Writing spasm (in other words, hand neurosis, graphospasm, cramping) is a phenomenon in which the motor activity of the muscles of the hand is disturbed during the process of writing. At the same time, the rest of the motor manipulations performed by the same muscle group are completely free, without any difficulties.
This disease is more characteristic of people who, by virtue of their profession, have systematic continuous loads on their hands: these are students, teachers. Also at risk are people of middle and old age: both men and women. In children, this pathology does not occur. According to observations, cramping spasm often manifests itself in persons who are too distressing and unsure of themselves.
Spasm in the process of writing - a manifestation of neurosis
The reason for the occurrence of a disease such as cramping spasm, a long period was not clear. The teaching of the Russian physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov on higher nervous activity and the likelihood of a nervous breakdown of certain dynamic complexes brought some clarity to the origin of the process.
Currently, it is believed that cramping spasm is the same neurosis as tics, obsessive movements, stuttering. The resulting cramp (most often in the flexors and extensors of the index and thumb) causes pain, leads to an unnatural posture of the hand, which makes further writing impossible. A person makes a lot of efforts to neutralize spasm, but this only causes awkwardness of movements, loss of fluency in writing, and cardinal deterioration in handwriting.
Causes of writing spasm
Factors that cause the pathological process to occur are:
- neurosis;
- predisposition to tantrums, increased excitement;
- disturbances in the psychoemotional state, expressed in depression and stress;
- chronic alcoholism;
- complications after infections;
- cerebral arteriosclerosis;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical region;
- inflammatory diseases of the hands (neuritis, myositis).
The initial stage of the disease
Writing spasm is characterized by a slowly progressive course. At the initial stage, pathology makes itself felt a few hours after constant intense writing. The patient complains of discomfort when trying to write something or in the process of the action being performed.
Particularly bright writing difficulties are visible at the end of the line. The faster the speed of writing, the more pronounced the written spasm. As soon as the writing process stops, the symptoms disappear immediately, especially at an early stage of the disease.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of the main stage of the disease, caused by improper redistribution of muscle tone of the hands, manifests itself almost immediately after the onset of written activity and is expressed:
- Pain in the fingers, then covering the entire arm.
- The trembling and weakness of the phalanges of the fingers, which complicates, distorts, does not make it possible to complete the written process.
- Muscle spasm leading to the formation of contracture (limitation of mobility) of the fingers, gradually covering the forearm and shoulder. In some cases, the neck and facial area may be involved.
Being in such a difficult state, the patient begins to worry excessively, to fix attention on his own helplessness, which causes the appearance of a convulsion when writing the first letters, and sometimes with just one thought about the upcoming letter.
Types of manifestation of cramping spasm
Depending on which muscle tone prevails (flexor or extensor), several forms of cramping spasm are distinguished:
- spastic;
- neuralgic;
- paralytic;
- tremulous.
Convulsive (spastic) form occurs most often. It begins with the tension of the carpal muscle group, gradually spreads to the forearm to the neck, and sometimes affects the facial area.
The neuralgic type is manifested by painful sensations in the right hand that occur during the writing of the text. The pain seems to be concentrated in depth, and it is problematic to connect it with the region of any nerve; upon completion of work immediately disappears.
The paralytic form is characterized by severe weakness in the hand during writing, a feeling of incredible tiredness: the pen seems to drop out of the fingers.
Shivering spasm is accompanied by trembling in the fingers that occurs during work.
These forms can occur both individually and comprehensively, with several symptoms at the same time.
Attempts to cope on their own
Many people do not consider this phenomenon as a disease and try to cope with the problem themselves, in every possible way modifying the writing mechanism:
- clamp the pen (pencil) into a fist, hold between the 3rd and 4th fingers or grab it in other unusual ways;
- change the inclination of the hand;
- try to write with a thick pen;
- change the hand, which is not always advisable due to the occurrence of the same spasm in the other hand.
Such techniques have only a temporary improvement. For the treatment of the disease, the initial measure is a sharp reduction or a complete rejection of the letter.
Methods for eliminating cramping
The main direction in restoring muscle functionality is the therapy of the underlying disease (osteochondrosis, neuritis, myositis), which caused the onset of the pathological process in the fingers. To eliminate muscle spasm and psycho-emotional disorders, drug treatment with the use of muscle relaxants, antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives (valerian, bromine with caffeine) is used.
Writing spasm, the symptoms of which are more characteristic of irritable people, who are seriously experiencing their own failures, are effectively treated with an elongated sleep: 12-14 hours a day. Be sure that with such a pathological process, physiotherapy is recommended: magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, reflexology, massage, paraffin baths, acupuncture.
Writing spasm: treatment, exercises, massage
An important element in the treatment of cramping spasms are exercises for the right hand: to reduce and extend the fingers, their flexion and extension. Be sure to pay attention to a healthy muscle group in the process of gymnastics, which positively affects the coordination of movements, the performance of muscles and their tone. It is important to avoid the spastic tension of the hand and not to compress it into a fist. The average duration of therapeutic exercises should be 20-30 minutes. It is recommended to use self-resistance elements, which should be alternated with exercises for relaxing the hand and self-massage techniques of the entire arm and shoulder girdle.
The procedure should begin with a light stroking and rubbing the sore arm. Then, fingers, tendons and interosseous muscles are massaged in more detail and actively. Further, the massage should be transferred to the muscles of the shoulder and shoulder girdle, and then return to massage the forearm and hand. Massage ends with rubbing and stroking the whole hand.
Learning to write again
How to learn to write with writing spasm? After 1-1.5 months from the beginning of the treatment of the disease, with a pronounced violation of the letter, the patient is advised to learn to write again: lines, lines, letter elements, trying to use a different combination of muscles for writing. It is recommended to master a new stereotype of the usual procedure at a smooth, slow pace with a gradual increase in the speed of writing subsequently. Classes should be held regularly, having previously allocated time for rest. Writing letters and words begins only at the end of the training gymnastic course.
For classes, it is advisable to use a thick pen to avoid finger strain. Exercising in this way is recommended 2-3 times a day for 5-6 minutes with a gradual increase in time. If the process is difficult, the patient is offered the same writing training program, but for the other hand. Although with a pronounced pathological process, such gymnastics can be ineffective, and the disease will affect both limbs.
Writing spasm, the treatment of which showed an unsatisfactory result (the writing process remained difficult or completely impaired), forces the patient to change his profession. It is recommended that a person seek and manifest himself in another type of activity, as an option - to master machine or computer typing.
Writing spasm: treatment with folk remedies
Traditional medicine to relieve tension in the joints offers a number of recipes tested by time and people. Mustard baths remove muscle tone well. It is required to dilute 5-6 tablespoons of dry mustard in a glass of water to a mushy state. The resulting mixture must be poured into a bath prepared for bath procedures. Mustard water must be immersed for 5-7 minutes, after which, without wiping, turn into a terry towel. In combination with other therapeutic measures, it will soon be possible to forget about a disease such as cramping.
Home treatment, in addition to exercises, self-massage and writing instruction, may include the use of soothing teas. According to one of the recipes, it is proposed to combine in equal parts clover, motherwort, horsetail and oregano. Spoon the collection to brew a glass of boiling water, leave for 2 hours. Take ½ cup in the morning and evening.
Preventative measures
As preventive measures to prevent cramping, it is necessary to treat diseases that cause the appearance of this pathology. Be sure to alternate rest and work, avoiding excessive loads. Do not forget about gymnastics for hands, writing at a slow pace and changing hands when performing large volumes of written work.
Correction of provoking factors that cause chronic muscle tension in the arm is carried out by choosing the optimal ergonomic position of the body and arms at the table. When working on a computer, the mouse is placed on a special pad with a roller, and the keyboard is equipped with a helium pad under the wrist. Along the way, the angle of the table changes, an individual way of writing, a convenient writing instrument and marked paper are selected.