Physical therapy is a crucial part of easing the challenges that accompany multiple sclerosis (MS). While medications help slow disease progression and reduce the frequency of MS flare-ups, physical therapy is a key component of maintaining strength and mobility by keeping you moving.
At Neurology Diagnostics, Inc., in Dayton, Joel Vandersluis, MD, and our team see physical therapy as essential for managing MS. The combination of medications, healthy habits, and physical therapy can help patients maintain independence and reduce the impact of symptoms.
Walking difficulties affect most people with MS at some point, often beginning with subtle changes that may not be noticeable initially. Physical therapists identify these early signs and work to prevent more significant problems from developing.
Your therapist analyzes how you move and identifies compensation patterns that waste energy or increase fall risk. Minor adjustments to your stride, posture, or foot placement can make walking feel less exhausting.
Balance exercises are crucial as MS affects your stability systems. Activities might seem simple — standing on one foot or walking in a straight line — but they help retrain your brain to use available sensory information more effectively. Better balance reduces fear of falling and keeps you active longer.
Endurance building helps you walk longer distances without exhaustion by gradually increasing walking time while monitoring your fatigue levels. Your therapist tracks your responses and adjusts the program to build stamina without triggering overwhelming fatigue.
Strength training targets muscles that still work properly
Even when MS damages some nerve pathways, many of your muscles remain perfectly capable of getting stronger. Physical therapy identifies which muscle groups still need improvement and focuses on those areas.
For instance, core strengthening helps with everything from sitting upright to transferring between seats. A strong midsection supports better posture and reduces back pain that can develop when other muscles weaken.
Building upper body strength makes using mobility aids easier and reduces strain during daily activities. Strong arms also help with transfers and getting up from chairs when leg strength declines.
Spasticity affects up to 80% of people with MS, causing muscles to feel tight, cramped, or resistant to movement. Physical therapy offers several approaches to reduce this stiffness and improve comfort.
The most effective spasticity management techniques include:
Learning proper positioning matters more than most people realize; small changes in how you sit or stand during activities can relieve muscle tightness throughout the day.
Many people resist mobility aids, but they actually increase independence and safety when used correctly. Physical therapists help you choose appropriate equipment and master the techniques that make aids truly helpful.
The main types of mobility aid training include:
Proper training prevents the injuries and complications that often develop when people try to figure out mobility aids on their own.
Most people with MS typically notice their symptoms worsen in heat, but this shouldn’t prevent exercise. Physical therapists understand heat sensitivity and design programs that work around this challenge.
Pool therapy provides excellent exercise in a temperature-controlled environment. Water supports your body weight while providing resistance for strengthening. Many people find they can exercise longer and more comfortably in water.
Indoor programs use climate control and strategic timing to maintain comfortable temperatures. Your therapist monitors your responses and adjusts session length and intensity based on your heat tolerance.
Physical therapy complements the medications you’re already taking for MS. Disease-modifying therapies like siponimod, beta interferons, or monoclonal antibodies work to slow disease progression. In contrast, physical therapy helps maximize your function within your current abilities.
At Neurology Diagnostics, Inc., we work closely with your therapy team to ensure that all treatments are coordinated effectively.
Call our Dayton office at 937-224-8200 or schedule online to discuss how physical therapy can help manage your MS symptoms and maintain your independence.
