Creating Positive Movement Experiences for Pilates Clients with MS

Polestar Faculty Nichole Anderson, NCPT has had the pleasure of working with many clients with MS and has enjoyed the constant learning process it has provided.

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society defines MS as a:

“disease that involves an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system (CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves”.

In other words, MS involves a person’s immune system attacking their nerves. In our huge network of nerves, information has to travel quickly to allow us to act spontaneously. Many nerves are covered in myelin.  This both insulates and accelerates the rate at which information travels in the nerve. When the immune system consistently attacks the myelin, it becomes damaged and forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name. As the disease progresses, the nerve fiber itself can become damaged and destroyed. What does this mean on a larger scale? When the myelin is scarred or the nerve fiber damaged or destroyed, a large number of nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cord are interrupted and/or distorted. All actions in the body and brain are triggered by some sort of nerve impulse which is why symptoms can vary from person to person.

Who Gets Multiple Sclerosis? 

• MS is a very difficult disease to diagnose.  There are currently no single tests for MS. Because of this challenge, MS is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.  Most epidemiological statistics on MS are estimates.
• Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.
• In general, MS is more common in areas further from the equator.  There are many communities far from the equator that have little to no reported incidences of MS.
• MS is at least 2-3 times more common in women than men.
• Genetic factors seem to play a large part in determining who develops MS.
• As with many diseases, MS is believed to be triggered by an environmental factor, as yet unidentified, in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond. 

• Foot drop: This is where there is weakness in the muscles that dorsi-flex the ankle. When this progresses, walking can be dangerous as there is an increased fall risk. 
• Numbness: This is often one of the earliest and most common symptoms of MS. It can be numbness anywhere in the body, face, and extremities. It can cause the affected area to be disconnected and difficult to control. We will discuss later some ways to facilitate movement when certain body parts are numb.
• Fatigue: In a movement class, this often means being unable to do high repetitions of movements, especially at a high load.
• Weakness: This can occur from basic deconditioning of muscles that aren’t used due to damage to the nerves that stimulate them. Weakness can also occur when a client with MS has gotten overheated or fatigued.
• Spasticity: This is when there is an involuntary muscle spasm that can cause prolonged rigidity in the limb that is spasming. 

Allow Transfers To Become A Part Of The Class

Depending on how far the disease has progressed, one of the most challenging parts of a class can be the transfer of one position to another. I like to discuss strategies for making these transitions.  This could be gazing, moving from sitting to standing, maybe pausing somewhere in the middle of a transfer to do some movement there.  It can also be supportive to allow time for clients to settle into the next position, allowing them to rest from the transition. This is also great because it is functional and allows clients to have strategies for getting out of sticky situations when they are going through their daily lives.  I also like to help my clients explore their breath by spending time in each class breathing and working on the movement of the diaphragm and ribcage.

Work Safely On Balance

Use the equipment to your advantage! I often pull the tower bar through to the back and attach the safety strap. This creates a solid bar they can hold to practice heel raises or balancing on one leg.  I also find the Core Align to be a great tool for working with clients with MS as it enables reciprocal leg movement with the support of a ladder to hold on to.

Support Distant Extremities : 

• Use velcro straps to connect feet to the footbar and hands to dowels if there is too much numbness in the feet or hands to hold on well.
• Utilize Y-straps to secure both feet and hands when doing work with springs and pulleys.
• Use therabands to hold thighs together for bridging, pelvic clock, and other exercises that require legs to be still. This is only necessary if the client is struggling to connect to their legs.
• Use your tactile cues to bring awareness to less responsive areas.  With your client’s permission, palpate areas that are not connecting well to help them find their feet, hands, legs, etc before going into a movement.

Keep In Mind That No Two Days Are Alike

What may have been strengths one day may be weaknesses other days. The temperature outside, activities of the day before, stress and other external influences can vastly affect the capabilities of clients with MS from day to day. It is always important to check in, and to allow for progress to be relative

Connect with Polestar Educator Nichole Anderson on social media @nicholemoves. 

This article includes information from The National MS Society Nationalmssociety.org

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