Understanding Spasticity Part 5 What Spasticity Looks Like

Описание: Welcome to the fifth video in our 6-part educational series on multiple sclerosis (MS), spasticity, and muscle tone, created by the United Organization of Health Care Professionals. Now that we’ve explored how MS affects muscle tone, this video takes a closer look at what spasticity actually looks like and how it shows up in everyday movement.

Spasticity happens when the stretch reflex becomes overly sensitive due to disrupted electrical signals from the upper motor neurons. When these signals don’t travel properly, even small or fast movements can cause muscles to tighten more than they should.

In this video, you’ll learn:
• How spasticity can appear differently from person to person
• What stiffness, heaviness, or sudden tightening might feel like
• What spasms, clonus, and contractures are—and how they differ
• Common patterns such as curled fingers, pointed toes, or tightly folded limbs
• Why spasticity can make walking, standing, and everyday movement more challenging

Understanding these outward signs is an important step toward recognizing your symptoms and learning how to manage them. In the next video, we’ll explore how exercise can help reduce spasticity and improve movement.

Thank you for watching, and we’ll see you in Part 6.