Times you may not be able to exercise
There may be times because of your MS when you do not feel able to exercise, or when it would be wise to do less than usual. Remember that there may also be reasons quite separate from your MS that stop you from exercising; for example, if you catch a cold. It is often a good idea to rest and recover from an illness rather than push yourself too hard.
Relapses
If you experience a relapse you should not try to carry on exercising until after symptoms have ‘levelled out’ and you have completed any steroid treatment. A physiotherapist can help with getting you back into a routine as you recover from the relapse – a process known as ‘rehabilitation’.Fluctuating symptoms
The symptoms of MS can change from day to day as well as over longer periods of time. If you notice any symptoms changing, or new symptoms appear, you may need to adjust how much you do. For example, if you have a week or two where fatigue is worse than normal, you may decide to rest a little more and exercise a little less – to conserve energy for other tasks. If this goes on for longer, a physiotherapist might suggest new ways to exercise so you can stay fit despite the fatigue.Start again slowly
Whatever your reasons for taking a break from exercise, remember to start again slowly. If you need to, set yourself lower targets to begin with and build up gradually to a level you can manage realistically.Back to Exercise and physiotherapy contents page
