What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and is the most common disabling neurological disease in young adults.
Multiple sclerosis is widely believed to be an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks components of your body as if they're foreign.
In MS the body's immune system causes gradual destruction of the myelin sheath (a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord).
The name MS refers to the multiple scars (or scleroses) on the myelin sheaths. This scarring causes symptoms which vary widely depending upon which nerves are damaged and the subsequent signals that are interrupted. It is likely that this process is initiated by interplay between as yet unidentified environmental factors and genetic factors.
MS affects twice as many women as it does men and presents a lifetime risk of one in 400. 80% of patients present with relapsing/remitting disease and, typically, the condition passes through phases of relapse with full recovery, relapse with persistent deficit, and secondary progression.
Bambach understands the problems associated with Multiple Sclerosis
- Tremor (unintentional rhythmic muscle movement, usually in the hands)
- Decreased co-ordination and balance causing an unsteady gait
- Muscle weakness in one or more limbs
- Muscle spasticity
- Temperature sensitivity and exercise intolerance
- Fatigue and dizziness
Focus on pelvic control maintains an upright stable pelvis in its neutral position. In this position the spine, shoulder girdle, trunk, head and neck can function in their most stable position.