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Pilates and MS

Pilates is known for it’s benefits of increasing strength, flexibility, mobility and balance. All things we take for granted on a daily bases, but not if you have MS.

What is MS

“Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects your brain and spinal cord. In MS, the coating that protects your nerves (myelin) is damaged, and this causes a range of symptoms.” definition from MS society website.so important

The benefits are therefore important for those who suffer from MS. Whilst symptoms vary for everyone with MS the benefits of doing regular Pilates will help with weakness and fatigue and balance problems.

Originally exercise for people with MS was not recommended but now it have found that moderate exercise can have a positive benefit.

Another advantage of Pilates is that the exercises can be adapted whether in a wheel chair or able to get to the floor. Without losing the reason for doing Pilates in the first place.

I have been teaching my client Marilyn for several years. Marilyn is now in a wheel chair has a Pilates session once a week.

I recently asked her little bit more about her condition and how Pilates was helping her.

When were you first diagnosed with MS?

I was diagnosed 30 years ago at the age of 36. I was fit and a committed Christian which helped me when i had all the test and results.

How was your life affected after your diagnoses?

For the next 10 years i worked, drove a car, swan every week staying fit still. The following 10 years mobility became more of a problem and i had to use a walker up and downstairs. I also had to give up driving, maybe now i could have carried on longer with the introduction of hand paddles in cars. I also started having a weekly physio session.

The last 10 years my mobility has got worst and i now use a wheelchair all the time.

How has Pilates helped you?

Pilates keeps my core strong, we do a lot of stretching and mobility exercises with arms and shoulders and also a small amount of strength work on the arms. I have found that engaging my core helps when i am transferring to the toilet, bed chair and stair lift. I always here your words in my head all the time!