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How PTAs Work With MS Patients

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated May 25, 2017. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
physical therapist assistant

Today is World Multiple Sclerosis Day. We thought we would commemorate that day by describing the role the Physical Therapist Assistant has in treating patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis (MS). It's the kind of work that our students in the Physical Therapist Assistant schools at 10 of our 16 Concorde campuses train for each and every day. It's the kind of fulfilling work you only get through improving the quality of life of patients under your care.

To find out more about how the Physical Therapist Assistant helps MS patients, we sought the tutelage of Veronica Nieto, Director of Concorde's Physical Therapist Assistant Program in Miramar, FL.

 

How the Physical Therapist Assistant works with MS patients

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. Sclerotic plaques from around the neurons of the brain and spinal cord resulting in decreased neural transmissions to send signals throughout the body.

The Physical Therapist Assistant commonly works with patients diagnosed with MS to restore physical function due to impairments such as muscle weakness, numbness, minor visual disturbances, and extreme fatigue. Additionally, about 80 percent of patients with MS experience pain that might affect the function and cause decreased desire to perform physical activity. Because MS involves upper motor neurons, specific functions such as spasticity, abnormal flexor, and extensor synergistic patterns and loss of autonomic control will also occur, requiring the involvement of the Physical Therapist Assistant.

Certain problems must be conquered before initiating an active movement to ensure the most positive and ideal outcomes for the MS patient during exercise. The Physical Therapist Assistant will decrease pain before exercise by putting the patient through slow static stretching and rhythmic rotation techniques. They might also utilize heat, massage, ultrasound or education to help the patient maintain function. Stress management and relaxation training also can be used to decrease pain and anxiety.

 

Other ways the Physical Therapist Assistant helps

The Physical Therapist Assistant provides instruction in exercise for MS patients for strengthening and increased aerobic endurance due to weakness from the disease. It is important to note that exercise is discouraged during periods of acute illness. But once remission is evident, PTAs can assist with resistive training that includes weights, bands or machines while incorporating patterns of movement found to be more functional.

The MS patient also will focus on functional and transitional activities that require coordination and balance. Exercises such as isometrics and rhythmic stabilization often are used to increase the patient's stability, equilibrium and balance. The Physical Therapist Assistant also can guide an MS patient in the proper use of an assistive device, such as crutches or a walker.

Based on the numerous impairments affecting physical movement that is caused by MS, physical therapy is required to decrease activity limitations and decrease participation restrictions for the patient. The Physical Therapist Assistant, who is involved in the intervention process of patient/client management, is an important part of recovery for MS patients.

 

Next Steps?

Interested in learning more about our Physical Therapist Assistant program? We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.