United Spinal Association Joins Forces to Create The National Spasticity Alliance

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Jun 14, 2016, 09:10 ET

NEW YORK, June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association is joining with National Stroke Association and three other advocacy groups to raise awareness about spasticity and help people living with spasticity to resume normal daily activities.

Symptoms of spasticity include stiff, rigid muscles, involuntary contractions or muscle spasms, which may make it more difficult for a person to move or perform certain activities.

Those symptoms are what people with spasticity -- affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis -- experience.

The National Spasticity Alliance will include the Brain Injury Association of America, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America and United Cerebral Palsy in addition to National Stroke Association and United Spinal Association.

"With the founding of the National Spasticity Alliance, there's help in sight for those people living with the debilitating effects of spasticity," said James Weisman, United Spinal's president and CEO.

A web site dedicated to the cause of easing spasticity's muscle spasms and other symptoms, www.spasticityalliance.org, has launched in time for Spasticity Awareness Week, June 13-19.

The Spasticity Alliance will reach people living with spasticity and their caregivers through its web site that features a variety of educational resources, multimedia tools and personal stories—all geared toward people with specific conditions.

The Spasticity Alliance web site aims to:

Increase awareness of spasticity
Address the onset of spasticity and its symptoms
Offer management options which can include a combination of medications and therapies
Empower people living with spasticity and caregivers to discuss their symptoms with their healthcare professionals
Provide a clearinghouse of best-of-class education tools and resources
Act as the go-to source for spasticity-related conditions
Build a strong alliance of advocacy organizations to create a united voice for spasticity messaging, tools and resources.

Visit www.spasticityalliance.org to learn more.

About United Spinal Association
United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization celebrating its 70th Anniversary. Formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans, United Spinal is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

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Alexandra Bennewith
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James Weisman
ProfNet - https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=84382

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SOURCE United Spinal Association