Exercise and MS
Exercise is essential for good health, whether you have multiple sclerosis (MS) or not. If you do have MS, exercise can be more challenging yet also more important. Many studies have shown the benefits of exercise to people with multiple sclerosis, including:
- Improved cardiovascular fitness
- Increased strength
- Better bladder and bowel function
- Less fatigue and depression
- More positive attitude
- More participation in social activities
In contrast, people with multiple sclerosis who are not physically active show an increase in risk factors, such as heart disease, muscle weakness and bone fractures.
What Type of Exercise Should I Do?
Your exercise program should be based on your unique needs, such as progression of your multiple sclerosis, severity of your symptoms and other factors. Talk to your doctor. He or she may refer you to a physical therapist who specializes in the unique symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Here are some types of exercises you may want to consider as part of your therapy program.
Water Exercises
Water is an ideal environment for exercising your weakened limbs and muscles. The reduced gravity and added buoyancy of water allows for more range of motion and flexibility than you could get on land. Water also provides a cooling effect, which can prevent overheating, often a cause of temporary worsening in multiple sclerosis.
Yoga
Yoga is a type of exercise, but it's different from sports like football or running. When you do yoga, you move your body into positions that stretch your muscles and joints and make them stronger.
Yoga also helps to reduce stress. Yoga students with multiple sclerosis have often reported that, after practicing yoga, they are more relaxed and that many times, the severity of their symptoms is reduced. They are able to feel more in their feet and legs, and are able to move their legs more easily.
Some of the ways yoga can help you relax include:
- Repetitive movement done during the poses, and the steady, even breathing induces relaxation response
- Many of the postures, such as forward bends and inversions have a calming effect
- Yoga postures release muscular tension through stretching, and this relaxes the body and mind
- The nerves are massaged and stretched during yoga, releasing tension, and increasing the ability of the nerves to communicate to the muscles and other parts of the body
Ask your doctor or physical therapist about aquatics, yoga or exercises. A good exercise program can help ease your MS symptoms and should be part of any MS treatment program.
