What is the difference between peripheral skeletal muscle relaxants and centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants?

Peripheral skeletal muscle relaxants primarily act at the neuromuscular junction to inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles, leading to muscle paralysis; they are commonly used during surgical procedures. In contrast, centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants work on the central nervous system, particularly in the brain and spinal cord, to reduce muscle tone and alleviate muscle spasms without causing paralysis. This distinction influences their clinical applications and side effect profiles, with peripheral relaxants being more associated with anesthesia and centrally acting ones often used for pain management.