It’s YOUR Health, Know the Why
MS Symptom Management: How PT Can Help
Throughout this series, we have discussed the many symptoms commonly experienced by people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and discussed ways to help improve and sometimes wholly resolve those specific symptoms. I thought the best way to give you an overview of what physical therapy can do for you was to provide some case examples. I provided information about how I structured their care plan and included three specific exercise programs.
MS Symptom Management: Muscle weakness
As related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), muscle weakness is somewhat like fatigue; there are primary and secondary causes. MS is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It causes demyelination and damage to the axons/neurons themselves, leading to lesions we see on MRIs.
MS Symptom Management: Fatigue & Heat sensitivity
It used to be believed that people with MS should not exercise due to fatigue as it may trigger a relapse or worsen symptoms associated with the disease. However, research in the past 20 years has changed the way of thinking significantly. Many studies have found significant improvements in exercise capacity and fatigue after participating in an appropriately dosed exercise program.