31/08/2026
Conditions Associated with Muscle Rigidity, Stiffness, and Spasticity and Their Treatment
1. Sequelae of hemiplegia (upper motor neuron injury)
This may present as spastic paralysis, including features such as the “claw-like hand,” “scissoring gait,” mask-like facial expression, and difficulty speaking. After a stroke, the tongue may also become stiff, resulting in impaired speech.
Common causes of spastic paralysis include traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, encephalitis, cerebrovascular diseases (ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage), multiple sclerosis, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and spinal cord injuries. These conditions may result in muscle rigidity, stiffness, tightness, and spasticity. Regardless of how long the symptoms have been present, patients with these symptoms may consider traditional Chinese herbal medicine as a treatment option, and in many cases, significant improvement may be achieved.
2. Rigidity associated with metabolic or nutritional disorders
Including diabetes, porphyria, megaloblastic anemia, and vitamin B2 deficiency.
3. Epilepsy (seizure disorders)
4. Stuttering (speech dysfluency)
5. Temporomandibular joint disorders and facial muscle spasms
Including temporomandibular joint dysfunction, masseter muscle spasm, hemifacial spasm, and trismus (difficulty or inability to open the mouth due to pain or muscle spasm).
6. Difficulty opening the mouth following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal or oral cancer
7. Parkinsonian syndromes and tremor disorders
Including Parkinson’s disease, isolated head tremor, essential tremor, and other conditions accompanied by muscle rigidity.
8. Cervical muscle rigidity
Including spasmodic torticollis (abnormal twisting or tilting of the neck) and cervical spondylosis associated with severe neck muscle stiffness and restricted neck movement.
9. Strabismus and restricted eye movement
Conditions in which the eyes have difficulty moving normally.
10. Ankylosing spondylitis and post-polio lumbar rigidity
These conditions may be associated with stiffness and restricted movement of the spine and surrounding muscles.
11. Other neurological and muscular conditions
Including Wilson’s disease (hepatolenticular degeneration), hyperthyroidism, tic disorders, and tetanus.
12. Scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, myotonic syndromes, and stiff-person syndrome
13. Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Bruxism may have several clinical patterns, one of which is associated with excessive muscle tension and spasm.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), many of these conditions and symptoms may fall within the broader category of “Biǎnzhèng”/“Jìng Bìng” (痉病), referring to disorders characterized by muscle spasm, rigidity, stiffness, and abnormal muscle tension.
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine and other TCM approaches may be used according to the individual’s pattern of symptoms and underlying condition. In appropriate cases, treatment may help reduce muscle rigidity and spasticity, improve mobility, and enhance overall function.
For conditions such as stroke sequelae, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer-related complications, and stiff-person syndrome, TCM should be considered complementary to appropriate conventional medical assessment and treatment.
