Physiotherapy/Exercise
In Multiple Sclerosis, physiotherapy is very important.
It helps to keep you mobile and helps in muscle stiffness. Exercise is also necessary. Ask your physiotherapist what exercise are necessary to be done at home.
It is necessary to do the exercises regularly. Care-givers can also be shown what exercises so that they can supervise.
In the event that the you are unable to move a part of your body, the care giver can assist by moving that part of the body so that muscles will be stretched and joins supple.
A visit to the physiotherapist at least once a year is recommended.
A visit to the physiotherapist at least once a year is recommended.
Exercising and keeping the joints moving well is necessary as it will:
Reduce the muscle and joints stiffness which would otherwise result in stiffness from non-use.
Create a lock on the joints in one position which could lead to postural and hygenic issues.
It is important to visit the physiotherapist so that he can access your progress and show what exercises need to be done to maximize movement.
They will teach what exercises to do given your condition.
Stretching muscles is also necessary to prevent long term complications. Gentle stretching daily could lead to reduced pain in muscles and tendons. When there is no stretching done, this could lead to stiffness.
If muscles are not used, they will get weaker and result in the inability to do daily activities and lifting heavy objects which will directly affect your movement.
When we normally move around the muscles stretch and stretches and contract. If it is not moves for a long time it gets stiff. depending on what we are doing. If the muscles get stiff for a longtime, pain will occur in the muscle and tendons that connect to the bone.
Applying gentle pressure or lightly stroking the muscles can help ease stiffness. It will also ‘calm the message pathways and relax the muscle’. It is important to assess how much pressure should be given if not, it could cause the muscle to spasm. To avoid this exercises must be done.
If regular exercises are done daily, it will help in the management of the symptoms of MS.
Going on a walk with your dog or gardening daily is a good enough exercise. Chair yoga is suitable for people with low mobility.
Chair yoga exercises are specially useful for those with slower mobility. Check out the video in the link attached.
Exercising in water such as a pool is beneficial as it is much easier than doing it outside. It also keeps your body temperature cool.
Some who have Multiple Sclerosis say that deep breathing and relaxation techniques when exercising muscles it helps them relax. Yoga and T’ai chi have helped them to make them more mobile. These can be learned through books, YouTube clips or going for classes.
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