Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation
While there is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms and improve your function and mobility. Physiatrists (rehabilitation medicine physicians) and other rehabilitation specialists are vital members of the healthcare teams at the Columbia University Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care & Research Center and at the Judith Jaffe Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care & Research Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Their goal is to help you achieve the highest level of function and independence possible, while improving your overall quality of life—physically, emotionally, and socially.
Your MS rehabilitation team
Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation is available at NewYork-Presbyterian for people with MS. Your rehabilitation team includes physiatrists, neurologists, internists, and other doctors who coordinate your care with physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, recreation therapists, and others devoted to enhancing your mobility, comfort, communication, and independence. Your team works together to customize a rehabilitation plan that meets your personal needs.
Rehabilitation services for MS
You may find that combining MS medications with exercise and/or lifestyle modifications is the best way to manage your symptoms and maximize your independence. Our MS rehabilitation teams can help you to:
- Improve your strength, endurance, cognition, control, mobility, balance, and posture.
- Treat MS-related spasticity using medication, exercise, botulinum toxin (Botox), or intrathecal baclofen.
- Assess and treat vestibular (dizziness) and visual problems.
- Provide education to help you manage fatigue and pain.
- Address speech and swallowing problems.
- Manage bowel and bladder control.
- Maintain your motor skills and activities of daily living to enhance your home and work life.
- Help you obtain and learn to use assistive devices such as a cane, brace, walker, or wheelchair.
- Guide the adaptation of your home environment for ease of function, safety, accessibility, and mobility.
Your team also provides education for your family members and caregivers to support your life with MS.
Robotic therapy for MS rehabilitation
Robotic devices are an innovative way to provide exercise therapy for people experiencing partial paralysis due to multiple sclerosis or other neurological conditions. Columbia University is a leading center in the development and evaluation of new robotic devices. The team of engineers, physicians, and physical and occupational therapists in the Center for Robotic Rehabilitation works with our patients to find the most effective robotic treatments. We offer robotic therapy with several innovative devices to improve strength and function in the hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder in people with neurological disorders.