Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases across the globe, and in fact it’s the single most common one that affects the central nervous system. Nearly 3 million people worldwide live with MS, and since patients’ life expectancy is typically only a few years shorter than average, they need varied forms of treatment in order to live to the fullest.
People with multiple sclerosis face daily health challenges, most commonly including fatigue, muscle weakness, and resultant problems with mobility and completing daily tasks. There is no cure yet for MS, but alongside medication, physical therapy plays a critical role in symptom management and improving quality of life. JAG Physical Therapy, the leading PT name throughout NY, NJ, and PA, has helped many patients obtain symptom relief, find more day-to-day energy, and overall live better with multiple sclerosis. Schedule an appointment now to get started or read below to see the various ways physical therapy helps patients navigate MS.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis and How Does It Affect Mobility?
The neurons of the central nervous system are covered by a lipid-based substance called myelin, produced by cells called oligodendrocytes. Myelin provides insulation and helps the nerve cells’ electrical signals move much faster by “jumping” between gaps in the insulated areas. Multiple sclerosis occurs when certain immune cells (currently thought to be autoreactive T- and B-lymphocytes) mistakenly attack the myelin-producing oligodendrocytes. The resulting loss of myelin, called demyelination, strips the central nervous system of its efficiency, reducing the speed and quality of signals to the rest of the body. This can lead to weakness in the muscles, spastic, jerky, or unsure movement, and problems with balance, which can cause dangerous falls.
MS also causes scars or lesions to form in the nervous system, thus making it sclerotic, hence the name of the condition. This further weakens CNS effectiveness, and the inflammation caused by MS plays a role in causing chronic fatigue. All in all, it is no wonder that many forms of everyday movement become difficult for patients with multiple sclerosis. Physical therapy thankfully has many non-invasive methods to compensate for chronic damage to the nervous system and build motor skills back up even after MS progression.
How Does Physical Therapy Support Symptom Management in MS?
Many of the most usual and troublesome symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be reduced with a regular routine of PT. For example, there are many exercises that patients can use both in the PT clinic and at home to improve strength and flexibility (reducing stiffness and muscle weakness) and enhance coordination (reducing fall risk).
Physical therapists can also teach patients helpful techniques for everyday living that conserve energy and thus manage fatigue. Since most physical therapy modalities are customizable to the patient’s needs, an experienced therapist can help a patient with multiple sclerosis by concentrating on their lifestyle preferences and details of their condition, including adapting exercises as necessary.
What Techniques and Exercises Are Commonly Used in Physical Therapy for MS?
Even more so than for other conditions, the methods used in physical therapy for multiple sclerosis are individualized. The complexity of the nervous system and the all-encompassing nature of MS mean that every patient’s needs and pace are different, and therapists must account for this. However, certain therapeutic modalities are helpful for almost everyone living with MS. Foremost among these is strength training (for both the upper and lower body) to support the muscles for walking and tasks done with the hands and arms. Other kinds of exercises include balance and gait training for stability and increased confidence in movement, stretching and range-of-motion exercise to ease spasticity, and endurance exercise to increase tolerance and combat fatigue in the long term.
Many kinds of non-exercise methods are also often useful. Manual therapy can offer surprisingly quick and lasting relief for fatigue, for example. Therapists can also help patients learn to set up and use assistive devices and educate them on movement strategies to make mobility safer and easier.
How Does Physical Therapy Improve Daily Life for People with MS?
Physical therapy may take place in a clinical setting, but the aim of treatment is far beyond that – it is improving day-to-day life at home, work, school, and in public. For those with multiple sclerosis, one of the primary goals of PT is maintaining independence. Many of the basic actions needed in day-to-day life, like climbing stairs, taking a shower, filling a grocery cart, or getting in and out of a car, require quite a bit of mobility, dexterity, and endurance. Working on these physical skills, which are affected by MS, has important mental effects in terms of confidence, emotional outlook, and the ability to make and keep plans. All together, this means that patients can better manage their own lives and therefore be more present in the lives of the people who are important to them.
JAG Physical Therapy Helps You Live Well with MS
JAG PT’s skilled and compassionate therapists have a great deal of experience in treating complex disorders, including autoimmune and neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis. At our more than 160 convenient locations around New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, our patients have access to the latest and most effective physical therapy modalities and equipment. We work with each of our patients to create a unique, personalized treatment plan, and our focus is on a supportive atmosphere and improving quality of life. Schedule a consultation with us now to get started.