Muscle stiffness after a brain stroke

Muscle stiffness after a stroke, known as spasticity, happens when damaged brain pathways lose the ability to send normal relax signals. Instead of resting, affected muscles stay in a constant, high-tension state. This leaves arms or legs feeling heavy, rigid, and hard to move, making straightening a joint feel like stretching a thick rubber band. Muscles may flex involuntarily on their own without your control. Over time, this continuous contraction triggers deep muscle aches, painful sudden spasms, and sharp stiffness that often worsens with cold weather, emotional stress, or rapid movements.