Why Multiple Sclerosis Patients Should Exercise?

Are you wondering if people with MS can exercise or not? Yes, they can.

However, it's best to go with an individual approach, as levels of ability can differ. Some of the common symptoms of MS, such as chronic tiredness, sore muscles, and poor coordination, may make the probability of exercise formidable.

MS is an intensifying inflammatory disease that causes injury to the myelin sheaths that coat the nerve cells. Approximately, 1 lakh people in India suffer from this disorder. The symptoms recur over time and can vary from numbness or tingling in the limbs, to muscle weakness, and fatigue.

Exercising regularly helps you keep a healthy body and mind. It can minimize the risk of disease and fatal health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Experts suggest that physical therapy can boost many areas of life for people with MS, which includes physical symptoms, mental health, and social functioning.

For people who suffer from MS, exercising regularly can help them with:

• Improving mobility

• Enhancing flexibility and muscle movements

• Enriching the overall quality of life

• Minimizing the risk of MS-related complications

• Lowering the risk of mental health conditions

Patients must consult with their doctor before starting an exercise program. Patients may put on a customized plan based on particular symptoms and current health status. The doctor can also help patients perform exercises correctly to avoid any injury.

Here are some of the best exercises for people with Multiple Sclerosis:

Aerobic exercises

These are dynamic activities that increase heart rate. Aerobic exercises are especially good for boosting lung capacity, strengthening core muscles, and making balance and coordination much better.

These exercises can help you walk better, mostly when the person does strength training for the legs.

Aerobic exercise can provide the following benefits to people with MS who have minor to major disability:

• Higher energy levels — less fatigue

• Better heart rate

• Improved quality of life

Progressive strength training

Strength training can increase muscle strength, improve posture, and balance. Working with a physiotherapist can help people figure out the exercises and techniques that work best for them.

In progressive strength training programs, people start with light weights and minimum repetitions. They gradually increase the amount of weight or the number of repetitions as they build more muscle over time.

People can develop a personalized exercise routine with the help of a physiotherapist or a personal trainer who specializes in MS.

Yoga

Yoga is a mind-body practice that includes various breathing, stretching, and meditation exercises. Yoga enhances flexibility and strength while promoting a calm, harmonious mindset.

The physical and psychological effects of yoga show positive outcomes for people with MS. Developing some flexibility and strength may improve MS symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and limpness.

Precautions

People should stop exercising if they experience:

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Body gets overheated

• Confusion

• Loss of balance or coordination problems
  
  

You may consider the following safety tips while exercising:

• Stay hydrated

• Do stretching before and after a workout session to avoid injury

• Lean against the wall or railing to get stability while performing balance exercises

• Just go slow and make sure you complete all exercises using the right technique

A person with MS can improvise an exercise routine to meet his or her needs. Just remember to work within your range of ability and not to overdo it.

 

Plexus is a first-line Stem Cell Therapy Centre in Bangalore. We aim to improve and maintain the functionality of a person suffering from MS by offering a comprehensive regenerative rehabilitation program.