Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological disease affecting nearly 2,3 million people worldwide. Known for the disability it causes, there is currently no cure. However, certain treatments and rehabilitation techniques can help alleviate the daily lives of those living with this disease. We will explore these in the rest of this article.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Defined as an autoimmune neurological disease, multiple sclerosis affects the sheath surrounding each neuron: myelin. This damage causes the various symptoms of the disease, some of which can sometimes be irreversible.
Today, multiple sclerosis primarily affects women and can develop quite early (between the ages of 25 and 35). This condition is considered the leading non-traumatic cause of disability in adults in this age group. Approximately 100,000 people in France are estimated to be affected by this disease.
Three progressive forms of multiple sclerosis are highlighted. The first is the relapsing-remitting form. This is the most frequently observed form. It is characterized by the appearance of certain attacks (flare-ups) of neurological disorders which can last approximately 24 hours or more and which are capable of causing certain after-effectsThe secondary progressive form refers to the period during which the disability of a patient suffering from multiple sclerosis gradually worsens following the relapsing-remitting phase. The primary form, on the other hand, can appear at the onset of the disease and is characterized by a progressive worsening of disability.
| Caution: It is important not to confuse attacks (flare-ups) with Uhthoff's phenomenon. The latter results from the temporary worsening of certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis, induced by an increase in body temperature (fever, intense physical exercise, high ambient temperature, etc.). |
Currently, multiple sclerosis is considered an incurable disease. As we will see later in this article, there are various treatments to try to slow its progression, but these often have significant consequences for the patient. Furthermore, physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the care of people with multiple sclerosis, and regular follow-up with a professional is often recommended.
Multiple sclerosis: what can cause this disease?
While the exact origin of multiple sclerosis is unknown, certain scientific studies (whose results are reported by Inserm) tend to highlight certain factors of genetic predisposition and environmental risks.
One hypothesis put forward by the scientific community also relies on the exposure of young children to a virus, triggering an excessive immune response. This response could then lead to inflammation and the destruction of myelin.
On the other hand, heredity is also a risk factor increasingly highlighted by scientific studies related to multiple sclerosis. Indeed, having a parent with this condition would increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis oneself. However, these elements remain hypotheses that the scientific community is still trying to prove.
What are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that manifests itself through various symptoms, such as:
- chronic fatigue;
- cognitive disorders;
- sensory disturbances (paresthesia, hypoesthesia, proprioceptive ataxia, etc.);
- motor disorders (paraparesis, etc.);
- dizziness;
- visual disturbances (retrobulbar optic neuritis, etc.);
- spasticity (reflex muscle contractions);
- incontinence;
- balance, swallowing and speech disorders, etc.
What treatments are available for multiple sclerosis?
While science has made considerable progress in the management of multiple sclerosis, we do not yet know of a treatment that would definitively cure this disease.
Since 1993, certain immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drug treatments have been able to slow the progression of the disease, but can cause serious side effects for the patient. It should be noted that these medications can only be prescribed by a neurologist.
These types of medications, particularly immunomodulators, are designed to regulate the patient's immune system by reducing inflammation and the damage its activity can cause to the myelin sheath. They can be injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The frequency of these injections varies depending on the progression of the disease and the patient's condition.
In the event of the onset of certain specific symptoms, such as spasticity, a dedicated treatment plan should be implemented. This generally involves targeted stretching exercises, focusing on specific muscles or muscle groups, particularly to minimize the risk of orthopedic deformities. If the patient appears to have balance problems, proprioceptive rehabilitation tailored to their neurological level should be offered.
The importance of rehabilitation in the treatment of multiple sclerosis
Because multiple sclerosis can significantly impact a patient's motor skills and ability to perform everyday tasks, physiotherapy rehabilitation is essential. Depending on the patient's condition, the practitioner may suggest muscle strengthening exercises, stretching, and treatments designed to manage pain during relapses.
It helps slow the progression of motor and sensory impairments, while supporting the patient in relearning everyday activities. It also addresses spasticity and pain, and in some cases, can even reduce the patient's disability. Rehabilitation also provides moral and physical support to a person with multiple sclerosis and can help them maintain their independence for as long as possible.
In the context of physiotherapy rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis, the healthcare professional may, among other things, combine sensorimotor techniques, with or without muscle strengthening, with passive mobilizations. The aim is to regulate spasticity in order to maintain motor function and prevent the onset of certain motor disorders.
Multiple sclerosis rehabilitation: what exercises can I do at home?
As part of rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis, performing exercises at home in addition to sessions with a healthcare professional can be particularly beneficial. This helps combat fatigue related to deconditioning, strengthens muscles, and reduces spasticity. Several exercises can be performed, depending on the patient's overall and neurological condition. These exercises should be recommended by healthcare professionals and tailored to the individual's specific needs and fitness level.
The Allyane method in the context of rehabilitation related to multiple sclerosis
As we have explored together in this article, spasticity and motor difficulties are common symptoms of MS. Neuromotor rehabilitation can help modulate these various effects of the disease, particularly when supported by Allyane's neuromotor reprogramming method.
Indeed, the Allyane method addresses spasticity by focusing on modulating inhibitory-excitatory systems. Furthermore, neuromotor reprogramming is based on three complementary elements: proprioceptive sensations, mental imagery exercises, and listening to low-frequency sounds emitted by a patented medical device.