Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is a chronic, immune-mediated disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). Muscle weakness, spasticity, fatigue and a loss of coordination can lead to a progressive worsening of mobility and impair a person’s ability to perform daily tasks.
Pilates is a form of exercise, similar to yoga, it focuses on posture, balance and flexibility. Pilates concentrates on the body’s core strength as well as on the mind-body connection. Exercises strengthen the abdomen, obliques, lower back, butt and inner and outer thighs; improving strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, coordination and balance. In Pilates the risk of injury is much lower than with other forms of exercise.
Because Pilates focuses on whole-body movement and has a lower risk of injury, researchers wanted to evaluate the effect of Pilates on walking performance in people diagnosed with MS.
The study enrolled 30 individuals with MS who were not restricted to a wheelchair or scooter and randomly assigned them to receive Pilates twice a week with massage therapy once a week, or once weekly massage therapy only. Participants in the Pilates group experienced a significant improvement in walking performance and functional ability when compared to those that received massage only. Other studies have shown regular exercise can help reduce the symptoms of MS, however, sensitivity to heat and reduced mobility can make exercise difficult. Pilates may be a viable option for individuals diagnosed with MS.
Loss of mobility is one of the most debilitating consequences of MS and can have a significant impact across all aspects of a patient’s life. Stem cell therapy at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute may help improve the symptoms of MS including the symptoms that impact mobility.
Symptoms of MS include:
- Visual disturbances
- Loss of balance
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Tremors
- Numbness
- Extreme fatigue
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Muscle spasticity
- Sensitivity to heat
The professionals at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute use autologous mesenchymal stem cells to treat the symptoms of MS. Mesenchymal stem cells can reverse the damage to nervous system and improve the symptoms of MS, resulting in an improved quality of life. Mesenchymal stem cells produce; 1. proteins that support the growth and survival of neurons, 2. angiogenic factors that are essential for the healing, growth, development, and maintenance of blood vessels, and 3. immunomodulatory substances that can reverse the damage to the nerves.2,3 For patients with multiple sclerosis this means, the stem cells repair the damaged areas of demyelination and grow new, healthy cells, preventing future damage and improving symptoms. Initial research evaluating the safety and efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation to treat patients with multiple sclerosis is promising.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and have questions about stem cell therapy, contact the Stem Cells Transplant Institute today to learn more.
Patients interested in stem cell therapy can find direct flights to Costa Rica out of; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Newark, NJ; NY, NY; Dallas, TX; and Miami, FL.
Reference:
Duff WRD, Andrushko JW, Renshaw DW, Chilibeck PD, Farthing JP, Danielson J, Evans CD. Impact of Pilates Exercise in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J MS Care. 2018 Mar-Apr;20(2):92-100. doi: 10.7224/1537-2073.2017-066.
