This session was originally scheduled to take place in March, but has been rescheduled and will now take place on Monday 22 June.
Go to our portal area to register to join the classes live or to watch the recording
Our online sessions are free to join. Donations are welcome, and the suggested contribution for this session is £7.
In this session we will be discussing what ‘functional exercise’ is and how to use this type of exercise to improve mobility and function.
Dr Gretchen Hawley will explain the difference between ‘regular’ and ‘functional’ exercise and how functional exercise can help improve function and mobility for people with MS.
Dr Hawley says “functional exercises are activity-based whereas ‘regular’ exercises are weakness based. The difference is that exercises that are weakness based will likely increase the strength of that muscle, but the renewed strength often does not result in improved function with daily activities and movements, like walking”.
Functional exercises break down a specific activity that is challenging and strengthens the body in a specific way that will make that activity easier. For example, if someone has hip weakness which is making it difficult to walk, a ‘regular’ exercise may be a ‘straight leg raise’. However, a functional exercise requires the breakdown of that movement.
Continuing with this example, walking requires knee bending, toe lifting, knee lifting, balance, and weight shifting. Therefore, these five movements should be the exercises that are performed to achieve improved walking.
Replacing ‘regular exercise’ with ‘functional exercise’ can make a world of a difference for those with multiple sclerosis. It’s often the difference between remaining at your current ability level and improving your mobility and energy!”.
The session will finish with time for question and answers from Dr Hawley.
We hope you can join us for this session. If you can’t make the session live, don’t worry as we will be recording the presentation and will make it available to watch again for all those registering in advance.
A Doctor of Physical Therapy, with years of clinical practice experience, Gretchen is a Physical Therapist 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 to MS support groups, podcasts, and on her own YouTube and social media channels.
If you would like to know more about Dr Hawley please visit our website to see Dr Hawley’s previous blog or visit Dr Hawley’s website The MSing Link
To join this session, please login or register in our Portal area. The session is free to join. Donations are welcome, and the suggested contribution for this session is £7.
A recording will be made available on the portal after the class and can be viewed if you have booked a ticket either before or after the session has taken place.
If you would like to know more or you are having trouble registering, please contact us at register@ms-uk.org.
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