| Exercise for People With MS |
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As recently as twenty years ago, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) were advised to
avoid physical activity/exercise because it could increase symptoms or possibly even
increase disease activity. Today it is well accepted that exercise is beneficial in
maintaining or increasing one’s health, decreasing secondary complications and
improving psychological well-being. There is no evidence that exercise affects
the disease process, either positively or negatively, but there is ample evidence
of the effects of exercise on overall physical and psychological health.
The Surgeon General’s 1996 Report on Physical Activity and Health outlined the
importance of exercise. The report stressed that physical activity need not be
strenuous to achieve health benefits and significant health benefits can be
gained with moderate amounts of physical activity. These are important factors
for people with MS because of the problems with fatigue. The benefits of
physical activity include reducing the risk for coronary heart disease,
high blood pressure, colon cancer and diabetes. In addition, it can help
improve stamina and muscle strength. These findings emphasize the importance
of physical activity in improving health and reducing the risk for premature death.
Exercise is generally separated into three different categories: Aerobic
or Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Stretching and Strengthening. Other forms
of exercise may focus on balance, coordination or mobility. These exercises
are designed to address very specific deficits that may exist and often can
be classified in one of the three general areas mentioned earlier. Exercise
is usually prescribed with specific recommendations of: type (what exercise?),
frequency (how often?), the duration (how much time?) and the intensity (how hard?)
of the exercise. It is important to get some initial guidance from your physician,
physical therapist or exercise physiologist when starting your exercise program.
This guidance will allow you to address your individual needs. Exercise groups
are a beneficial way of improving adherence to your exercise program.
Exercise can be a positive therapeutic ritual. The use of exercise as a therapeutic
ritual provides people with chronic disease an activity around which they can
organize their day and focus on a healthy activity.
Brian Hutchinson, PT
President, The Heuga Center |
| - reprinted with permision from- The Heuga Center. |
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