{"id":11027,"date":"2026-07-24T18:48:05","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flushinghospital.org\/newsletter\/?p=11027"},"modified":"2026-07-24T18:48:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:48:05","slug":"stiff-person-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flushinghospital.org\/newsletter\/stiff-person-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Stiff Person Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes symptoms of muscle stiffness in your trunk and abdomen, with stiffness and painful spasms in the legs and other muscles developing over time.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of stiff person syndrome can develop at any age, but it most often begins in your 30s and 40s. Scientists believe stiff person syndrome can range from just one area of a person\u2019s body to a widespread syndrome that affects multiple parts of the body, and involves the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord. Stiff person syndrome is a progressive disorder, which means symptoms can get worse over time, and can take several months to a few years to develop.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In most cases of stiff person syndrome, muscle stiffness in the abdomen, chest, or back muscles is the first symptom experienced. This rigidity causes pain and an aching discomfort that can fluctuate in severity without a clear trigger or reason. These symptoms can also affect the arms and legs. As stiffness increases, some people may develop an abnormal posture that can make it difficult to walk or move. Individuals may also experience painful muscle spasms that can involve the entire body, or only a specific area. These spasms can last a few seconds, minutes, or occasionally, a few hours.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of stiff person syndrome, such as muscle spasms, can be triggered after:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n