Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. MS is a disease that has no cure, but patients can take steps to keep their bodies healthy and strong.

Exercise is one way that MS patients can manage their symptoms and maintain overall health. In this article, we will provide 30 exercises that MS patients can incorporate into their daily routine.

Strength Training

Strength training exercises help to build and maintain muscle mass. For MS patients, these exercises can help with balance and mobility. Here are five strength training exercises for MS patients:.

1) Squats

Begin with your feet hip-width apart, legs and feet parallel to each other. Lower your body as if you are sitting in a chair, keeping your back straight and your knees above your ankles. Rise up slowly, pushing through your heels.

2) Lunges

Step one foot forward and lower your body until your back knee is a few inches from the floor. Push through your front heel to rise back up. Repeat on the other side.

3) Wall Push-Ups

Stand facing a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place your palms on the wall at shoulder height. Lean forward until your nose touches the wall, then push back up.

4) Leg Presses

Sit on a leg press machine with your feet on the platform. Push the platform away from you with your legs until they are straight, then slowly bring them back in.

5) Bicep Curls

Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your arms at your sides. Bring the dumbbells up to your shoulders, then slowly lower them back down.

Balance and Coordination Exercises

MS patients often experience balance and coordination issues. These exercises can help to improve those symptoms:.

6) Single Leg Stance

Stand on one foot for 30 seconds, then switch to the other foot. Repeat 5-10 times on each foot.

7) Tandem Walking

Walk heel to toe in a straight line, placing the heel of your front foot directly in front of the toes of your back foot. Walk this way for 10-15 steps, then turn and walk back the other way.

8) Standing Leg Swings

Stand on one foot and swing your other leg back and forth in a pendulum motion. Repeat on the other foot.

9) Balancing Exercises on a BOSU Ball

Stand on a BOSU ball with one foot, lifting your other foot off the ground. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch feet. Repeat 5-10 times on each foot.

10) One-Legged Squats

Stand on one leg and squat down as far as you can, then rise back up. Repeat on the other leg.

Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise gets your heart rate up and improves cardiovascular health. These exercises are great for MS patients:.

11) Swimming

Swimming is a low-impact exercise that can help with strength, balance, and coordination.

12) Cycling

Cycling is another low-impact exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and leg strength. MS patients may want to use a stationary bike for safety.

13) Rowing Machine

The rowing machine works the entire body and is a great way to improve cardiovascular health and strength.

14) Walking

Walking is a low-impact exercise that can be done almost anywhere. MS patients may want to use a cane or walking stick for safety.

15) Dancing

Dancing is a fun way to get aerobic exercise and improve balance and coordination.

Related Article MS-Friendly Activities and Workouts

Yoga and Stretching

Yoga and stretching exercises can be helpful for MS patients to improve flexibility and reduce stress:.

16) Cat-Cow Stretch

Get on your hands and knees, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Arch your back up like a cat, then lower it down to a cow position. Repeat 5-10 times.

17) Downward Dog

From the cat position, lift your hips up toward the ceiling to form an upside-down V shape with your body. Hold for 30 seconds, then slowly lower back down to the cat position.

18) Seated Forward Bend

Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Reach forward and try to touch your toes. Hold for 30 seconds.

19) Warrior I

Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart. Turn your left foot out to a 45-degree angle and your right foot out to a 90-degree angle. Raise your arms up toward the ceiling and look up at your hands. Hold for 10-15 seconds, then switch sides.

20) Child’s Pose

Sit on your heels and reach your arms out in front of you. Lower your head to the floor and hold for 30 seconds.

Balance Ball Exercises

Using a balance ball can help MS patients with balance and strength. Here are five exercises to try:.

21) Planks

Rest your forearms on the ball and your toes on the ground. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then rest.

22) Sit-Ups

Sit on the ball with your feet on the floor. Lean back until your upper body is almost parallel to the ground, then lift yourself back up to a sitting position.

23) Leg Lifts

Lie on your back with your feet on the ball. Lift your hips off the ground and roll the ball toward your body with your feet. Roll the ball back out to the starting position and lower your hips back down.

24) Squats

Stand with the ball against a wall and your back against the ball. Lower your body into a squat, keeping your back against the ball. Rise back up to the starting position.

25) Push-Ups

Place your hands on the ball with your feet on the ground in a push-up position. Lower your body down to the ball, then push back up.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that consists of slow, flowing movements. These movements can help MS patients with balance and coordination. Here are five Tai Chi movements to try:.

26) Cloud Hands

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Bring one arm up in front of you and one arm down to your side. Switch arms and repeat the movement.

27) Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail

Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Bring your arms up in front of you and push them out to the sides, as if you are pushing something away.

28) Brush Knee and Twist Step

Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Step forward with one foot and lift your opposite arm up in front of you. Twist your body and place your front foot back to the starting position.

29) Repulse Monkey

Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Step forward with one foot and bring your opposite arm up in a circular motion. Twist your body and bring your back foot forward.

30) Fair Lady Weaves the Shuttle

Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your sides. Step forward with one foot and bring your opposite arm up in front of you. Twist your body and bring your back foot forward, crossing it behind your front foot.

Repeat on the other side.