Being physically active is a key part of maintaining total wellness but people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have a harder time with this. That’s because the illness is characterized by fatigue, muscle weakness, and issues with balance. However, if you approach your exercise routine with the right information, you’ll be able to safely get the benefits you need.
Why It Helps To Exercise With Multiple Sclerosis
Apart from keeping you healthy overall, being physically active has been shown to ease some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Exercising can increase your strength and balance while improving bowel and bladder control. You will also see a decrease in the muscle tightness that comes from the prolonged muscle contraction that is associated with MS. Even better, recent studies show that exercise may decrease the likelihood of relapses and slow the progression of the disease.
How To Exercise Safely With The Illness
Exercising with multiple sclerosis is an individual experience so you will always need to modify exercise routines to suit your needs and capabilities. Your first safety precaution against hurting yourself while exercising is consulting with your doctor. They’ll be able to advise you about your likely limitations as well as the signs that you’ve done too much. It also helps to work with a physical trainer who’s familiar with multiple sclerosis.
When you’re exercising, don’t overdo it. The popular saying ‘No pain, no gain’ doesn’t apply to you. According to health experts, it’s better to take things slowly. If your planned exercise routine is rigorous, make sure to warm up and cool down so you don’t strain yourself. While working out, make the effort to keep cool and hydrated. Sometimes, you might feel numb, get a tingling sensation, or have blurred vision as you work out. That usually means you need to cool down.
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