Multiple sclerosis, often abbreviated to MS, is an autoimmune condition affecting the body's central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. The neurological disease affects over 100,00 people in the UK and, though there is currently no cure, there are many ways of helping to manage the condition including the wearing of Sensory Dynamic Orthosis (SDO®) garments like those supplied by Jobskin®.
MS causes the body's immune system to attack the myelin sheath: this crucial substance, which covers and protects the nerves, helps to carry messages from the brain to the rest of the body. In addition, MS can also cause damage to the sensitive nerve fibres. The damage done to the body in this way causes scarring (known as lesions or plaques), which in turn distorts, slows down or completely stops messages from the brain reaching the rest of the body.
Depending on which part of the central nervous system has been affected, the symptoms of MS vary widely from person to person but generally include:
- A reduction in sensation
- Weakness of muscles
- High and low muscle tone
- Ataxia: difficulties with coordination and balance
- Problems with walking
- Tremors
- Musculoskeletal pain, usually caused from compensating for other symptoms by moving in different ways
There are several ways to help manage these symptoms, such as exercise, physiotherapy, medication, lifestyle adjustments and wearing SDO® garments. These are made-to-measure Lycra® garments, designed to deliver dynamic compression, increasing proprioceptive/sensory feedback and providing support to the musculoskeletal system.
SDO® garments can assist with and lead to neural integration and motor learning. The results of a number of research projects and individual case studies show that wearing such garments lead to improvements in function, attributed to stimulation of the somatosensory system. Changes in tone, realignment of posture, enhancement of learning strategies and improved biomechanical advantages for muscle activation have all been noted in MS patients who wear SDO® garments.
Browse the Jobskin® website to discover more about SDO® garments and how they can help people with MS effectively manage their symptoms.