Spasticity is a movement disorder that affects about 12 million Americans, including people with cerebral palsy and those who suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury.
At Integrated Neurology Services PLLC, we specialize in the management of spasticity and other movement disorders, so you can live a healthy, happy, active life.
Our highly skilled neurologists offer the latest treatments to improve your mobility and restore your quality of life. One of the least invasive treatments we offer for spasticity is Botox®, an injectable medication that can give you a new lease on life.
Spasticity causes abnormal, involuntary muscle contractions due to miscommunication between the brain and muscles. While muscles in any part of the body can be affected by spasticity, the condition most often affects leg muscles.
Causes of spasticity can include neurological conditions like:
You may also be prone to spasticity due to congenital factors that disrupt the flow of signals from your brain to your muscles.
Spasticity causes your muscles to stay contracted and resist being stretched. The constant state of contraction can alter your gait, making walking difficult, and even affect your speech.
Spasticity symptoms can range from mild to life-altering and include:
Many people who have spasticity also experience sleep disruptions because of frequent muscle tightness and painful spasms. If left unmanaged, spasticity can lead to dislocated joints, joint deformities, bone fractures, and even chronic constipation.
Integrated Neurology Services PLLC offers on-site diagnostic testing to identify the cause of spasticity and assess the severity of your symptoms.
Our team takes the least invasive approach to relieve pain and other symptoms. We often recommend Botox therapy as a first line of treatment for spasticity and other movement disorders.
Botox is an injectable medication that blocks chemical signals between the brain and the muscles. The treatment eases the severity of contractions and gives your muscles the opportunity to relax.
Botox therapy involves injecting the medication directly into the affected muscles. Because Botox doesn’t move far from the injection site, our provider may perform multiple injections during your visit.
We can also use ultrasound guidance to ensure the accurate placement of each injection, so you get full benefit from treatment.
Within a few hours, many people notice less stiffness in their muscles and enjoy increased range of motion in the treatment area. Our physicians may recommend routine follow-up injections about every three months to keep your muscles relaxed.
In addition to Botox therapy, you can also engage in daily stretching exercises to keep your muscles strong and flexible. We can also refer you to a physical therapist if you have moderate to severe spasticity and need help maximizing your mobility.
Call Integrated Neurology Services PLLC in Alexandria, Lorton, or Falls Church, Virginia, today to find out if you’re a candidate for Botox therapy to treat spasticity. You can also request an appointment online.
