"The Right Direction to Better Health!"

One of the first things most people consider after they have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is whether or not they should exercise. It would seem that exercise and multiple sclerosis would not make a good partnership given that the disease affects a person’s strength, balance, coordination, stamina and most people who have MS are heat sensitive. You may even believe that exercise could trigger a relapse. On the contrary, exercise is a great way to keep your body healthy and fit and it can help elevate your mood as well.

Research over the last several years has shown exercise to have a positive effect on both physiological and psychological well being in MS patients. If you have MS and you are not following a regular exercise program you may actually increase such symptoms as fatigue and difficulty walking.
It has been reported that routine aerobic activity increased arm and leg strength as well as created a better mood, better bowel and bladder control and decreased fatigue. Moreover, people with MS who participate in physical activity are likely to feel a sense of self assurance that comes with a greater ability to better manage their disease.

You must be careful before starting an exercise regimen and here are some points you should consider before you embark:

The best advice is to have your doctor’s approval before you start.

Pay close attention to the heat: elevated core body temperature may cause MS symptoms to surface. If you should become fatigued, weak or confused or develop vision changes, you may be exercising too vigorously. This does not mean you are experiencing a relapse or an exacerbation but you have become overheated. These symptoms should disappear after the body has cooled down

If you can, take advantage of a water workout. Water creates the perfect conditions for exercising if you have MS. This is because your body becomes buoyant and it is much easier to move, and so you are less likely to become fatigued. Another advantage of the water is that it can help to keep your body cool during exercise and this is especially important for those who are heat sensitive. Other pluses    for water workouts are the diverse activities that can be performed in water such as water walking or jogging, stretching, aqua aerobics. “Aquacize” classes also incorporate kickboards, Styrofoam noodles as well as dumbbells to help increase strength and resistance while keeping the workout safe and fun in the water.

Yoga is another great exercise option for those who have MS. Yoga can be a gentle workout that mixes stretching, relaxation and deep  breathing. All of these are beneficial for those with MS. Research supports that yoga is helpful in decreasing fatigue and spasticity among MS patients. There are many types of yoga but the one type that seems to be the most well-liked among those with MS is a style called Iyengar yoga.