Physical Therapy For ALS: How Can It Help?

When someone has been diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gherig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), if you are their caregiver, you probably have a lot of questions. How quickly will my loved one progress? How can I help them? And most importantly, what treatment options are available? 

While the diagnosis is inevitably life-changing, there are some treatment options for it that can improve their quality of life and help them move better. One of these options is physical therapy. Our physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy are experts in the science of movement, and they want to help your loved one move better. Even if you choose physical therapy elsewhere, we still want to educate you on physical therapy as a treatment option for ALS. 

This article offers advice for caregivers by discussing how ALS affects movement, and how physical therapy can help. With this information, you can take the diagnosis in stride and focus on giving your patient the best possible quality of life.

How does ALS affect movement? 

ALS is a progressive disease that affects motor neurons in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. Those who have the condition will gradually lose motor control, culminating in muscles ceasing to function over time. ALS patients may lose their ability to walk, have difficulty swallowing, and find it harder to complete activities of daily living or care for themselves. 

Since ALS only affects motor neurons and not sensory neurons, most ALS patients can still sense things happening around them. But over time, some people with ALS may develop dementia-like symptoms and begin having memory problems.

How can physical therapy help? 

When you bring your loved one to physical therapy for their ALS symptoms, their therapist will focus on maximizing their quality of life and helping them accomplish as many daily tasks as they can. Helping patients maintain some amount of independence is critical to not only the progression of the disease but also to the mental health of the ALS patient. Depending on the stage of disease progression, the physical therapist will work on mobility, especially in the lower limbs, but also the upper limbs to promote accomplishing daily tasks. 

There are usually many doctors involved in caring for people with ALS, and a physical therapist may seem like just another medical professional. But the best physical therapists want to be advocates for the patient’s well-being, bringing together all the information from your care team and giving you practical steps you can take at home to promote the most independence. 

How can caregivers help? 

Now you know more about physical therapy for ALS and how it can help your loved one maintain independence for as long as possible. An ALS diagnosis is difficult news for anyone to receive since the disease can progress quickly. Caregivers carry a large burden since they are so involved in day-to-day care, especially as the disease progresses and they lose more mobility. Physical therapists work not only with the patient but with caregivers, to provide emotional support and education on how to best care for your loved one. Caregivers also have the important role of providing medical history and giving feedback on how the physical therapy is working, so it is essential that both patient and caregiver leave each session feeling heard and understood. 

While ALS is a difficult diagnosis, giving the best possible quality of life is paramount. We enjoy working with caregivers at EW Motion Therapy, because we see the love they have for the person in their care and how much they want to help. Our physical therapists will ensure that your loved one can maintain as much independence as possible and live their lives to the fullest. If you are interested in our physical therapy services, fill out the Request an Appointment form on our website, and someone from our staff will contact you within 48 hours with your next steps.