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Muscle Weakness and Loss of Movement Due to Multiple Sclerosis

Muscle Weakness and MS

mobility can lead to falls and the loss of independence. It may also impact your health — slowing your metabolism, putting extra pressure on your joints and affecting your balance. But there’s much you can do to prevent weakness from taking a toll on your health and to reverse its effects.

Causes of Muscle Weakness in MS

The first step in managing weakness effectively is figuring out what is causing it. There are 2 possible causes:
  • If symptoms of MS — such as fatigue, pain and imbalance — cause you to reduce your overall activity level, your muscles may become weak due to lack of use.
  • Damage to the nerve fibers in the spinal cord and brain that stimulate muscles can also cause weakness. If your muscles no longer receive the nerve impulses they need to work effectively, your endurance will decrease. 
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Feeling weak is common with multiple sclerosis, particularly during relapses. Muscle weakness can occur in any part of the body. You may feel the disease has not allowed you to maintain your usual activity level and your muscles have lost strength or you tire quickly. A decline in physical function and mobility can lead to falls and the loss of independence. It may also impact your health — slowing your metabolism, putting extra pressure on your joints and affecting your balance. But there’s much you can do to prevent weakness from taking a toll on your health and to reverse its effects.

Causes of Muscle Weakness in MS

The first step in managing weakness effectively is figuring out what is causing it. There are 2 possible causes:
  • If symptoms of MS — such as fatigue, pain and imbalance — cause you to reduce your overall activity level, your muscles may become weak due to lack of use.
  • Damage to the nerve fibers in the spinal cord and brain that stimulate muscles can also cause weakness. If your muscles no longer receive the nerve impulses they need to work effectively, your endurance will decrease. 
Ask an MS Expert: Exercise Interventions in MS

Exercise to Preserve Muscle Function