Marijuana and Spasticity

How MMJ Health can help Patients with Spasticity

What is Spasticity?

Characterized by muscle stiffness and involuntary contractions, Spasticity is a condition that occurs as a result of damage in the brain or spinal cord. It disrupts the normal communication between nerves and muscles, causing an imbalance in muscle control.

Spasticity is a complex neurological condition that manifests as an exaggerated muscle response, causing tightness, rigidity and jerky movements and it usually occurs as part of other conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury or stroke.

Not all individuals affected by spasticity experience it in the same way; some have mild stiffness while others show severe muscle tightness. However, they all share a diminished quality of life as routine activities that most people take for granted such as walking, reaching objects or even maintaining a proper posture may become a challenge to spastic individuals. In addition, both the involuntary muscle contractions and the stiffness can also be painful, limiting and uncomfortable thus preventing individuals from participating in social or recreational activities.

Medical marijuana has shown promising results in helping patients with Spasticity thanks to the muscle-relaxant and analgesic properties present in some of the cannabinoids found in cannabis that can help ease the stiffness and reduce the pain that these patients tend to experience.

If you or somebody you love suffers from Spasticity, at MMJ Health we are willing and ready to help you. Our medical marijuana doctors can help you determine the right strain, dosage and mode of administration that best fits your individuals needs and preferences. Their expertise and knowledge can provide you with the most suitable treatment and make sure that any potential side effect is properly monitored. Book a consultation at any of our 9 clinics in Florida today and let us help you ease your Spasticity symptoms.

What causes of Spasticity?

Spasticity can be caused by accidents or existing underlying problems.These scenarios likely caused damage to the brain and/or certain body parts. The affected regions with the damaged nerves can result in abnormal muscle contractions. Usually, these are problems associated with brain damage. Here are some causes of Spasticity:

Neurodegenerative Disorders: Parkinson’s is an example of a disease that can cause spasticity. In Parkinson’s Disease, there’s a progressive loss of cells in the brain that produce dopamine, which is essential for the coordination of muscle movements. As the disease progresses, the disruption in dopamine levels can lead to muscle stiffness and rigidity, in other words, to Spasticity.
Brain infections: Meningitis and encephalitis cause damage and inflammation to the brain, impacting the nerves, resulting in spasticity. The inflammation and damage to the brain tissue can impact the nerves responsible for muscle control. Depending on the severity and location of the brain damage, the extent and location of spasticity symptoms will be determined.

Brain tumors: Due to exerting pressure on the brain, this disrupts normal brain function. This is why individuals with brain tumors may experience Spasticity as the communication between the brain and the muscles is compromised.
Spinal cord injury: The spinal cord plays a crucial role in transmitting signals between the brain and the muscles. If the spinal cord is damaged, the signals between the brain and the muscles can be blocked or disrupted, which can lead to muscle contractions, spasms and stiffness _ all characteristics of Spasticity.
Multiple Sclerosis: This is an autoimmune disease that impacts the central nervous system. It damages the nerves, leading to spasticity.

It’s worth mentioning that these are only some of the many potential causes of Spasticity. The underlying cause of Spasticity can influence the location, severity and treatment approach for managing the condition. This is why it’s so important to perform a comprehensive evaluation in order to determine the cause and develop the best treatment plan possible.

Different Types of Spasticity

Spasticity is generally the stiffness and uncontrollable spasms of muscles but it has types depending on the underlying causes. These are some types of spasticity:

Clasp-Knife Spasticity: This type of Spasticity is characterized by a sudden decrease in resistance during the passive movement of a limb. Resembling the opening of a pocket knife, this occurs when the muscle is stretched further and there is a sudden decrease in resistance during the passive movement of a limb. It’s often observed in conditions where there’s damage to the upper motor neurons in the brain or spinal cord.
Flexor Spasticity: Affecting the flexor muscles responsible for bending or flexing joints, this leads to increased muscle tone and stiffness. It usually results in the difficulty of straightening affected limbs, causing a flexed posture. In this flexed posture, the limbs can be held in a position of reduced extension, thus contributing to limiting the range of motion and the individual’s ability to perform those tasks that require extending or straightening the limbs.
Rigidity: Affecting both the flexor and extensor muscles simultaneously, this results in a rigid posture and limited range of motion.Rigidity can limit the range of motion and make it challenging to initiate or control involuntary movements. This type of Spasticity tends to be linked to certain forms of Dystonia and Parkinson’s disease.
Spasms: These are sudden muscle contractions that can occur with varying degrees of intensities. These result in tightening sensations in the muscle in varying degrees. Spasms can be brief and isolated or they can manifest as prolonged episodes of muscle tightness and spasms. When spasms are related to Spasticity, they can cause tightening sensations in the muscles, which can cause mild discomfort to severe pain. People experience spasms in different ways; for some, they are triggered by certain movements or positions and for others they are triggered by sensory stimuli.
Hypertonia: Hypertonia is characterized by increased muscle tone and resistance to passive movements. This will often lead to stiffness, resulting in difficulties in initiating or controlling voluntary movements. This condition can result in a constant state of increased muscle tone, thus leading to difficulties in relaxation and impaired flexibility. It’s commonly associated with conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury.
Dystonia: Characterized by sustained muscle contractions that result in repetitive twisting movements, it is usually painful when moving. This usually affects various muscle groups and leads to abnormal postures or repetitive involuntary movements. It can be painful, especially when the individual tries to move the affected muscles. Dystonia can occur in isolation or as a symptom of certain neurological disorders.

Each type of Spasticity usually requires specific management strategies and treatments. It’s important to consult with knowledgeable healthcare professionals that can assess the specific type of Spasticity you suffer and therefore develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address the symptoms and improve your functional abilities.

Symptoms of Spasticity

Some symptoms of Spasticity include:

Pain: Ranging from mild to severe, the pain can be localized to specific muscles, limbs, or body regions and different individuals may experience it in different degrees. Spasticity can lead muscle fibers to become fatigued and strained, resulting in soreness and achiness.
Abnormal Posture: Due to excessive muscle stiffness, the alignment of the spine and limbs can be affected. This will cause difficulties in performing daily activities. The abnormal posture can manifest as an abnormal curvature of the spine, contractures, or misalignment of joints and they can make it difficult for the individual to maintain a balanced posture and perform everyday activities.
Muscle Weakness: Muscle weakness is the result of the constant strain and spastic contractions and it can lead to increased difficulty in performing tasks that require strength and endurance and to a reduced overall functional ability.

Bad coordination: The spasms associated with spasticity can result in jerky and uncontrolled motions that makes it difficult to perform precise tasks. The lack of coordination can impact on the individual’s independence and ability to write, draw, type or button their clothes for instance.
Limited Functions: The combination of everything above impacts actions such as walking, reach, and even grasping objects. Needless to say, the cumulative effects of these symptoms have a negative impact on the individual’s quality of life.

Diagnosing Spasticity

To correctly diagnose the types and level of severity of spasticity, doctors run a series of tests. Here are some of the steps the doctors usually perform:

Physical Examination: This step will usually be conducted to determine reflexes, muscle tone, coordination, and the range of motions. Your healthcare provider does this to find any increase in muscle tone, spasms, and abnormal postures.
Medical History: Spasticity may be caused by neurological diseases. The doctor will assess prior medical history to check for past conditions that may indicate the start of spasticity.
Functional Assessment: In this evaluation, the doctor may assess the impact of spasticity on the individual. They may ask questions and run tests about how the patient functions on the daily with their current mobility.
Electromyography (EMG): This diagnostic test measures the electrical activity of muscles. It can be used to assess the function of nerves and muscles, to determine the activity and identify any anomalies.
Imaging Studies: Due to spasticity’s link to neurological diseases, these imaging tests, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can help identify tumors and lesions that put pressure on the brain.

Best Terpenes for Spasticity

There is currently no cure for spasticity. However, there are studies that show that medical marijuana may help alleviate pain and control spasms. Here are some good terpenes for helping in spasticity:

Limonene

Besides uplifting and enhancing moods, Limonene can also help reduce inflammation and muscle tension thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Linalool

Known for its calming effects, this terpene helps reduce anxiety and relax the muscles. Scientists have also found that Linalool has anxiolytic properties. Since it can promote a sense of relaxation, its calming effects can help relax muscles and reduce spasticity.

Myrcene

Due to its relaxing effects, this can help calm muscle spasms and give relaxation. Its sedative effects can contribute to managing Spasticity symptoms and promote a sense of overall relaxation.

Alpha-pinene

This terpene assists in relieving muscle inflammation, lessening the stiffness of muscles. By alleviating inflammation, it has the potential to lessen muscle stiffness and promote improved muscle function.

Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene is recognized for its potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It may help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation associated with spasticity. It has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that may help in the spasms and pain associated with spasticity.

Although terpenes have shown potential benefits for patients suffering from Spasticity, it’s important to bear in mind that their effects can vary depending on the specific plant strain and individual response. If you’re interested in adding these terpenes to your treatment, make sure you receive the guidance of a healthcare professional experienced in medical marijuana treatments as the ones available at our clinics in Florida.

Best Strain for Spasticity

There are some cannabis strains that have potential positive effects on patients suffering from Spasticity. The marijuana doctors at MMJ Health rely on Harle-Tsu to assist patients with this condition. Let’s look more in depth into this cannabis strain to learn why it’s our top choice:

Harle-Tsu

Famous for its high CBD and low THC levels, Harle-Tsu has attracted the attention of cannabis connoisseurs and medical marijuana doctors due to its potential therapeutic properties, especially for conditions like Spasticity.

Its high CBD content may help promote muscle relaxation, thus alleviating muscle stiffness and tension commonly associated with Spasticity. Its anti-inflammatory effects may improve overall comfort while producing minimal psychoactive effects thanks to its low THC levels. In addition, Harle-Tsu has shown potential as a pain reliever.

Since the individual’s response to cannabis strains can vary, it’s important to remember that the use of Harle-Tsu or any other strain for Spasticity has to be done under the guidance of an experienced healthcare professional who can determine the most suitable strain, dosage and mode of administration to optimize its benefits and minimize its side effects.

Best Online Tools for Spasticity

Spasticity can limit movements and may often make travelling hard. Here are some online applications and groups that may support in between check-up sessions and therapies:

Medical Cannabis Information Portals: Due to emerging studies of cannabis helping alleviate symptoms of spasticity, websites such as Leafly and Project CBD offer information on medical cannabis as well as strain profiles and guidance for dosage.
Spasticity Management Apps: Websites like the Spasticity Alliance offer information on spasticity such as treatments and self-care strategies. They also offer research updates on the studies regarding spasticity.
Physical Therapy Resources: Physiopedia and Therapydia are some sites that offer exercise videos and instructional materials to self-guiding therapies with at-home targeted stretches and exercises.
Online Support Communities: There are some Facebook groups and more online forums to connect with individuals experiencing spasticity. These online communities offer support and tips especially for individuals who are new to spasticity.

What can a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor do for Spasticity

Spasticity is a condition that greatly limits movements. This can prevent individuals from doing even the simplest day-to-day tasks and can impact social needs due to the challenge of going outside. These are not only physically taxing, but also mentally depleting. MMJ Health, with its nine convenient locations, a team of well-rounded doctors and staff, as well as responsive online customer service, can help pair individuals with correct medical cannabis to alleviate spasticity and give normality for everyday endeavors. Let MMJ Health help guide you through this journey and help minimize pitfalls that may result in more damage.