — bam! Your leg jostles or stiffens. Or it's nighttime and your legs are twitching so much you can't sleep. If this sounds familiar...😴

Here is a real-life observation from Ann, a teacher with MS: "At first it starts with my big toe... then it builds to a leg spasm. It can last hours!"

Stiffness has the potential to disrupt more than large movements. Stiffness can affect completing even the simplest tasks such as buttoning a shirt, writing a note, or holding a fork. 🖊️🍽️ Mobility challenges are annoying, but we can manage them with the right tools and support!

🔍 Spotting Your Triggers

Understanding what sets off your spasms and stiffness can be a game-changer. Common culprits include:

  • Stress 😣
  • Fatigue 🛌
  • Infections 🤒
  • Temperature changes 🌡️
  • Tight clothing 👖
  • Poor hydration 🥤
  • Skipping medications 💊
  • Nutrient deficiencies (especially magnesium, potassium, and calcium). Want supplements for people with MS? Click here.

📝 Top Tip: Keep a symptom journal. Write down what you were doing, eating, or feeling when symptoms struck. Patterns will emerge that can help you and your care team develop a smarter plan.

📱 Try mobile apps like MyMS or SymTrac to track symptoms and meds — easier than carrying around a notebook!

🩺 Getting a Diagnosis

Doctors use different tools to figure out the severity of your symptoms:

  • Modified Ashworth Scale: rates muscle resistance
  • Tardieu Scale: checks how your muscles respond to stretch
  • Gait analysis: looks at how you walk 👣

Your care team may include:

  • Neurologists: MS experts who coordinate your care
  • Physiotherapists: help with movement and mobility
  • MS nurses: your go-to guides for day-to-day support
  • Occupational therapists: help you adapt your environment for better function

💊 Treatment Options: Medications

Some medications can help relax your muscles and reduce spasms:

  • Baclofen: helps calm overactive nerves
  • Tizanidine: reduces muscle tone
  • Diazepam (Valium): good for night-time spasms, but long-term use needs caution
  • Dantrolene: works directly on muscles to reduce stiffness
  • Gabapentin or Pregabalin: sometimes prescribed if nerve pain is also present
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox): can target specific muscles for localized relief 💉

Always talk with your healthcare provider about side effects and the best options for your specific symptoms.

🧘Non-Medication Therapies

Sometimes, movement is the best medicine!

  • Physiotherapy: custom stretches and mobility work
  • Occupational therapy: helpful tools and techniques for daily tasks
  • Stretching routines: especially helpful in the morning or before bed
  • Massage therapy: promotes relaxation and reduces tightness. Want a massage chair? Click here.
  • Hydrotherapy: gentle movement in warm water 💦

🏃Gentle, regular activity can make a huge difference in reducing stiffness.

⚡ Advanced Options

If meds and therapy aren’t enough, don’t worry — there are still more tools:

  • Electrical stimulation: devices that send pulses to relax muscles
  • Intrathecal baclofen pump: a small device implanted in the body for severe spasticity
  • Surgery: only in rare, extreme cases

These options are usually considered when other treatments don’t provide sufficient relief.

🌿 Lifestyle & Complementary Approaches

Let’s not forget the power of healthy living:

  • Yoga or Tai Chi: great for flexibility, balance, and relaxation 🧘
  • Aquatic therapy: exercise in water is low-impact and soothing
  • Stay hydrated & eat balanced meals 🥗
  • Maintain a consistent sleep schedule 🕰️
  • Reduce caffeine and alcohol to prevent dehydration

Some people also try CBD or acupuncture — talk to your doctor first!

😖 Dealing with Pain

Spasms and stiffness can be painful, sometimes a dull aching pain or sharp pain. You may also get back pains from bad posture or from over compensating during a movement.

Pain management tools:

  • Heat therapy ♨️
  • Massage and foam rolling
  • Topical creams with menthol or capsaicin
  • Pain meds (if needed)
  • Mindfulness or CBT for pain perception
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units for nerve pain

😴 Night Spasms and Sleep

Night-time spasms are common and frustrating. If your sleep’s taking a hit, here’s what can help:

  • Warm baths before bed 🛁
  • Gentle stretching
  • Supportive pillows for better posture
  • Cooling mattresses or sheets if heat is a trigger
  • Talk to your doc about nighttime meds or melatonin

Better sleep = better energy = better MS management! 🌙

🧠 Emotional & Mental Health

Living with MS is tough on your mind, not just your body. Anxiety, frustration, or even depression can creep in — and stress makes spasms worse!

You deserve support. 💚

  • Therapy (CBT can be great)
  • Support groups (in-person or online)
  • Meditation or breathing exercises
  • Gratitude journaling 📓
  • Creative outlets like art or music 🎨🎶
  • Breathwork could work

🛡️ Prevention & Long-Term Tips

Managing spasms long-term takes a team approach. Here’s what helps:

  • Ergonomic furniture and smart home setups 🪑
  • Mobility aids when needed (don’t wait too long!)
  • Regular check-ins with your care team
  • Preventing contractures with daily stretches
  • Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce joint pressure

Consistent physical activity tailored to your abilities

🚨 When to Seek Medical Help

Sometimes, it’s not just a routine spasm. Get urgent help if:

  • Spasms are sudden and severe
  • There’s a major loss of movement or function
  • You suspect a relapse or infection
  • Spasms are accompanied by fever or unexplained pain

When in doubt, always call your MS nurse or doctor. 📞

🛠️ Resources and Support

You’re not alone in this journey. 💙

  • MS Society UK: info, community, helplines
  • Apps: MyMS, SymTrac, MSAA's My MS Manager
  • Books: "Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis" by George Jelinek, "Managing the Symptoms of MS"
  • Podcasts and YouTube Channels for MS awareness and motivation 🎧
  • Local MS charities often offer free physiotherapy or wellness classes

✅ Conclusion

Managing MS spasms and rigidity is not only about the medications but recognizing your body, learning your triggers and compiling a personal kit of strategies. It is possible to regain control – with an appropriate mix of clinical support, lifestyle changes and self-care. 💪

Be kind to yourself: healing and adapting are forever evolving processes, so keep questioning, tracking your symptoms and moving forward. You've got this! 💫

📚 References

  • Multiple Sclerosis Society UK. "Spasticity, MS Spasms & Stiffness." www.mssociety.org.uk
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "Spasticity and Spasms." www.nationalmssociety.org
  • NHS. "Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - Symptoms." www.nhs.uk
  • Jelinek, G. "Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis." Allen & Unwin, 2016.
  • MS Trust UK. "Managing muscle stiffness and spasms." www.mstrust.org.uk
  • Brola W, Fudala M, Gacek S. "Spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis: pathophysiology, evaluation, and management." Current Neurology & Neuroscience Reports. 2022.
  • Zettl UK et al. "Spasticity in multiple sclerosis: results of a patient survey." International Journal of MS Care, 2014.

Related Posts

Back to blog