Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition affecting the central nervous system. It occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks the protective insulation known as myelin that surrounds nerves causing a scar or lesion. This disrupts the communication occurring from your brain and spinal cord. The exact cause of MS is unknown, and it is difficult to predict the disease course as the condition can vary significantly from person to person. Symptoms of MS may include; sensation changes such as numbness, reduced balance, weakness, muscle spasms, and incoordination. It can also cause vestibular or dizzy symptoms, heat sensitivity, visual changes, speech and swallow difficulties and variety of neuropsychological symptoms including depression, cognitive difficulty, and memory loss. Whilst there is no cure for MS, there are several treatment options available to help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of disease progression or relapse. Physiotherapy can help you develop strategies to manage your symptoms, improve your mobility and be as independent as possible.  

What We Offer 

At The Neurological Rehabilitation Group our therapists are skilled in assessing, managing, and treating patients with MS. We can help maximise your function and improve your quality of life through tailored treatment plans directed towards your goals. Our therapists are trained in analysing movement patterns, strength, sensation, spasticity, and coordination.  It is important to establish what your symptoms are to help you address and manage them. Where appropriate, your functional abilities including balance, standing, transfers, sitting posture, walking, or running, will be assessed. The results of these assessments allow us to work with you in formulating a set of goals which inform our therapy sessions.  

Our therapists at the Neurological Rehabilitation Group are experienced in managing MS patients at any level of function. We can provide individualised treatment which may include: 

• Education to promote a greater understanding of managing your symptoms and fluctuations including how to exercise safely within heat sensitivity and fatigue limits 

• Providing you with an exercise program to be completed at home or your local gym 

• Developing tailored therapy sessions including strength and cardiovascular training in clinic using our wide range of equipment  

• Balance retraining to help reduce your trips, or help develop a strategy for you to get off the floor in the event of a fall  

• Specific Group exercise classes led by physiotherapists or exercise physiologists, encompassing strength training, cardiovascular training, and balance training 

• Carer training and education to facilitate skill practice at home and identification of barriers to implementation  

• Review and prescribe wheelchair, seating systems or equipment (for more information see our posture and seating clinic)  

• Advice and treatment regarding spasticity management (see our spasticity clinic for more information) 

• Equipment recommendations including orthoses or gait aids which may require referral to your local or our specialty orthotic clinic  

• Hydrotherapy at off-site locations 

• Specialists' gym programs within your local community with one of our exercise physiologists  

Our team can liaise or refer you to other health professionals involved in your care including medical team, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, exercise physiologist, social workers, psychologists, orthotists, and dietitians. As well as liaise with your appropriate funding bodies to support your needs. 

For more information or support 

• Multiple Sclerosis Australia https://www.msaustralia.org.au/  

• Multiple Sclerosis International Federation https://www.msif.org/