Physical management of spasticity

Physical management of people with spasticity is a complex task requiring t he collaborative work of a multidisciplinary team. This article reviews som e of the most commonly used treatment techniques and theories that lay the framework for the physical management of spasticity Most crucial to the man agement of the person with spasticity is the skillful application of the te chniques and theories discussed. Given the complexity in the standardized e valuation of children with spasticity, it is recommended that existing outc ome measures or standardized scales be applied wherever possible as an adju nct tool to the clinician's assessment and interventions. One must recogniz e the benefits of such scales and their limitations. Therefore, it is recom mended that further development of standardized assessments be supported by funding agencies to develop both quantitative and qualitative measurement tools that will address the particular needs of the person with spasticity. Review of the literature supports the many interventions that are listed; however, further research is recommended by the consensus croup.