Multiple sclerosis can feel unpredictable. Symptoms come and go, energy runs low and no two days look quite the same. It affects the whole family, not only the person diagnosed. But there is plenty you can do to stay strong, mobile and in control, and physiotherapy is a big part of that.
More than 33,000 Australians live with MS, and it affects about three times more women than men. Most people are diagnosed young, between the ages of 20 and 40.
At Pimpama Physiotherapy, MS is one of the neurological conditions we treat. We provide multiple sclerosis physiotherapy at our Pimpama clinic and through home visits across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. We support people at every stage, and through the ups and downs that MS can bring.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple sclerosis is a condition of the central nervous system, which is your brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective coating around your nerves. That damage disrupts the messages travelling between your brain and your body.
MS affects everyone differently. The two main patterns are:
-
Relapsing-remitting MS: the most common type. Symptoms flare up (a relapse), then ease off or settle.
-
Progressive MS: symptoms build up more steadily over time.
There is no cure for MS yet. But medication and the right support can manage symptoms well, and many people stay active and independent for a long time.
Common Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis We Help Manage
MS can affect many parts of the body, and symptoms can change from week to week. The ones physiotherapy can help with include:
-
Fatigue (the most common MS symptom, and often the most limiting).
-
Walking and mobility changes.
-
Balance and coordination problems.
-
Muscle weakness.
-
Spasticity (tight, stiff muscles).
-
Numbness, tingling or altered sensation.
-
Heat sensitivity, where symptoms flare in hot weather.
MS can also affect vision, bladder, bowel, mood and memory. These are supported by the wider team, such as your neurologist, MS nurse and occupational therapist, working alongside your physiotherapist.
How Physiotherapy Helps Multiple Sclerosis
For a long time, people with MS were told to rest and avoid exertion. We now know the opposite is true. Regular, well-paced exercise is one of the most helpful things you can do for MS. It can improve strength, balance, walking and fatigue, and help you stay independent.
The key word is paced. With MS, exercise needs to be dosed carefully. Too much can leave you wiped out or flare symptoms. Too little misses the benefits. We help you find the right balance, and we adjust it as your MS changes.
Managing MS Fatigue
Fatigue is the symptom people with MS struggle with most. It is not ordinary tiredness. It can hit suddenly and make everyday tasks feel huge.
Physiotherapy helps you manage it, instead of pushing through and crashing. We work on:
-
Pacing and energy conservation, so you spend energy where it counts.
-
Building fitness gradually, which can reduce fatigue over time.
-
Planning activity around your higher-energy times of day.
-
Keeping cool, since heat makes MS fatigue worse.
What MS Physiotherapy Can Focus On
Beyond fatigue, we tailor your sessions to your goals and symptoms. That can include:
-
Gentle, consistent strength work.
-
Balance training and gait (walking) retraining.
-
Spasticity management, including stretching and bracing such as the Turtle brace.
-
Cardiovascular fitness.
-
Falls prevention.
-
Advice on equipment and home adaptations.
-
Heat management strategies.
Multiple Sclerosis Physiotherapy In Clinic Or At Home
You can see us at our Pimpama clinic, or we can come to you. For MS, home visits can be a real advantage. When fatigue is high or the weather is hot, getting to a clinic is not always easy, so we bring the session to you instead. Home visits also let us work on the real tasks that matter, in the spaces you use every day. We cover the northern Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
MS care is a team effort. We work alongside your neurologist, MS nurse, occupational therapist and exercise physiologist, so your physiotherapy fits your wider plan.
Funding For Multiple Sclerosis Physiotherapy
MS physiotherapy is usually ongoing, so funding matters. Because MS is often diagnosed young, the NDIS is a common pathway. Depending on your age and situation, your sessions may be covered through:
-
NDIS: many people under 65 with MS are eligible (see NDIS).
-
Support at Home: for older Australians, through the aged care system (see Support at Home).
-
Medicare: through a chronic disease management plan from your GP (see Medicare).
-
DVA: for eligible veterans.
-
Private health funds with extras cover for physiotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book An Multiple Sclerosis Physiotherapy Assessment In Pimpama
If you or someone you love is living with MS, we are here to help you keep moving. Book an MS physiotherapy assessment at our Pimpama clinic, or request a home visit across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. If you are not sure where to start or what funding applies, get in touch and we will walk you through it.
Phone 0432 730 386 or email admin@pimpamaphysio.com.au.