Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that can decrease people’s mobility over a short period of time. However, adding MS Pilates to a regular routine can help to increase mobility and increase muscle strength, giving patients more freedom of movement and better quality of life.
Pilates uses special types of equipment in order to exercise and strengthen the muscles. These pieces of equipment are typically called “reformers”. However, the equipment is not required to do Pilates. MS Pilates can also be done on the floor with the support of something like a towel or a yoga mat. Pilates can be done at home or it can be done in a class setting. Many hospitals or MS centers will offer specific classes for MS Pilates.
MS Pilates is especially helpful to those with the disease because it is not jarring to the joints, and it can be done very gently. It can be done independently by most people who are in the first stages of multiple sclerosis. For those who have progressed farther in the disease, individual Pilates sessions are available. A certified instructor will help these people with the exercises and getting onto the machines. It is best for a person diagnosed with MS to find an instructor who works with people with this disease or similar mobility problems.
How MS Pilates Can Help With Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease, and it can result in severe mobility issues during later stages. Adding exercise regularly can help keep muscles strong and limber, slowing down the progression of the disease. Pilates is a great type of exercise for people with MS to consider.
Many of the exercises that are done in a Pilates class are similar to everyday activities. The skills practiced in Pilates and the muscles used can translate to everyday life. This means that people with multiple sclerosis can practice the movements and motions required for activities like walking, sitting in a chair, putting on clothes, going up or down stairs, and more. These activities can become more difficult as the disease progresses, but by participating in MS Pilates regularly, the muscle degeneration and nerve problems can be slowed down.
Practicing Pilates can also give someone who has received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis something to look forward to, improving their mood and outlook on life. It can also be a great way to reach out to and get support from other people who are suffering from the same disease as well.
