Although the physical symptoms that come with multiple sclerosis can’t be cured, there is a way to help manage these and the secondary symptoms. These symptoms are characterized by stiffness, pain, and weakness that may make it difficult to perform daily tasks. Doing physical therapy can help you. We are here to answer your questions on how physical therapy can help with your multiple sclerosis.
Question: What is the main goal of physical therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis?
Answer:
For treating multiple sclerosis, the goal of physical therapy is to optimize the patient’s quality of life and independence by improving their mobility and relieve the pain that they feel. Getting physical therapy can help you with:
- Fatigue
- Pain Relief
- Balance Problems
- Body Weakness
- Improving Posture
- Helps patients who experience difficulty in performing daily activities
Question: Why do I have symptoms that come with multiple sclerosis?
Answer:
When MS occurs, the myelin sheath surrounding the nerve cells of the brain and the spinal cord is damaged. The scarring that comes from the damage can slow and block the nerve impulses in the different areas of the brain (leading to neurological damage). As a result of this disorder, the patient may feel a lack of coordination and have other symptoms, such as weakness, muscle stiffness, pain, and involuntary movement. These symptoms are known as primary symptoms.
With these symptoms, the patient can have limited mobility. Due to the primary symptoms, the patient may feel pain, weakness, and tightness in the muscle and joints. With these symptoms not being the direct result of MS, but rather the primary symptoms, these symptoms are called “secondary symptoms.”
Question: How do I receive physical therapy?
Answer:
If you feel that you need and can benefit from physical therapy, you can speak with your doctor, and we are here to provide you with what you need.
Question: How many visits am I going to need?
Answer:
The number of appointments you’ll need will depend on the specific health situation. The first appointment that we provide will include an evaluation of your needs and the recommendations for what exercise you should do. In the following appointments, we will check your progress and develop a new program based on how you do. Your therapist will work with you until you are able to reach a certain level of improved function. With that, we will develop a home exercise program for you.
Question: Can physical therapy improve the symptoms of my multiple sclerosis?
Answer:
The Primary Symptoms
Due to the neurological damage done by multiple sclerosis, the primary symptoms cannot be cured through physical therapy. Getting physical therapy is helpful by providing whats called compensatory treatments. The focus of this treatment is to compensate for the changes that are brought upon by multiple sclerosis. These treatments include learning new strategies, equipment, and movement techniques.
The Secondary Symptoms
For the secondary symptoms of multiple sclerosis, physical therapy is very helpful at lessening and even preventing the symptoms of MS. Our physical therapist can teach you different exercises that you can do to strengthen and stretch muscles. Many of these exercises can be performed at the comfort of your own home.