One of the consistent pieces of advice given by doctors who treat multiple sclerosis patients is that it is essential to eat well and be physically active. Patients are also advised to know as much as possible about the condition. There are many types of MS and each with different symptoms. Being aware of the condition helps one understand more about what they need to do and what they must avoid.

Being active is one mantra every MS patient needs to follow. Families, friends, and caregivers engage and interact with them as much as possible so they do not feel abandoned and burdensome. A solid support system also ensures the patient does not deal with the disease alone.

Among the many ways to keep people with MS active, it has been observed that exercise helps them the most. Based on the studies conducted on the effect of exercise on MS patients, the benefits that have been observed are as follows:

• Improved strength, balance, and gait
• Improvement in bowel and bladder control
• Decreased fatigue
• Muscle contractures (limited joint motion)
• Reduced muscle tightness
• Improvement in mobility
• Improvement of symptoms of depression
• Reduced risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases

The impact of exercise on a person with MS varies as it also depends on the person’s overall health condition and the severity of symptoms. For one to understand if exercise is good for them, it is always vital to talk to the doctor and the physical therapist. They will also guide one about what type of exercise their body needs and how much time they need to spend exercising. Randomly starting on any type of exercise without warm-up and stretching could hurt the muscles and joints:

1. Stretching
Stretching can be done every day. This helps reduce spasticity and reduce joint contractures, and will eventually facilitate better movement of joints. People with MS should start doing stretching exercises along with a trainer and over a period of time, can start doing it on their own.

2. Aerobics conditioning
One can start walking initially by joining a walking group and then start walking on a treadmill. One can also use equipment such as a stationary bike or elliptical bike. Individuals can start with about 10 minutes for about 3 to 5 times a week, and gradually extend to about 20 minutes.

3. Strengthening
Strengthening can be done to that group of muscles that are weak and fatigued. Strengthening exercises can be done 3-5 weeks per week and about 1-3 sets of repetitions for each muscle with reduced functions. One should focus on strengthening the muscles that affect walking, climbing, standing and sitting.

Aquatic exercises are also changes to the routine that multiple sclerosis patients should incorporate into their lifestyle for their improvement. It is easier to exercise in the water than outside. It can also reduce fatigue resulting from exercising. Other beneficial exercises are Tai Chi, Pilates and Swiss ball that can strengthen muscles and help coordination.

4. Guidelines to follow when exercising

• Remain hydrated with water and fruit juices.
• Wear clothes that are cooling like cooling vests and neck wraps.
• Workout in an area where there is a fan or an air conditioner.
• Avoid working out in open and sunny places.
• Work out in floors that are skid-proof to prevent a fall.
• Wears skid-proof shoes.
• Take a cold shower right after an exercise.

These precautions are necessary because people with MS are heat intolerant. It is therefore important to keep the body cool and avoid a spike in the symptoms due to heat.