Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, neurologic disease. MS affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary by individual but can include:

• walking and balance difficulties
• fatigue and weakness
• muscle stiffness or spasms
• pain and other sensory changes
• vision problems
• dizziness or vertigo
• speech and swallowing issues
• thinking and memory deficits
• urinary and sexual dysfunction

The clinical course of MS typically includes relapses (worsening of old symptoms or emergence of new symptoms) and remissions (periods when symptoms improve). Whether symptoms are mild or severe, research shows everyone with MS can benefit from rehabilitation. Therapy should begin at time of diagnosis and occur in regular bouts throughout life.

Multiple Sclerosis Care

Our experienced, caring staff provides specialized physical, occupational, and speech therapies. These therapies are available in all our practice settings, including home health, skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient rehab, ensuring continuity of care throughout the rehabilitation process. Our team includes clinicians who have been designated as Partners in Care with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Partners in care are specialty providers who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in treating people with MS.

Utilizing the latest technology, our expert therapists provide a variety of services tailored to each patient’s needs and goals.

• Physical therapy concentrates on mobility in the home and community. It addresses many impairments, such as weakness, stiffness, imbalance, and fatigue, that can challenge mobility. Physical therapists can also recommend appropriate footwear, walking devices, and braces to make mobility safer and less restricted.
• Occupational therapy focuses on everyday activities like bathing, dressing, toileting, and household chores, and the skills needed to perform these tasks, such as upper-body strength, coordination, and fine-motor skills. Occupational therapists can provide advice on adaptive equipment and energy conservation strategies to make tasks easier.
• Vestibular rehabilitation, performed by credentialed physical and occupational therapists, concentrates on reducing dizziness and vertigo.
• Speech therapy assists with speech, swallowing, thinking, and memory problems. Speech-language pathologists can improve speech intelligibility and loudness through increased breath support/control needed for communication of daily wants and needs. They may provide respiratory/breathing muscle training to increase speaking skills for everyday activities. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can also assist to increase communication through the use of technology such as a computerized speech device to improve communication in all settings.

Multiple Sclerosis Partners in Care

As a National Multiple Sclerosis Society MS Partner in Care, Allied Services offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions. This extends to exercise classes and programs designed to benefit people living with MS. At the Aronica Wellness Center at Luger Scranton Rehab Center, exercise physiologist and Fitness Manager Theresa Craig leads a variety of classes for employees, patients and community members.

In addition to group exercise classes, Theresa works one-on-one with gym members, using rehab and fitness devices such as the TheraCycle and NuStep to help them maintain their fitness, strength, mobility and balance. To learn more about these classes and maintenance programs call the Aronica Wellness Center at 570.341.3051 or click here.

At the Wilkes-Barre Rehab Center, our therapists and support staff utilize the large therapeutic pool to offer group and individual aquatic therapy programs that can be beneficial for MS patients. Learn more about aquatic therapy here or call the Allied Services Wilkes-Barre Rehab Center at 570-830-2065.

Read about the benefits of exercise for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Referrals & Insurance

Because Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease, these patients should be evaluated and treated at the time of diagnosis, but can still benefit from therapy at any stage of the disease process. However, the sooner a referral is made the better.

Insurance coverage for this program is provided by most health insurance policies.

For specific questions on how to obtain a referral, please call 570-826-3900 (Wilkes-Barre) or 570-348-1360 (Scranton). Contact us to learn more or start your referral process today.