Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord that causes a range of symptoms including problems with vision, movement, sensation, or balance. Symptoms vary from person to person and can be invisible to others so it may be that you look well even when you are feeling unwell which can be a challenge in itself. Currently, 107,300 people in the UK have MS, which is roughly 1 in 500 people. With a population of around 722,000, this is equal to around 1,444 people in Leicestershire currently with MS.

However MS affects you, exercising and staying active can help you stay as healthy as possible. It can:

Improve your mood
Improve some of your symptoms, including fatigue, problems with balance and walking
Improve your overall health when your MS is mild
Help you stay as active as possible when your MS is more severe
Decrease the risk of heart disease

Frequently Asked Questions - MS

Can I be active with Multiple Sclerosis?

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:54

Yes you can, with some preparations in place. With MS, you might have trouble with overheating, fatigue, mobility and recovery, so these need to be taken into consideration. If you have any concerns, you should speak to your doctor or a medical professional before you commence a new exercise routine.

How can physical activity help?

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:02

There are several ways in which physical activity can help. Exercise can help to help with your levels of fatigue, your balance and walking, muscle spasms and stiffness, and bladder and bowel control. Exercise is also extremely beneficial to mental health, and helps to improve low mood, anxiety and depression.

Getting active with Multiple Sclerosis: Where to start?

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:02

It is important to start slowly and build up to any new activities and find out what is comfortable for you. You should begin any exercise routine with gentle stretching, build your heart rate up gradually, and then cool down properly to avoid stiffness after exercise. You should speak to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Some suitable physical activity suggestions for those living with Multiple Sclerosis:

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:03

Whatever exercise you chose, it should be something that you are interested in doing. It is also important that it is something that can be adapted, depending on what your needs are. Being active can include activities that can be incorporated into your day to day life. These include:

Gardening
Household chores
Cooking
Walking the dog
Taking the stairs

Swimming, or exercising in water can also be beneficial as it helps to stretch the muscles and improve flexibility. You may find that you have difficulty keeping yourself cool, so providing the water temperature is below 28°C, the water might help you maintain your body temperature easier than when exercising on land.

When to avoid exercising with Multiple Sclerosis:

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:05

Physical activity is safe, even when you have symptoms of long-term conditions, such as poor MS. Regular physical activity, in combination with your medical care, is important in the management long-term conditions. However, if you experience a dramatic increase in breathlessness, new or worsening chest pain, a sudden onset of rapid palpitations or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or sudden change in vision, it is important to stop and seek medical advice.

When exercising with MS, you need to be careful to not overdo it. Doing too much exercise can strain your muscles, increase pain, and put a lot of stress on your body and mind. It is therefore important that you do not exercise to the point of fatigue.

Symptom specific advice:

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:06

Exercise shouldn't hurt so it is important to speak to someone if you are unsure. As mentioned previously when you have MS, you might have trouble with overheating, fatigue, mobility and recovery, so these need to be taken into consideration. It is therefore important to stay hydrated to keep your body temperature low, and exercise in cool environments. Stretching after exercise should be part of your exercise routine, and you should build up slowly to any exercise you undertake. Safety should be number one priority.

Rebecca's Story

"I changed the way I was looking at things and stopped focusing on what I had lost and started looking at what I could do with what I still had." - Rebecca

Visit We Are Undefeatable for more information and inspiration on getting active.

You can also meet our Let's Get Moving Champions who share their inspirational stories on how they have become and stayed active this year!

Get Active

If you are ready to move more and feel better, there are a range of activities and sessions to help you meet your activity goal. Be sure to find something you enjoy!

Active At Home

Lots of information and ideas on how to keep yourself healthy and active whilst staying at home or working from home.
Getting active, my way: What's near me?

This resource is here to help you find your local parks, open spaces, walking and cycling routes, and give you some ideas on what to do when you get there.
Walk, Run, Cycle, Together

Thinking about having a go at walking, running, or cycling? It's a great way to get out in your local area and move a little more.
Active Referral

A selection of physical activity programmes for people with medical conditions, whose health would benefit from being more active.

Resources for MS

NHS (MS)

A detailed overview of Multiple Sclerosis, including the symptoms, importance of diagnosis and further support.
Multiple Sclerosis Trust

A charity that helps make sense of MS. For over 30 years, MS Trust have supported people affected by MS throughout their diagnosis and journey.
MS Society

MS Society funds world-leading research, shares the latest information, and campaigns for everyone's rights.

You are performing the exercises linked from our website at your own risk.

Whilst every effort has been made to verify the information on the Cancer page, Active Together is not responsible for the accuracy or content of external websites. Whilst taking part in physical activity, participants should ensure they take part at a level which is appropriate to them and their health and are responsible for ensuring they check the credentials and health and safety requirements for each activity. It is recommended that participants follow the Chief Medical Officers Guidelines for physical activity. Participants will choose to utilise these links and take part in activities at their own risk.

For Healthcare Professionals

It is important to have conversations with those living with MS about the importance of physical activity. Physical activity as a prevention and treatment for long-term health conditions is a consensus backed by rigorous evidence.

Our Active Medicine page supports local healthcare professionals with promoting the benefits of physical activity, including Physical Activity and Health training, E-Learning resources, and healthy conversation skills.

The fantastic Moving Medicine resource hosts step-by-step guides to have quality conversations with patients about physical activity for MS- from 1 - 5 minute conversation opportunities.

References