MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple Sclerosis
Are You Struggling To Cope With Multiple Sclerosis?
PHYSIOTHERAPY IN ETOBICOKE CAN HELP YOU MANAGE THE SYMPTOMS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
Have you been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Are you worried about how your MS would impact your life? Our physiotherapy service in Burlington provides are skilled at managing the complex issues that people diagnosed with MS encounter every day. We at Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington are passionate about helping you cope better with the symptoms of MS and want to join you on your road to recovery as soon as possible so you can return to a fulfilling and enjoyable life following a MS diagnosis!
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With an estimated 90,000 Canadians living with multiple sclerosis (MS), Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. As much as 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS daily and most are diagnosed between the 20 and 49 years. MS is unpredictable and the effects of the disease will last for the rest of the life of anyone diagnosed with the disease. Therefore, you need professionals in your corner who understand the disease, how it manifests in different individuals and how to make the needed changes to improve your quality of life.​
Make an appointment today with a physiotherapist in Burlington at Cogent Rehab to learn more about how we can assist you.
WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. The brain, spinal cord and optic nerves make up the central nervous system. MS is unpredictable and may cause symptoms such as severe fatigue, poor coordination, general weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder issues, poor cognition and mood changes. The effects of the disease can be physical, emotional and also financial. At the moment, there is no cure for MS. However, research continues to evolve more about the causes and prevention of MS.
WHAT CAUSES MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
The cause of MS remains unknown despite a lot of research to understand the origins of MS. Current evidence suggests lifestyle, environmental, genetic and biological factors all contribute to MS. Scientists think MS is an immune-mediated disorder. This means that the immune system attacks your own healthy tissue in the central nervous system. The immune system is the body’s natural defense against illness. This causes inflammation and damage to the central nervous system. This disrupts the signals to and from the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body, causing the symptoms of MS.
SYMPOMS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Bladder Dysfunction
About 80% of people diagnosed with MS report bladder problems. This is due to a spastic (overactive) bladder that is unable to hold the normal amount of urine or a bladder that does not empty properly (and retains some urine in it)
Emotional Changes
MS can bring emotional changes including grief, sadness, worry, fear, moodiness, irritability and anxiety. This can be due to adjusting to life with MS diagnosis, neurologic changes or medication side effects.
Pain or Itching
Pain is very common in MS and can limit your ability to do things that you enjoy. People with MS, may experience 2 types of pain: neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal pain. Pain can be further described as either acute (recent) or chronic (persistent).
Walking Difficulty
Difficulties in walking and abnormal gait following MS is related to ataxia, fatigue, unsteadiness, foot drop, spasticity, muscle weakness and sensory changes like numbness in the feet.
Bowel Dysfunction
70% of people with MS get a bowel problems such as constipation or incontinence (leakage). In MS, the colon muscles become weak and sluggish and the gut slows down. This leads to longer processing of waste and harder poo causing constipation.
Fatigue
About 80% of people with multiple sclerosis live with fatigue. Fatigue may be the most common symptom in people who otherwise have few activity limitations. Fatigue can interfere with your ability to function at home and work.
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Sexual Dysfunction
Numbness, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido coping with fatigue, pain, depression and the stresses of a chronic disease like MS on personal relationships can impact your sex life.
Vision Issues
Vision problems such as optic neuritis, diplopia (double vision) and nystagmus are the first sign of MS for many people. These conditions can be frightening and uncomfortable.
Cognitive Changes
Cognitive changes is often the first symptom of MS and >50% of people with MS experience some cognitive function changes. The changes could be mild and involve 1 or 2 areas of cognitive functioning or more challenging, interfering with work or school.
MS Hug (Dysesthesia)
MS hug is often a first symptom of MS. It describes a squeezing sensation described as burning, stabbing or tingling pain, or an electric shock. Occurs around the torso and feels like a tightened BP cuff, making it hard to take breath. It can also be felt in the hands, legs, feet or the head and .
Spasticity
Spasticity refers to feelings of stiffness and muscle spasms and is one of the more common symptoms of MS. Spasticity can range from tight muscles to painful, uncontrollable spasms. It is most common in the legs and less in the arms.
Weakness
Feeling weak is common with MS, mostly during relapses. Muscle weakness can occur in any part of the body and causes feelings of an inability to maintain your usual activity level, weakness in a particular area or tiring very quickly.
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Depression
Depression is a common MS symptom. You may experience grief over changes to your day-to-day life. Clinical depression is more frequent among people with MS than it is in the general population or many other chronic illnesses.
Numbness or Tingling
Numbness of the face, body or arms and legs can be an early symptom of MS. Your numbness may be mild or so severe that it keeps you from using the affected body part properly. In most instances, numbness comes and goes, and is not disabling.
Vertigo & Dizziness
Dizziness is a common symptom of MS. You may feel off balance or lightheaded. On rare occasions, you may experience vertigo where you feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning.
Tremors
Tremors (shaking) can occur in various body parts due to damage to the nerve pathways responsible for coordinating movements. MS tremors may lead to difficulty in speaking (dysarthria) or in swallowing (dysphagia).
TYPES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
MS is currently divided into 4 different types or disease courses.
Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) refers to a first episode of neurologic symptoms. If you experience CIS, you may or may not go on to develop MS. Symptoms of CIS vary from person to person but commonly include bladder dysfunction, vision problems, and difficulty with coordination, balance, walking, speaking and swallowing (ataxia). To be considered CIS, the episode must:
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Last at least 24 hours
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Be caused by inflammation and demyelination (loss of the myelin that covers the nerve cells) in the central nervous system
Studies show that early treatment of CIS delays the onset of MS.
Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is the most common course of MS. RRMS shows clearly defined attacks of new or increasing neurologic symptoms. These attacks are known as relapses or exacerbations and are often followed by periods of partial or complete recovery, or remission. About 85% of individuals with MS are initially diagnosed with RRMS.
This graph shows the kinds of disease activity that can occur in RRMS, though each person's experience with RRMS will be unique. Following a relapse, new symptoms may disappear without causing any increase in level of disability, or new symptoms may only partially disappear, resulting in an increase in disability. New lesions on MRI, as shown by the arrows, often occur as part of a relapse. However, new MRI lesions indicating MS activity may also occur without symptoms of which the person is aware.
Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)
Some people diagnosed with RRMS eventually go on to have a secondary progressive MS (SPMS) course. In this course, neurologic function declines progressively and disability increases over time.Each person’s experience with SPMS is unique. In SPMS, you may have occasional relapses, as well as periods of stability.
This graph shows the kinds of disease activity that can occur in SPMS, though each person’s experience with SPMS is unique. As the graph shows, following a period of relapsing-remitting disease, your disability may increase over time, with or without evidence of disease activity (relapses or changes on MRI). You may also have occasional relapses, as well as periods of stability.
Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
With PPMS, neurologic function worsens or disability accumulates as soon as symptoms appear. There are no early relapses or remissions. Approximately 15% of people with MS are diagnosed with PPMS.Each person’s experience with PPMS is unique. PPMS can have brief periods of stability, with or without a relapse or new MRI activity. It can also have periods of increasing disability, with or without new relapses or lesions on an MRI.
This graph shows the kinds of disease activity that can occur in PPMS. However, each person's experience with PPMS will be unique. As the graph shows, you might have brief periods when the disease is stable, with or without a relapse or new MRI activity. You may also experience periods of increasing disability with or without new relapses or lesions on MRI.
Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center Can Alleviate The Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis!
Physiotherapists works with people with MS to assess physical difficulties and help improve movement challenges and other functions of the body impacted by MS. Physiotherapy is help you find exercises that meet your specific needs and abilities such as relieving pain, reducing spasticity, improving walking ability, avoid fatigue and falls due to unsteadiness. Our physiotherapists may suggest exercises that concentrate on a particular area of your body, or help you manage a specific physical effect of your MS.
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Our Physiotherapists have specialist training in Neuro physiotherapy and competent to address problems and conditions that have to do with nerves like MS. Visiting a regular physiotherapist for MS treatment can be disappointing as compared to a neuro-physiotherapist who understand more about the needs of people with MS and how to treat them.​
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Physiotherapy is usually recommended when there is a specific problem or ongoing symptoms that affect daily activities, mobility and independence. It can help whatever your level of disability, but can be a particularly valuable when physical symptoms progress or you are recovering from a relapse. If MS is affecting the sports or activities you are able to do, physiotherapists can suggest new ways to stay fit, or adapt your preferred exercises to suit your situation. Physiotherapists can also suggest particular exercises to treat and manage specific problems such as difficulties with mobility, balance, posture, fatigue. Other MS symptoms related to the bladder, pain, tremors can be addressed by physiotherapy. Our approach to MS physiotherapy at Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center is a personalized and hands-on approach and active therapy using body weight and technology.
DO YOU WANT TO BE MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT EVEN WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
Our physiotherapy clinic in Burlington will help you alleviate your pain, regain mobility, improve standing balance, strength and overall function and ensure energy efficient and pain-free movements for return to your pre-stroke life as much as possible.
Schedule an appointment with us today, and we will get book you for a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plan.
Visit Our Burlington Physiotherapy Clinic For Relief From Multiple Sclerosis!
Your Next Steps...
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Request An Appointment
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Receive A Personalized Treatment Plan
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Work Hard And Progress In Your Recovery
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Recover & Enjoy Life As You Should