This produces a much higher concentration of baclofen at the place it works in the spinal cord than can be achieved by taking pills and, at the same time, there is a very low concentration of baclofen in the blood so the usual side effects are eliminated. In addition to muscle stretching which was already recommended, massage, passive range of motion, heating, cooling, vibration and other modalities used during important hands-on treatment are employed by therapists of various kinds to help persons with spasticity. Some are clearly effective but others are of questionable value. This review should help people with spasticity understand it a little better and plan, with their medical team, what could be and should be done about it. For the best outcome, there is no substitute for careful and detailed communication among all concerned.
Every patient is unique with different problems, goals and needs.
Very seldom is spasticity successfully treated simply by taking a couple of pills every day. There are various levels of treatment as noted above and the simplest, least invasive approach which accomplishes the desired goals is obviously best. For most people, medical therapy is the way to go. Spasticity often needs to be treated and everyone with spasticity, particularly of spinal origin, deserves access to new and better treatments. For more detailed technical discussions of spasticity, the following will provide an entry into the medical literature.