What is MS:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system. Common symptoms experienced as a result of this include fatigue, muscle weakness, impaired balance and coordination issues, and potential cognitive challenges.
There are three main types of MS: relapsing remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive. The classification is dependent on the activity of the condition and its progression. During periods of relapse or as MS progresses, individuals often experience an exacerbation in symptoms causing challenges in completing daily tasks and maintaining mobility.
- Improving muscular strength and endurance:
Muscle weakness is commonly seen amongst people with MS, affecting the way people complete daily tasks to the way they move. By assessing the individual’s weaknesses, specific symptoms, and strengths, a personalised exercises program can be made to help achieve realistic and specific goals. To increase muscle strength, Exercise Physiologists can develop exercise programs to enhance muscle function specific to the individual, aiding in their ability to perform desired activities. Improving muscular endurance improves overall stamina, allowing individuals to engage more in their daily life.
2. Enhancing balance and coordination:
Due to the effect on the central nervous system and muscle strength, balance and coordination issues are often experienced with MS. Incorporating static and dynamic balance exercises into programs helps improve stability and motor control while also increasing the individual’s confidence. By incorporating a variety of balance, flexibility and coordination exercises, Exercise physiologists are able to make the sessions specific to the individual, keep them engaged, and ensure comprehensive benefits.
3. Managing fatigue:
Fatigue often limits the ability to be physically active and is often one of the most debilitating symptoms of MS. By completing regular exercise, considering the individual’s energy levels and avoiding overexertion, it is possible to reduce feelings of fatigue and increase energy levels. Exercise physiologists are able to monitor fatigue during session and alter exercises to suit the individual’s needs. This includes incorporating rest days, changing rest periods between exercises, changing exercise intensity, and even changing the environment, if possible, to manage fatigue effectively.
4. Addressing spasticity and muscle spasms:
Spasticity is an abnormal increase in muscle stiffness, commonly resulting in very tight or rigid muscles. Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that can cause painful and sudden cramping.
By completing strengthening and flexibility exercises, the opposing muscle groups can be strengthened while the spastic muscles are stretched and relaxed. By balancing muscle activity, excessive tightness in spastic muscles can be alleviated. These exercises also help promote blood flow, facilitating better oxygen and nutrient delivery to help promote recovery from spasms and support overall muscle health.
5. Supporting mental well-being:
Exercise can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety through the release of endorphins that occurs during exercise. As depression and anxiety are commonly experienced by people living with MS, this is a huge benefit. Supervised exercise sessions or group sessions can further benefit mental health as they encourage connection building. To understand what exercises are going to benefit the individual most, Exercise physiologists need to know their clients. This means building meaningful relationships that focus on the whole individual.
There is also research that suggests regular exercise is associated with improved attention, memory, and processing speed. Thus, having the potential to help individuals manage cognitive challenges associated with MS.
See and Exercise Physiologist:
Seeing an Exercise Physiologist offers a wide range of health benefits, leading to a greater quality of lift. If you would like to learn more about how Exercise Physiology can enhance rehabilitation outcomes for Multiple Sclerosis, book in to see one of our highly trained Exercise Physiologists at Urban Health HQ. you can make an appointment at our Ellenbrook clinic today by calling 0411563391 or email admin@urbanhealthhq.com.au
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