It is not always easy to find the time, but exercising regularly will keep your body working to its full potential. To make it easier, it is important to find exercise that suits you – something you enjoy and find worthwhile.

Physiotherapy can also be particularly useful, to help you find exercises that meet your specific needs and abilities. A physiotherapist may suggest exercises that concentrate on a particular area of the body that you wish to improve, or help you manage a specific effect of your MS.

However MS affects you, appropriate exercise can make a difference to managing and living with the condition.

» The benefits of exercise

• Will it make my MS worse?
•  What are the benefits to health and my MS?
• Muscle strength and fitness
  
• Weight gain or loss
• Osteoporosis

» Types of exercise

• Strengthening exercises
• Aerobic exercises
• Stretching
• Range-of-motion
• Passive stretching
• Posture

» Exercise for all

• What activities can I try?

» Water-based exercise

• What are the benefits of water based exercise?

» Are there precautions I need to take because of my MS?

• Speak to your GP
• Start slowly with any new regime
• Warm up and cool down
• Adapting to MS symptoms

» Exercise and heat sensitivity

• What is heat sensitivity?
• What can I do to manage heat sensitivity?
• Can I apply ice directly to the skin?

» The benefits of physiotherapy

• How can a physiotherapist help?
• Sports equipment and aids
• Whole body vibration

» How do I get physiotherapy?

• How often can I see a physiotherapist?
• Can I get physiotherapy at home?
• Can I pay privately for physiotherapy?

» Exercises for specific MS symptoms

• Fatigue
• Balance and walking difficulties
• Muscle spasms and stiffness
• Bladder and bowel problems
• Low mood, anxiety and depression

» How can I fit exercise into my life?

• Regular exercise
• When are the best times for me to exercise?
• What motivates me?
• Is there good access to the facilities I need?
• What are the costs?
• What if my symptoms change?

» Times you may not be able to exercise

• Relapses
• Fluctuating symptoms
• Start again slowly

» Exercise for those more severely affected by MS

• Passive stretching and range-of-motion
• Strength and posture
• Finding exercise in everyday activities