Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition which means it affects your nerves.  It is a potentially debilitating disease affecting the brain and spinal cord, which are integral parts of the central nervous system (CNS). In individuals with MS, the immune system erroneously attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that encases nerve fibers, leading to communication disruptions between the brain and the rest of the body.

Symptoms of MS

The symptoms of MS vary widely from person to person and can fluctuate in severity and duration but not everyone will experience them all. Sometimes the symptoms can come and go. 

• Weakness and stiffness or spasms: Often occurring on one side of the body or in the legs and trunk.
• Numbness and Tingling Sensations
• Reduced of Coordination, Balance and Unsteady Gait 
• Visual Problems: Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye at a time, often with pain during eye movement. This includes prolonged double vision and blurry vision.
• Dizziness
• Sexual, Bowel, and Bladder Dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Speech Problems
• Cognitive Issues: Problems with memory, attention, 
• Mood Disturbances
• Pain

Treatment and Management

While there is currently no cure for MS, there are lots of ways to manage MS. These treatments focus on:

• Speeding Recovery from Attacks: Medications such as corticosteroids are commonly used.
• Modifying the Course of the Disease: Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. And HSCT, and intense chemotherapy treatment. 
• Managing Symptoms: A variety of therapies, including medications, lifestyle changes and physiotherapy, can help manage specific symptoms.

Benefits of Physiotherapy for MS

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing MS, particularly when physical symptoms progress or during recovery from a relapse. Here’s how physiotherapy can help:

Personalized Exercise Programs

A physiotherapist can design exercise programs tailored to your specific needs and abilities. This might include exercises targeting:

• Mobility: Enhancing movement and independence.
• Balance and Coordination: Improving stability and reducing fall risk.
• Posture: Addressing alignment issues to ease discomfort and improve function.
• Fatigue Management: Developing strategies to manage energy levels effectively.

Specialized Care

A neuro-physiotherapist, who has specialized training in conditions affecting the nervous system, can offer more targeted and effective treatments for MS. 

Comprehensive Symptom Management

Physiotherapy can address a range of MS-related issues:

• Bladder Problems: Techniques to improve bladder control and function.
• Pain and Muscle Spasms: Methods to reduce discomfort and increase mobility.
• Muscle Stiffness: Exercises and hands-on techniques like passive stretching and range-of-motion exercises to improve flexibility and comfort.

Adaptation and Lifestyle

If MS affects your ability to participate in sports or activities, a physiotherapist can suggest new ways to stay active or adapt your favorite exercises to your current abilities. This can help maintain physical fitness and overall well-being despite the challenges posed by MS.

Accessing Physiotherapy

You can get a referral to a physiotherapist from your GP or MS nurse. Seeking a neuro-physiotherapist can be especially beneficial due to their specialized knowledge and training in neurological conditions like MS.

Physiotherapy offers a multifaceted approach to managing MS, focusing on maintaining and improving physical function, which is essential for enhancing quality of life. 

Please feel free to contact our Neurological Physiotherapists at the clinic for an assessment by calling reception on 023 8065 3707 or go to our website and send a message using the follwoing link https://www.therapeutics-southampton.co.uk/contact-us/

For more information about MS please visit: www.mssociety.org.uk