Whole-body stiffness is a state in which the muscles of the body contract severely and tightly and cannot be controlled, which is different from the ordinary muscle pain we may meet in daily life. Anyone who has met this state will feel severe discomfort, and sometimes it may greatly affect daily life. This article will take you to a comprehensive understanding of the causes, the symptoms, and the approach to treating whole-body stiffness, so that you can care for the health of yourself and those you love appropriately.

Understanding whole-body stiffness: what is it?

Before we come to understand the way of treating it, the important thing is to know clearly what whole-body stiffness is like and how it differs from other conditions, because correct diagnosis leads to the most effective treatment.

Muscle stiffness

The character of the stiffness often met

Whole-body stiffness usually shows itself in the form of a contraction of the muscle that cannot be controlled. The patient feels that the muscle is very stiff and tight and cannot move freely, and sometimes there may be pain alongside. In general the symptoms begin in one area and then gradually spread to other parts of the body. In some cases stiffness of the hand, arm, leg, back, neck, or even the muscles of the face may be found, with the result that carrying out daily activities becomes difficult.

The difference between stiffness, seizure, and cramp

Many people confuse stiffness with seizure or cramp, but in fact all three are clearly different. Stiffness is a contraction of the muscle that is fairly constant and continuous, while a seizure is usually a contraction that jerks back and forth, and cramp usually arises in one particular area and usually goes away by itself within a few minutes. Whole-body stiffness usually involves a problem of the nervous system, and therefore has to be treated by a specialist physician in particular.

Who are the risk groups for whole-body stiffness?

The risk groups in which whole-body stiffness is usually found include those who have had an injury to the brain or the spinal cord, patients with stroke, patients with multiple sclerosis, and children with cerebral palsy from birth. Besides this, older adults with several underlying conditions may also be at higher risk. Knowing that you or someone in your family is in a risk group helps you watch for it and receive treatment in good time.

A close look at the 8 important causes of whole-body stiffness

Understanding the cause of whole-body stiffness is the important first step in treatment, because each cause has a different approach to care. Let us see what can bring about this state.

1. Stroke

Stroke is one of the main causes of whole-body stiffness, particularly in patients who have survived a stroke. When the part of the brain that controls the movement of the muscles is damaged, the muscle does not receive the correct signal, so that it contracts stiffly and tightly in a way that cannot be controlled. In general the stiffness begins to appear some time after the stroke has occurred.

2. Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

Injury to the brain or the spinal cord from an accident can bring about stiffness, since the path of transmission of the nerve signals is obstructed. The more severe the injury, the greater the chance of stiffness arising. Those who have had a severe accident should therefore be followed up closely by a specialist physician in rehabilitation medicine.

3. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a condition arising from the body's immune system destroying the sheath of the nerves, so that the transmission of nerve signals becomes abnormal. The patient has stiffness of the muscles at various levels, which may affect walking, work, and overall quality of life. Suitable treatment can help relieve the symptoms and slow the severity of the condition.

4. Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Cerebral palsy is an abnormality arising from birth or in the first year of life, which affects the movement and the posture of the body. Children with this condition usually have stiffness of the muscles at various levels. Physiotherapy done consistently helps the child develop the skills of movement better.

5. Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious infectious disease arising from bacteria that release a toxin, which causes severe whole-body muscle stiffness, particularly around the jaw and the neck. If it is not treated it may be life-threatening. Fortunately there is now a highly effective vaccine to prevent it.

6. Severe Hypocalcemia

Calcium has an important part in the working of the muscles and the nervous system. When the level of calcium in the blood falls very low it can cause stiffness of the muscles. This state may arise from disease of the parathyroid gland, a lack of vitamin D, or chronic kidney problems. A blood test helps diagnose it and treat it on target.

7. Adverse Drug reactions

Certain kinds of medicine may cause stiffness of the muscles as a side effect, particularly medicines used to treat psychiatric conditions, certain antibiotics, and anticonvulsants. If you are taking medicine and stiffness arises, you should consult the doctor to consider changing the medicine or adjusting the dose.

8. Metabolic and Genetic Disorders

Some genetic conditions or metabolic abnormalities may bring about stiffness, such as Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare condition that makes the muscles very stiff and tight. Diagnosing these conditions depends on blood tests and specific genetic testing.

Diagnosing the cause of whole-body stiffness

When whole-body stiffness arises, correct and rapid diagnosis is the most important thing, because it helps the doctor plan suitable treatment. Let us see what methods of examination and diagnosis there are.

Taking the history and physical examination by a specialist physician

The first step the doctor takes is to take the history in detail: when the symptoms began, whether anything triggers them, what underlying conditions there are, and what medicines are being taken. The doctor then examines the body to see the level of severity of the stiffness, checks the working of the nervous system, and assesses whether other organs are affected.

Blood tests and neurotransmitters

Blood tests help check the level of the various minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium, and also the working of the kidneys, the liver, and the thyroid gland. Besides this there may be testing for certain neurotransmitters or antibodies involved in conditions causing stiffness. The results of these tests help the doctor identify the cause more precisely.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

In some cases where it is suspected that the stiffness may involve abnormal working of the brain, the doctor may order an electroencephalogram. This test shows the pattern of the working of the brain, which may help identify the abnormality. Besides this there may be an MRI or CT Scan of the brain and the spinal cord to see the structure and find the abnormality that may be the cause.

The present approach to treating whole-body stiffness

Treating whole-body stiffness depends on several approaches together, emphasising both correcting the cause and relieving the symptoms. At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have a team of specialist physicians in neurology (Neurologist) and rehabilitation physicians working together to diagnose and treat stiffness comprehensively. Let us see what effective methods of treatment there are.

Treating the root cause of the condition

The most important thing is to treat the condition or the state that is the cause of the stiffness. If it arises from stroke, for example, the blood pressure has to be controlled and another stroke prevented; if it arises from low calcium, calcium and vitamin D have to be supplemented. Our neurologist will examine and assess in detail in order to find the real cause, and plan treatment that is on target for each individual. Treatment that is on target helps reduce the chance of the symptoms coming back.

The use of oral medication to release the muscle

Muscle relaxants are the main option in treating stiffness. The medicines commonly used include Baclofen, Tizanidine, and Diazepam. These medicines work by reducing the transmission of the signal that makes the muscle contract. The neurologist will adjust the dose and follow up the result closely, in order to obtain the best result and reduce side effects. But the use of medicine must be under the close care of a doctor, because there may be side effects such as drowsiness, tiredness, or weakness.

Local injection, such as Botox (Botulinum Toxin)

For stiffness that is specific, such as in one arm or one leg, injecting Botox, or botulinum toxin, into the muscle with the problem can help reduce the stiffness effectively. The medicine takes effect about 1 -2 weeks after the injection. This medicine works by temporarily blocking the transmission of the signal from the nerve to the muscle. The effect of the medicine gradually wears off within 3-6 months, and it may have to be injected again as necessary.

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

Physiotherapy is a very important part of treating whole-body stiffness. The physiotherapist will design a programme of exercise and stretching of the muscle suited to each individual, in order to help reduce the tightness of the muscle, increase flexibility, and restore movement. At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have rehabilitation physicians and expert physiotherapists ready to advise and care for you closely, together with modern and comprehensive treatment technology, such as:

  • Dry Needling by a specialist physician, to release the tender points in the stiff muscle and reduce its tightness
  • Focused Shockwave Therapy with 3D Dynamic Focusing, which can reach deep tissue as far as 9 centimetres, to reduce tightness and stimulate the recovery of the muscle
  • Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation (PMS), which helps improve the working of the nerves, increase the strength of the muscle, and reduce stiffness arising from problems of the nervous system
  • High Power Laser Therapy, to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and stimulate the repair of tissue at cell level
  • Diagnostic Ultrasound, to diagnose and assess the condition of the muscles, the tendons, and the joints precisely, and also to be used together with injection to increase the precision of the treatment
  • Hydrodissection injection to release fascia, to free a nerve compressed by the surrounding tissue, helping to reduce stiffness arising from problems of the nerve

Besides this, at PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse there is also an advanced rehabilitation service (Neurorehabilitation) for patients whose symptoms are severe or who need intensive rehabilitation, with advanced technology such as:

Our multidisciplinary team, consisting of a neurologist, a rehabilitation physician, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, and a dietitian, will together design a suitable plan of treatment and follow up the result closely so that the patient obtains the best result.

Surgery (where necessary)

In some cases where the symptoms are severe and do not respond to treatment by other methods, surgery may have to be considered, such as surgery to cut part of a nerve to reduce the stiffness, or implanting a Baclofen pump in the body to deliver the medicine directly into the spinal cord. However, surgery is considered the last option when other methods do not work.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

There are several questions that patients and relatives usually wonder about regarding whole-body stiffness. Let us see what answers the doctors have.

Can whole-body stiffness be cured completely?

The answer depends on the cause of the stiffness. If it arises from a temporary state, such as low calcium or a side effect of medicine, then once the cause is corrected the symptoms improve and can resolve. But if it arises from a chronic condition, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, the symptoms may not resolve completely, but they can be controlled and their severity reduced to a level that can be managed.

What kind of stiffness should be taken to hospital immediately?

If whole-body stiffness arises suddenly without a known cause, or the symptoms are so severe that breathing is difficult, swallowing is difficult, or the stiffness makes movement impossible, you should go to hospital immediately. Besides this, if there is a high fever, severe headache, or a seizure, urgent treatment should be obtained, because it may be a sign of a serious state.

Does treatment with needling help?

Dry Needling may help relieve the tightness of the muscle in some cases, particularly stiffness that is not very severe and involves tender points in the muscle. At our clinic the rehabilitation physician will assess the symptoms and consider whether needling is suitable, and it may be used together with other treatment for the best result.

Summary

Whole-body stiffness is a state that should not be overlooked, because it may be a sign of a serious health problem. Knowing the cause, the symptoms, and the approach to treatment helps the patient receive suitable care and have a better quality of life. If you or someone close to you has whole-body stiffness, whether the symptoms are slight or severe, you should consult a specialist physician for correct diagnosis and treatment.

At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we have a complete multidisciplinary medical team, consisting of specialist physicians in neurology (Neurologist) with expertise in conditions of the brain and the nervous system, and physicians in rehabilitation medicine, who work together to diagnose and plan treatment in detail on every side, together with modern treatment technology and comprehensive physiotherapy. We are committed to helping every patient return to living with quality. If you are interested in a consultation or in making an appointment with a doctor, you can contact us at