Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and can result in many different physical symptoms including muscle weakness, stiffness, or spasms, fatigue, changes to balance and walking, alterations in sensation.
Myelin is a fatty protective layer covering nerve fibres and this enables the nerve messages to be travel quickly and effectively between the brain, spinal cord and throughout the body. In multiple sclerosis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nervous system, causing the myelin to be damaged, leaving plaques/lesions; this is called demyelination.
The nerve messages are no longer sent as efficiently, they may be slower or not be able to be sent at all. As well as demyelination, there can also be damage to the nerve fibres themselves. This can result in a variety of symptoms and can change from day to day.
“Sclerosis” means scarring and this refers to the damaging plaques on the nerves and “multiple” is the term used because it occurs in more than one place in the central nervous system.
Physiotherapy
At Neuro Potential we aim to maintain your physical abilities and independence, according to your specific problems and goals. Treatment may include:
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Promoting maintenance of limb flexibility and range of movement, positioning; which can often promote better pain management
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Maintaining muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
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Working on coordination
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Exercises for core stability, posture and balance
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Gait rehabilitation
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Support accessing activities in the community, contributing to improved quality of life
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Guidance with suitable rehabilitation aids and adjuncts.
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Training and advice to support workers/carers and families.
Research
There is evidence that exercise may be neuroprotective for people with MS; exercise increases the levels of a protein which could help protect, or even repair nerve cells from damage caused by MS.
See the link:
Exercise has been found to have many improvements for people with MS, including a reduction in fatigue, an improved emotional well-being and quality of life.
https://www.mstrust.org.uk/research/research-updates/update140120-exercise-programmes-in-long-term
For more information please see:
Multiple Sclerosis Society www.mssociety.org.uk
Multiple Sclerosis Trust www.mstrust.org.uk
If you, or a family member has MS and you are seeking physiotherapy treatment please contact us on:
07725 077 598