Physical Therapy Offers Safe and Effective Alternatives to MS Medications
A woman, we’ll call her Ms. Rose, has been living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for several years. MS is an inflammatory disorder that affects the central nervous system. Like many living with her condition, Ms. Rose initially turned to prescription medications to manage her symptoms. Over time, she began to wonder if there were MS medication alternatives that could offer her relief without the side effects she experienced.
Ms. Rose spoke to her doctor, who recommended she connect with us to explore physical therapy. After learning that physical therapy offers a natural method to manage her symptoms and improve her overall quality of life, she was ready to give it a try.
This blog post shares Ms. Rose’s story of managing her MS symptoms with the holistic approach of physical therapy.
Discovering MS Medication Alternatives that Work
At her first appointment, we spent time talking about Ms. Rose’s medical history, her condition, and her goals for treatment. She was interested in regaining her mobility, so we explored MS medication alternatives that would help her build strength and increase her overall confidence. We put together a personalized program to address her unique needs and symptoms.
Manual Therapy
Pain is a common symptom that many with MS face at some point during the disease. Manual therapy is often associated with decreasing cortisol (a hormone that can treat inflammation) and increasing serotonin (responsible for regulating behavior, mood, and memory). Our physical therapists help reduce and manage MS patients’ pain, stress, and anxiety using a variety of hands-on therapy techniques.
- Myofascial Release: Gentle and sustained pressure to the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to reduce pain and inflammation, and restore motion.
- Trigger Point Release: Targets painful “knots” in the muscles to alleviate tension and discombfort.
Studies have shown that manual therapy can also help improve bladder and bowel function for MS patients.
Targeted Exercises
We introduced a diverse set of exercises to address specific aspects of Ms. Rose’s MS. Stretching helped to alleviate muscle stiffness, which is a common symptom that often leads to discomfort and limited mobility. Strengthening exercises began to build Ms. Rose’s muscles for increased support in her joints. We also incorporated mobility exercises to increase range of motion, improve her function, and further alleviate her pain.
Aerobic exercises like walking helped to enhance Ms. Rose’s cardiovascular health and combat fatigue. All of this worked together to improve her balance and stability and reduce her risk of injury from a fall.
Our collaborative and evolving approach to treatment helped Ms. Rose stay motivated to continue her treatment as she reached new milestones along the way.
Empower Yourself Through Physical Therapy with Unified Rehabilitation
Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that focuses on evaluating, diagnosing, and treating individuals with impairments, disabilities, or limitations. Our primary goal is to restore and improve:
- Mobility
- Strength
- Balance
- Coordination
- Overall physical function
- Reduce pain
- Prevent injury
Our team develops personalized treatment plans that may include the techniques mentioned here, as well as the use of therapeutic and educational tools for a comprehensive approach. We strive to empower individuals to manage their health through non-invasive, holistic methods that emphasize improving long-term health and well-being.
If you are searching for a solution for your condition that does not include daily medication, give us a call today. We’ll develop your personalized treatment plan to help you recover and improve so you can get back to living life on your own terms.