4 Rehab Options for Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers

Multiple sclerosis is always accompanied by issues with muscle control and muscle weakness. That’s why people with the condition have trouble walking or moving and using other parts of their bodies. They sometimes have to relearn how to do tasks that they used to be able to do easily, like speaking clearly, writing, walking, or grooming themselves. If left ignored, multiple sclerosis can cause difficulty swallowing, vision impairment, breathing difficulty, hearing loss, osteoporosis, and loss of bowel control.  

Though multiple sclerosis is incurable, it can be managed through various rehab treatments. There are lots of types of rehab options for multiple sclerosis, including physical and occupational therapy or cognitive rehabilitation. These can help regain your abilities, in part by building new connections between nerve cells. 

Each type of rehab starts with an evaluation of how well you’re managing your daily tasks and other specific activities, like writing or speaking. 

Your rehab plan will be based on your needs that are identified by various tests. The main goal of MS rehabilitation is to lower disability and help people with multiple sclerosis continue to live as independently as possible. 

1. Cognitive rehabilitation 

Cognitive problems are possibly the most common reason MS sufferers leave work. Cognitive issues due to multiple sclerosis include trouble staying focused, memory loss, difficulty multitasking, and inability to manage time or complete complex tasks. 

Cognitive rehab helps MS patients develop strategies that minimize the effects of cognitive impairment. The therapy may include learning to use a smartphone to set reminders, or it may include training to manage more than one task at a time.

2. Occupational therapy 

This type of work is similar to physical therapy. But the main difference between these therapies is that occupational therapy is focused on finding easier ways of doing daily activities while physical therapy is aimed at building strength and flexibility. For instance, occupational therapy offers: 

• Assisting with choosing and learning to use mobility devices.

• Finding methods to perform daily tasks at home, work, or elsewhere. 

• Assessing and improving home safety. 

• Planning when and for how long to take rest breaks. 

• Learning to conserve energy if fatigue is a constant problem.

3. Physical rehabilitation

Physical therapy (PT) has a wide range of functions and benefits. A physical therapist can help with lots of issues arising from multiple sclerosis. Here is what the treatment offers:

• Pain management

• Helping to improve and maintain good posture.

• Stretching tight muscles

• Dealing with gait (walking) problems.

• Choosing and fitting orthotic devices.

• Advising on cooling products.

• Designing an appropriate fitness program.

• Prescribing exercises for manual dexterity.

• Helping with balance problems.

• Bladder retraining.

• Teaching how to use a cane, walker, scooter, or wheelchair.

Physical therapy helps fight fatigue as well. It focuses on energy conservation. This involves learning how to pick and choose activities throughout the day if you are going through a period of pain or muscle weakness.

4. Speech therapy 

People with multiple sclerosis might not only lose control over muscles responsible for walking, but they can also lose control over muscles that are involved in speech. Speech therapy helps retain certain muscle groups, which will help make speech clearer. This training can also boost swallowing ability since this process involves many of the same muscles used for speaking.

The Bottom Line 

When combined, some of these therapies might effectively reduce any loss of mobility or function caused by multiple sclerosis. If any of these options are not included in your MS treatment plan, consider talking to your healthcare provider about adding them. Don’t delay your treatment, multiple sclerosis tends to progress fast and can cause serious and dangerous health consequences.