LEARNING TO LIVE WITH MS HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP
Physical therapy treats the body through movement, stretching, and strength-building. So, it’s natural to assume it couldn’t help with a neurological condition. But you might be surprised. March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, and while there’s no cure for this disease, PT can reduce patients’ pain and improve their overall quality of life. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological condition that affects roughly 1 million Americans. Damaging the nerves, MS can cause muscle pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling. People with MS often suffer from vision problems, incontinence, and dizziness. Struggling to walk is extremely common. MS sufferers also have a 70% higher risk of depression. MS affects more women than men and is more likely to strike people living farther from the equator. As a result, the Midwest is the U.S. region with the second-highest instance of the condition. Whether the disease progresses quickly or slowly will depend on the patient, and MS sometimes goes into remission. But the overall effects on a patient’s daily activities can be devastating. Proper treatment can reduce the symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life. Physical therapy is an essential component of care for
people with MS. Through PT, patients can improve their strength and balance, reduce the frequency of the worst symptoms, and begin completing daily tasks like they did before.
In the earliest stages after diagnosis, physical therapy for MS often focuses on helping patients learn to cope with their changing bodies and make the
most of their abilities. A physical therapist determines a patient’s limitations and goals before developing a personalized exercise program. A physical therapist may also suggest complementary programs like aquatic therapy, tai chi, and yoga. Physical therapy can often help people with MS reduce the extent of their disability by improving their ability to walk, balance, and breathe. Strength training can also improve stamina and help patients rebuild the muscles they’ve lost during their worst flare-ups. Many MS patients will ultimately need a mobility aid, and physical therapy can help people learn to use their assistive devices correctly. Your doctor should recommend physical therapy after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and it’s crucial to find a provider you can trust. We hope you and your family will choose Horizon Physical Therapy, where we work every day to make our patients feel safe and comfortable.
Have a Laugh
Classic Cabbage Rolls
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
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1 medium head cabbage
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1 1/2 tsp salt, divided 1 cup cooked rice
1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup ketchup
2 14.5-oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb lean (90%) ground beef
1/4 lb Italian sausage
Directions 1. In a Dutch oven, cook cabbage in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain. Rinse in cold water; drain. Remove 8 large outer leaves; set aside. 2. In a large saucepan, sauté 1 cup onion in butter. Add tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a large bowl, combine rice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and remaining onion and salt. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix. 4. Remove thick vein from cabbage leaves for easier rolling. Place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each leaf; fold in sides. Starting at an unfolded edge, roll leaf to completely enclose filling. Place rolls seam side down in a skillet. Top with sauce. 5. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cook 20 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted reads 160 F.
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