Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that targets the central nervous system and is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 50. People diagnosed with MS often experience activity and physical impairment, as a result of the progression of the disease. For anyone who is actively diagnosed with MS, rehabilitation is a necessary component to combat everyday challenges. Although there are numerous factors to consider when choosing the best rehabilitation pathway for a patient, the route of occupational therapy (OT) has shown to be extremely effective. This is especially true if the OT you are working with is a certified MS specialist. The treatment focuses on functional restoration and increases independence for people diagnosed with MS.
Introducing MS Occupational Therapy
Multiple Sclerosis occupational therapy provides critical support to people diagnosed with MS. They are healthcare professionals who aid with self-care activities, productive activities, fine motor abilities, and leisure activities. Throughout the initial discovery period, MS occupational therapists work with patients and their families to find solutions to ease daily challenges. Once a patient has been properly evaluated, an MS occupational therapist tailors an intervention strategy. The skilled intervention focuses on removing or reducing personal challenges to enable the patient to participate effectively in daily tasks and occupations.
In an effort to maintain functional abilities, intervention works with the patient’s level of abilities and disabilities. Throughout the duration of the patient’s disease, the intervention strategy evolves, dependent on three specific factors.
1. Personal Factors: These factors are dependent on the patient’s current symptoms and disease progression. They include pain, fatigue, cognitive capabilities, psychological and emotional health, and more.
2. Environmental Factors: These factors are based on what’s surrounding the patient and what is available to them, outside of their control. They could include but are not limited to, social support, cultural values, socioeconomic status, and use of technological accessibilities.
3. Occupational Factors: These factors are determined by the patient’s current occupational expectations. The physical demands of a task are taken into consideration, as well as temporal aspects of the activity or flexibility of sequences.
MS Physical vs. Occupational Therapy
As you search for ways to support your family member or yourself with MS symptoms, you may learn about MS physical therapy. Although MS physical therapy and MS occupational therapy both help people with MS, there are distinct differences.
MS physical therapy has its roots in physical rehabilitation, while MS occupational therapy was founded in mental healthcare and physical rehabilitation. MS physical therapists specialize in movement and work with patients to tailor personalized exercise, hands-on care, and education. Overall, a major difference between MS physical therapy and occupational therapy is that MS physical therapy focuses on improving the patient’s ability to move their body. In contrast, MS occupational therapy focuses on improving and maintaining the patient’s ability to perform daily activities.
To help patients improve their day-to-day abilities, MS occupational therapists work with patients on their fine motor skills. MS physical therapists do not approach care in the same way. MS occupational therapists instead assess a patient’s hand coordination and dexterity and provide fine motor training to improve hand and muscle strength.
MS Occupational Therapy Benefits
The benefits of occupational therapy for MS have life-changing benefits. In an effort to help stabilize and make a patient’s daily life easier, MS occupational therapists provide compassionate care that produces advantages that include:
- Energy Conservation: It’s important for a patient to take time for rest. MS occupational therapists teach their patients how to use their energy beneficially and efficiently. They give resources, tools, and techniques that simplify tasks and reduce stress.
- Fall Prevention: Patients diagnosed with MS may feel off-balanced and experience more falls. MS occupational therapists teach exercises on a range of motion, coordination, or physical strength to decrease fall frequency.
- Routine Assistance: As an MS patient, daily activities such as tying shoes or opening a box can become difficult. MS occupational therapists help with these daily activities and identify ways to create a more functional and safe environment for the patient. An occupational therapist may even recommend special equipment or assistive devices to aid with home, work, or school life.
- Dexterity Improvement: Patients struggling with MS may frequently feel unable to perform tasks with their hands. MS occupational therapists work with patients on fine motor skills by providing exercises that improve dexterity. These hand exercises improve and preserve dexterity throughout both hands, as well as improve strength in the larger muscles throughout your lower and upper arms.
- Education: MS occupational therapists equip patients with constructive knowledge regarding their disease. Patients are given insight and instruction that helps guide their treatment decisions and supports their current lifestyle.
810 MS Specialty Center Is Here For You
Since 2005, 810 MS Specialty Center has maintained the belief that every MS patient should receive the finest treatment and care. Our therapists develop customized MS occupational therapy treatment plans, based on your individual needs. Together, we will work on strength, balance, coordination, and functional activities to help you regain independence and dexterity.
Should you find yourself or a family member struggling with activity living or experiencing fine motor issues and would like more information on available treatment, please reach out. Contact us today at info@810mscenter.com to get started.