Multiple Sclerosis, What is it?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the way the nerves in brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) can carry messages to the rest of the body. The brain and the spinal cord form the communication network for the body. The nerves of the brain send messages along the nerves of the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body which control movement of the arms and legs and control functions such as our bowel and bladder. The central nervous system also carries messages from the body to the brain to tell us about our environment, such as sight, sound and sensation. MS results in damage to the covering around these nerves which either slows down the messages or in severe cases can result in the messages being completely blocked.

The result of these disrupted messages means that you may experience difficulties with everyday activities. Movements become more difficult, you may find your walking and balance are not as good as they used to be. You may find that your hands are clumsy and it is not as easy to do fine controlled activities with your hands and fingers, such as writing or doing up buttons. Some people experience odd sensations such as pins and needles or numbness. Other symptoms may include difficulties with speech, thinking skills (such as memory and concentration), visual problems and very often people with Multiple Sclerosis feel more fatigued and tired. You must remember everybody with MS will have problems specific to them, no two people are the same.

How can physiotherapy help me?

Physiotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis addresses a number of key areas which can dramatically change a person’s ability to do day to day activities and maximise their independence in all aspects of life, including leisure and vocational activities.

The first part of Multiple Sclerosis treatment is to improve posture. This means putting the right muscle in the right place, at the right time, so that it can work most efficiently. This is essential for balance, walking and arm and hand function.

Physiotherapy can help re-educate poor balance, even if there is no specific muscle weakness, Multiple Sclerosis can alter the way in which we move, making you feel as if you are more likely to fall.

If you have difficulties with your balance, it is likely that your walking is a challenge as well. People with Multiple Sclerosis often have problems with tripping. There are a number of reasons why walking maybe affected in Multiple Sclerosis. It may be general or specific muscle weakness. The general weakness can be addressed by various types of exercise. If it is a more specific weakness the treatment is likely to be more specialised using rehabilitation technology. The most common of these is the treatment for drop foot or a floppy foot with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).

Hand and limb function can also be helped with physiotherapy or some of the rehabilitation technology available at PhysioFunction.

Many people with MS suffer with muscle spasms, pain or stiffness in the muscles which we call spasticity. The physiotherapist can help reduce the problems associated with this type of altered muscle function and leg weakness. We may use a number of different treatment approaches including rehabilitation exercises, the use of splints or orthoses or working with the Doctors to help with the prescription of medication.

Lastly, many people with Multiple Sclerosis suffer from fatigue. This can be the biggest limiting factor when trying to do every day activities. Fatigue is a symptom of MS, however people also get fatigued because of the extra effort they have to invest in all of their activities. Physiotherapy will work with you to help you manage the fatigue so you can save your energy for the good stuff!

I think PhysioFunction could help me, what do I do now?

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