Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, usually progressive, disease that primarily affects young adults. More than 350,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million worldwide have been diagnosed with MS. Multiple Sclerosis Physical Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that involves the loss of myelin, a material that covers and protects the nerves in the body's central nervous system.
2. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
is a chronic, usually progressive, disease that primarily affects young
adults. More than 350,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million
worldwide have been diagnosed with MS. Multiple Sclerosis Physical
Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that involves the loss of
myelin, a material that covers and protects the nerves in the body's
central nervous system.
3. Without myelin, nerves cannot properly communicate with each other,
creating a multitude of symptoms. Multiple Sclerosis symptoms vary
from person to person, depending on what part of the nervous system is
affected but can affect areas that control movement, sensation, and
mental processes.
4. More than 91% of all persons with MS report difficulty walking,
and difficulty with body movements.
However, with appropriate medical
support and physical therapy, the
disease process can be controlled, and
movement can be improved and
maintained.
6. Strengthening exercises, such as using a treadmill or stationary
bike, are beneficial for someone with early MS.
1. STRENGTHENING:
In general, the exercise program
is based on the individualโs
ability and progressed at that
personโs tolerance level. The
goal of physical therapy in the
early stages of MS is to help the
patient perform all their normal
activities.
7. As MS progresses, further disability can occur. Research in
physical therapy has shown that aerobic exercise using
equipment like a treadmill or stationary bike improves the
patientโs leg strength and aids in walking, balance, endurance
and mood.
8. More than 78% of patients diagnosed with MS complain of balance
abnormalities. In a recent study, more than half of MS patients in the
study reported frequent falls (more than two within a confined period of
time) showing that even ambulant patients with MS are at risk for
frequent falls.
2. BALANCE TRAINING:
9. Balance training using a balance platform for stabilization
along with a balance trainer, pad or board can improve deficits
in postural control and measures of balance.
10. Hydrotherapy, or warm water therapy in whirlpools, consists of three
main healing ingredients; heat, buoyancy, and massage. Overall,
hydrotherapy studies have shown that the health benefits of
immersion in warm water with massage jet action include the
relaxation of muscles, lowering of blood pressure, and loosening of
joints.
3. WHIRLPOOL THERAPHY:
11. The muscle relaxing and joint
loosening benefits of whirlpools
help patients with MS who suffer
from spasticity from muscle
spasms and chronic achiness in
the joints. 0
12. Slight decreases in body temperature have been documented to
produce a temporary relief of MS-associated symptoms. Cold
compression therapy delivers cold therapy that works faster, penetrates
deeper and lasts longer than other treatment modalities.
4. COLD COMPRESSION:
13. Also, cold compression units come with an assortment of
wraps, allowing for treatment of all body parts.
14. The physical therapist will utilize gentle stretching movements to
relieve muscle spasms and encourage range of motion in all joints.
These exercises are beneficial as they maintain and improve flexibility
and can be modified as needed.
5. STRETCHING & RANGE OF
MOTION EXERCISE:
15. With a progressive disease, early and varied treatment
options are the best course of action with physical therapy as
one of the best tools for a MS patient.
16. Our number one goal when treating patients with MS is keeping
them ambulatory and being able to participate in their day to
day activities. And with progressive treatment, weโre able to
keep this progressive disease in check.