Stiff muscles can be treated with a plasmapheresis procedure or a special blood treatment. This conclusion was made by scientists from the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
Stiffness syndrome is a very rare neurological disorder, the origin of which is still not established by science. With it, the patient's general stiffness of the muscles increases, painful spasms develop, pain and muscle tension in the back, abdomen and neck are noted. And now, a small-scale study has shown that a procedure called plasmapheresis can be a safe way to treat this syndrome. Many study participants experienced improvements in symptoms or individual muscle functions.
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In the early stages of stiffness syndrome, symptoms come and go, but then become permanent. Stiffness and spasms usually develop in the muscles of the legs and trunk, but then affect the face and arms. Sometimes the stability of the gait is disturbed, inexplicable falls appear. Most often, the victims of the syndrome are women. So finding a new treatment for this very debilitating disease that has few side effects or risks is a big win.
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It has been established that plasmapheresis is both a safe and well-tolerated form of treatment for the syndrome. 56% of patients felt improvement after the procedure. Their need for medication decreased three months after the start of treatment. And in the other group, 69% said that their condition had improved. During plasmapheresis, a special machine purifies the blood by removing and replacing the plasma with albumin made from donated plasma. (READ MORE) 
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