While there is no known cure for multiple sclerosis, regular exercise under the supervision of an Exercise Physiologist can help improve the quality of life for people living with MS. Kieser Exercise Physiologist, Alex Bussell, shares some insights on how exercise can help manage the symptoms of MS.
Managing MS Symptoms with Exercise and Kieser
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. It involves the destruction and inflammation of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibres. According to a recent survey, there were estimated to be over 25,000 Australians with MS which equates to about 10 Australians diagnosed every week. Roughly three times as many women suffer from MS than men.
There are four different types of MS categorised by the way the disease affects the body over time. Risk factors include gender, ethnicity, poor diet, age, genetics and low sunlight exposure. The abnormality in neural connections can impair physical movement and motor function.
If not well managed there can be drastic alterations to lifestyle activities such as work, friendships and activities of daily living. Multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers are also predisposed to an increased likelihood of developing secondary conditions such as depression, arthritis, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, epilepsy and more.
Exercise & multiple sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) cannot be cured but can be treated to ease, control or delay symtoms. Physical exercise can be prescribed by Exercise Physiologists to help prevent further deterioration. Exercise is a safe treatment for MS patients with research demonstrating positive improvements to strength, mobility, pain, psychosocial functioning, sleep, aerobic capacity, quality of life and managing spasticity and fatigue levels.
As multiple sclerosis is a very unpredictable disease, each individual must be managed differently. It is critical that exercise demands/loading parameters must be kept at appropriate levels at all times, which is why the Kieser method is ideal for multiple sclerosis clients. This places extreme importance on supervised sessions from an expert for the best health outcomes.
Multiple sclerosis sufferers should complete a minimum of 2-3 exercise sessions per week for approximately 20-30 minutes total. Exercise should include a combination of strength, cardio, flexibility and balance training. It should be conducted in a temperature regulated room to avoid overheating which can lead to blockages of electrical nerve conduction. If individuals find they have more energy during a specific part of the day, take advantage of that to increase program efficiency.
If you or someone you know has multiple sclerosis, visit your Exercise Physiologist at a Kieser centre today for a suitable tailored exercise program or ask about joining our group balance classes which are available at a majority of Kieser facilities
