Therapeutic Uses of Baclofen

Patient/caregiver was educated on therapeutic uses of baclofen as below:

1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Motor nerves originate in the brain and travelling through the spinal cord, reach the various muscles throughout the body, thus conducting the impulse to the muscles. ALS is a condition in which there is progressive degeneration of the motor nerves controlling the activity of the various muscles. Progressive degeneration of the motor nerves contributes to altered and compromised impulse conduction. Depending on the site of injury and the nerves involves, this change in nerve impulse conduction can result in spasticity or severe tightening of muscles, flaccid weak muscles, and muscle spasms contributing to the pain & discomfort. This can severely compromise the muscle function. Baclofen by controlling and relieving the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
2. Brain and spinal cord injury: Individuals with brain and spinal cord damage from mechanical injuries, work injuries, and automobile accidents, present with intense muscle tightness and spasticity. Muscle spasticity can lead to contractures, rigidity, stiffness, and limited range of motion contributing to severe limitation of performance on activities of daily living, significant pain, and discomfort. Baclofen intake in these individuals can help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
3. Multiple sclerosis: Individuals with multiple sclerosis present with intense muscle spasticity and tightness. Muscle spasticity can lead to contractures, rigidity, stiffness, and limited range of motion contributing to severe limitation of performance on activities of daily living, significant pain, and discomfort. Baclofen intake in these individuals can help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
4. Cerebral palsy: Cerebral palsy is a congenital disorder of movement and muscle tone, secondary to abnormal brain development in utero. Individuals with cerebral palsy can present with abnormal muscle tone and spasticity. Muscle spasticity can lead to contractures, rigidity, stiffness, and limited range of motion contributing to significant pain, and discomfort. Baclofen intake in these individuals can help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
5. Arthritis involving the back: Arthritis involving the vertebrae can exert pressure on the spinal cord, inflame, irritate, and damage the nerves running along the spinal cord. This can result in abnormally increased muscle tone, pain, spasticity, and rigidity. Baclofen intake inhibits conduction of impulses along these inflamed nerves to the muscles, help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
6. Disc prolapse or rupture: Individuals with history of intervertebral disc prolapse or rupture can present with increased pressure upon and inflammation of nerves running along the spinal cord. This can result in abnormally increased muscle tone, pain, spasticity, and rigidity. Baclofen intake inhibits conduction of impulses along these inflamed nerves to the muscles, help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
7. Chronic neuropathy: Individuals with history of poorly controlled diabetes and trigeminal neuralgia can present with irritated and inflamed nerves in the distal extremities and face, respectively. This can contribute to chronic neuropathy in such individuals with tingling, discomfort, and pain in the body parts involved. Baclofen inhibits conduction of impulses along these inflamed nerves and contributes to relaxation of neuropathy symptoms, thus offering comfort.