How massage therapy can help improve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Author:  Allana Khoury, RMT

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition that can cause a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. While there is no known cure for MS, massage therapy has shown promising results in helping you live a better quality of life. Here are 5 ways massage therapy can help you:

1. Pain relief
   MS often causes chronic pain, including muscle spasms, joint stiffness, and nerve-related discomfort. Massage therapy can help reduce your pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and by improving your blood circulation, which promotes the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas.
2. Muscle relaxation and spasticity management
   Muscle spasticity, characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and stiffness, is a common symptom in MS. Your massage therapist will be equipped with techniques that can help these muscles relax and lengthen, reducing spasticity and improving your range of motion.
3. Improved quality of sleep
   Massage therapy stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible to induce relaxation. By achieving deep relaxation through your massage, your body will be able to achieve better sleep quality and duration, reducing sleep disturbances and improving your quality of sleep. By doing so, your body’s energy levels may increase which will help you participate in your favorite activities throughout the day.
4. Improved coordination and balance
   MS can affect one’s proprioception—the body’s ability to sense its position and movement in space. Massage therapy can help you reconnect with your body, heightening your body awareness and facilitating improved coordination and balance. This will help prevent falls and injuries and allow you to complete everyday tasks more smoothly.
5. Stimulation of weakened muscles
   Many patients with MS will start losing strength in some of their muscles over time. Massage therapy can help you wake up these muscles through stimulation techniques. Depending on the stage of degeneration, stimulation techniques can often help enhance your movement and prevent the muscles from a generally faster progression of degeneration which has the potential to lead to complete immobility over time.

At Zoomers, our massage therapist is eager to help you improve your quality of life and start living the life you love! If you are looking for a massage therapist in Halifax to help you holistically improve your quality of life living with MS, book an appointment today!