Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease, and by its nature, it interrupts or disrupts nerve signals, which leads to several disabling symptoms. One of the most commonly experienced symptoms is muscle weakness, besides muscle fatigue and general fatigue.

Fatigue is something that is treated best by medication, which includes Modafinil, Pemoline, Amantadine and Methylphenidate. However, these drugs have proved to be effective for some, but less effective for others – multiple sclerosis is experienced differently by each individual.

When it comes to muscle fatigue and muscle weakness, these are results of the demyelinating process that occurs in MS. However, since these symptoms are of neurological nature, the muscles themselves are not affected – the nervous signals sent to them are the problem.

MS sufferers are feeling that muscle weakness and muscle fatigue is a very disabling symptom of their disease, as they are unable to be as active as they once were. Also, most people fear that they are going to end up in a wheelchair unable to tend for themselves. This is somewhat justified, as the disease invariably progresses to that point – but the progression is different in each individual and each individual is free to do as much as possible to slow down this progression.

One of the best ways to keep an MS sufferer’s muscles fit, is though physical exercise. All doctors who are knowledgeable about MS recommend their patients to be as active as possible, even if at times this seems as an impossible task. However, this is where training comes into play.

It is very important for MS patients to have an exercise routine. However, due to the nature of the disease, there will be exercises that can cause problems. Things chance once they are diagnosed with MS, and this is why their exercise routine needs to be adapted to fit their needs.  This is why, the exercise routine must be set with the help of a trainer that’s MS knowledgeable, and who has a clear view over the patient’s symptoms, overall health and level of physical fitness.

If today, when it comes to training, most people think that the “no pain, no gain” rule works best, pain is already present due to MS, so causing more pain isn’t something that everybody in their right mind would want.  However, in order to keep their muscles fit, a certain level of pain must be endured, because, as it has already been said, the muscles are not weak, the signals sent to them are.

So, what exercise should an MS sufferer do, and how would a training plan look like?

The answer isn’t easy, as it depends entirely on the individual. Some might find it easier to swim, while other to jog, other to do aerobics, other to lift weights, and others to do cardio. The best thing that an MS sufferer can do, is to keep a good relationship with a healthcare specialist and to be in touch with a good trainer that can help them find the best training program for their condition.