Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: How Physical Activity Can Help

The professional explains how physical exercises help treat multiple sclerosis and stabilize some symptoms

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects many people around the world. To be more precise, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 2.2 million people affected by this pathology. In this way the practice of physical activities can become a beneficial action treatment for multiple sclerosis.

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Second Silvia Lemos Fagundes, professor of the Physiotherapy and Physical Education courses at the Centro Universitário Cesuca, the disease, once diagnosed, manifests itself with epidemics – and this is where physical exercises come into play, which manage to stabilize the symptoms related to movement. Next, the professional explains how this is possible.

Physical activity and treatment of multiple sclerosis

According to Silvia, multiple sclerosis can lead to sensory disturbances (numbness or tingling), difficulty walking, cognitive and memory problems, weakness or tiredness.

“Thus, when the disease is not treated adequately, it can turn into a serious condition, with reduced life expectancy, pulmonary and urological infections and, above all, difficulty swallowing food,” he points out.

While there is no cure for MS, there are many treatments for multiple sclerosis today.

“Physical exercise is the main ally for the patient’s stability, together with physiotherapy, which helps in the recovery of movement and strengthens the muscles”, explains the professional.

“In this scenario, physical activity or kinesitherapy (physiotherapy resource in patients with sclerosis) aims to reduce pain characterized by muscle contractures, relieving the patient’s symptoms.”

Silvia emphasizes that the exercises maintain the integrity of the joints, preventing deformities, weakness and fatigue of the muscles, as well as tremors and spasticity that evolve into stiffness of the muscles during voluntary movements. These, in turn, end up making it difficult to coordinate movements, such as reaching for a glass, tying your shoes and brushing your teeth.

Thus, guided movement improves balance and independent walking in people with multiple sclerosis, preventing falls and subsequent fractures.

“Therapeutic breathing exercises also prevent respiratory complications, improve the quality of life in daily and work activities, which are extremely important for these patients,” concludes the professional.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.