Information sessions with Dr Gretchen Hawley

Spasticity – What it is and practical ways to manage spasticity 

Monday 19 June at 2pm GMT 

In this third information session by Dr Gretchen Hawley, we will be discussing what it is, how to recognise spasticity vs tightness and how you can manage its effects independently using the power of stretching. The session will last for approximately 60 minutes with time for questions at the end. 

Session outline 

  • What is the difference between tightness, spasticity and spasm? 
  • Which muscles tend to get tight/spastic? 
  • Stretching parameters 
  • Practice of different stretches 
  • Questions and answers 

Please see our MS-UK’s Choices booklet on spasms and spasticity  which provides an introduction to what spasticity is, the causes and self-management techniques

How to book 

This session is free to join if you have a monthly or yearly subscription. You do not need a subscription to join, as you can register and provide a donation for the class. The suggested amount for the class is £5. If you are unable to make a donation, please contact us to see how you can access the online classes (register@ms-uk.org). 

A recording will be made available after the class and can be viewed if you have purchased a ticket either before or after the class has taken place.  

Joining the class 

If you have purchased a ticket to join the class live, a blue button saying ‘Join class’ will appear at the bottom of the page 15 minutes before the class is due to start.  

Viewing the recording 

Shortly after the class has finished, the recording will be made available and a blue button will be visible at the bottom of the screen for everyone who purchases a ticket either in advance of the live class are after it has been held 

If you would like to know more or you are having trouble registering, please contact us at register@ms-uk.org. 

Please note we will be recording the presentation and will make it available for you to watch again. 

About Dr Hawley

Dr Hawley is a physiotherapist and Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist through the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres based in the USA.

She has a special interest in the management and wellness of MS patients and presents as the Keynote Speaker at numerous MS events including Living Well with MS events sponsored by the MS Society in addition to MS Views & News. Other collaborations include national MS organisations, including the National MS Society, MS Association of America, and MS Foundation. Additionally, Dr Gretchen shares her expertise with MS support groups, podcasts, and on her own YouTube and social media channels.

Dr Hawley developed an Online MS Wellness Program, The MSing Link, specifically geared towards helping people with MS in their own homes and uses social media to create more awareness around MS and neuroplasticity exercises that can help improve the quality of life for individuals living with MS.

Please see the feedback from our previous information sessions from Dr Hawley that included ‘Neuroplasticity and changes with exercise’ and ‘Exercise – the difference between regular and functional exercise’

Just a note to say how inspiring I found this presentation to be. Having had MS for approx 30 years. I must admit to feeling fairly sceptical that I would hear anything new. In fact, it wasn’t so much that this was all definitely new, but it was the way it was conveyed to people like me. I think it took away a continual feeling of failure and replaced it with a new mindset – Chris
A really excellent presentation. Incredibly informative and made so much sense
I thought yesterday’s presentation was fantastic. The Dr was inspiring and enlightened me to things I’ve being doing not quite right for years. I certainly took a lot away from it and thoroughly enjoyed listening – Pam
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated Gretchen’s talk on neuroplasticity this week. I had rather given up on exercise as not really helping me (I am in my 70’s) but Gretchen’s advice has motivated me to try again and try better. So, I am resuming my exercises and paying more attention to carrying them out correctly. She was spot on about the need to change one’s mindset too. I do equate walking with fatigue and difficulty and should endeavour to get out of this negative thinking cycle