Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the autonomic nervous system and can cause significant motor and muscle impairments. As the disease progresses, individuals with MSA may experience difficulties with balance, movement, and coordination, making it challenging to perform daily tasks.
One way to manage these symptoms and maintain motor and muscle capacity is through physical therapy. This specialized therapy focuses on improving movement, function, and overall quality of life for individuals with MSA. This document will explore how physical therapy can help individuals with MSA and the different techniques used in this treatment.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Physical therapy can be an effective mode of treatment for individuals with MSA. It aims to improve mobility, strength, and balance and helps prevent complications such as muscle contractures, bedsores, and pneumonia. Additionally, physical therapy can provide emotional support to individuals struggling with MSA’s physical limitations.
By working closely with a physical therapist, individuals with MSA can learn exercises and techniques that help maintain their motor and muscle capacity. These exercises are tailored to each individual’s specific needs and may include:
- Balance training: Individuals with MSA often experience difficulties with balance and coordination. Balance training exercises can help improve posture and stability and reduce the risk of falls.
- Gait training: As MSA progresses, individuals may have difficulties with walking or require assistance using mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs. Physical therapists can provide gait training to help individuals maintain their walking ability and use assistive devices correctly.
- Strengthening exercises: MSA can lead to muscle weakness and atrophy, making it challenging to perform daily activities. Strengthening exercises prescribed by a physical therapist can help maintain muscle mass, improve strength, and prevent further decline.
- Stretching exercises: Individuals with MSA may experience stiffness or tightness in their muscles, making movement difficult. Physical therapists can teach stretching exercises that help improve flexibility and range of motion.
- Breathing exercises: MSA can affect the muscles involved in breathing, making it challenging to cough or clear secretions from the lungs. Physical therapists can teach techniques to improve respiratory function and prevent complications such as pneumonia.
Goals of Physical Therapy in MSA
The main goal of physical therapy in MSA is to improve and maintain an individual’s ability to move, perform daily tasks, and reduce the risk of falls. Some specific objectives of physical therapy for MSA may include:
- Improving balance and coordination
- Strengthening muscles
- Enhancing flexibility and range of motion
- Reducing muscle stiffness and pain
- Addressing gait abnormalities
Other Benefits of Physical Therapy for MSA
In addition to its physical benefits, physical therapy can also positively impact an individual’s emotional and psychological well-being. Physical therapists can provide emotional support and help individuals with MSA cope with the challenges of living with a progressive disease.
Moreover, physical therapy sessions can serve as a form of social interaction for individuals with MSA who may feel isolated or lonely due to their condition. Engaging in physical activities with a therapist can improve mood and overall quality of life.
Tandem Strength & Balance
Our private pay, in-home physical therapists are skilled in customizing strength-training exercises and effectively engaging those living with debilitating diseases in the comfort of their own homes. Families have found by making a commitment to ongoing strength-building exercise their loved ones do get their “younger life back”.