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International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations

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Physiotherapy and Mobility

Everyday tasks such as getting up in the morning, walking, and climbing stairs are often taken for granted. As ALS/MND progresses, a person’s mobility may be affected. People living with ALS/MND can find support for mobility and movement via their physiotherapist.

The effects of ALS/MND on a person’s mobility can vary depending on the individual. Muscle weakness, muscle cramping, paralysis in certain muscles, loss of range in motion and flexibility, or muscle spasticity are common reasons mobility is affected.

A physiotherapist, individually or alongside the occupational therapist and orthotist, helps support mobility and movement for people living with ALS/MND. Their role can include providing exercises to maintain and support the regular movement. In addition, they can offer suggestions to posture and activities to encourage mobility and work with people with ALS/MND to navigate the many technical devices and equipment available to them.

There are equipment and devices to support mobility for people living with ALS/MND. People with ALS/MND have a range of options for equipment, such as canes and walking sticks, orthotic devices, walkers/rollators and wheelchairs. The physiotherapist can help people narrow down the best options for their individual needs.

For more information on the physiotherapist’s role and support for mobility with ALS/MND, refer to the resources provided below.

Click on the icon below to visit our playlist of videos related to Physiotherapy and Mobility.

The following are resources from Members of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations on the topic of Physiotherapy and Mobility.

What Does the Physiotherapist Do?

The physiotherapist’s role for people living with ALS/MND is explained in this short resource provided by the ALS Centrum Nederlands. This resource discusses the areas in which a physiotherapist can give aid and support. The ALS Centrum Nederlands also offers additional links to learn more about equipment that a physiotherapist may recommend.

https://www.als-centrum.nl/kennisplatform/wat-doet-de-fysiotherapeut/

Language: Dutch, English
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapy, Physiotherapist, Mobility, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Physiotherapy in ALS

The ALS Lige Belgium created a thorough guide for people living with ALS/MND and their caregivers. The guide outlines the overarching goals of physiotherapy for people living with ALS/MND. This booklet also contains diagrams and directions for common exercises or activities from physiotherapy for people with ALS/MND. Additionally, this guide provides information on tools and resources that people living with ALS/MND can use to support mobility and daily activities.

https://als.be/sites/default/files/uploads/Physiotherapy_pALS_-_Manual_physiotherapists.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Physiotherapy, Mobility, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Physiotherapy and Exercise with MND

The MND Association (MNDA) provides this detailed resource on physiotherapy and its benefits for people living with ALS/MND. This resource answers frequently asked questions about the physiotherapist’s role and the general structure and format of appointments. Additionally, exercise types and treatments are also discussed.

https://www.mndassociation.org/app/uploads/2015/06/6A-Physiotherapy-1.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Physiotherapy, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapist, Mobility, For People with ALS/MND

Muscle Weakness with MND

The MND Association (MNDA) focuses on muscle weakness in this guide for people living with ALS/MND. This resource explains the process of weakening muscles with ALS/MND, strategies to help with these changes, and the available equipment to people as the disease progresses.

https://www.mndassociation.org/professionals/management-of-mnd/management-by-symptoms/muscle-weakness/

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Physiotherapy, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, For People with ALS/MND

Mobility and Movement

This resource page is provided by the MND Association (MNDA). It discusses some of the aspects of mobility for people living with ALS/MND. Topics covered in this resource include the multidisciplinary healthcare team that may assist with mobility and movement for people living with ALS/MND. This resource also discusses the equipment for mobility and movement, potential home improvements, and changes with driving.

https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/living-with-mnd/mobility-and-movement/

Language: English
Subject Areas: Occupational Therapist, Daily Living, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Mobility and ALS

This factsheet describing how mobility may be affected by ALS/MND is provided for people living with ALS/MND by The ALS Association (ALSA). The expected changes in mobility alongside the multidisciplinary healthcare team that can aid with these changes are discussed.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/resources/fyi-mobility-and-als

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapy, For People with ALS/MND

Functioning When Mobility is Affected by ALS

This extensive guide is provided by The ALS Association (ALSA) and details many aspects of mobility and daily living for people living with ALS/MND. It introduces the multidisciplinary healthcare team and describes their role. This guide also provides tips, strategies, and exercises to support mobility for people living with ALS/MND. Information on available equipment and home adaptations is also offered.

https://www.als.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/lwals_07_2017.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Mobility, Daily Living, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Orthotic Devices with ALS/MND

This guide provided by The ALS Association (ALSA) discusses the multidisciplinary healthcare team that can support people living with ALS/MND in exploring and deciding on the right orthotic devices for them. Certain devices that people living with ALS/MND can use are also discussed.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/resources/fyi-orthotic-devices

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

ALS & Mobility

We created this guide to help you navigate changes that may occur due to ALS. In this guide you will find information on durable medical equipment (DME). This equipment will allow you to get around your home and out in the community. This guide is just a general place to start. If you have any questions, please contact your ALS care team.

https://lesturnerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mobility-Guide-Final.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Care and Support Guides and Manuals, Equipment, Communications and Assistive Technology, For Clinicians, For Families and Caregivers

ALS & Home Modifications

Whether adding a ramp, remodelling, or moving, information about what features are useful and practical is important, especially as adding unnecessary or poorly designed elements add costs to a budget. Your ALS care team can provide you with resources and help brainstorm cost effective ways to modify your home. While no two people with ALS are alike or will progress the same way, there is a great deal of collective knowledge and wisdom available from your ALS care team, people living with ALS and caregivers. Our intention is to provide you with information that you need today and tomorrow.

https://lesturnerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Home-Modifications-Guide-Final.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Care and Support Guides and Manuals, Equipment, Communications and Assistive Technology, For Clinicians, For Families and Caregivers

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Care services

  • Genetic Counselling & Testing
  • Mental Health Support
  • Nursing and Symptom Management
  • Nutrition and Swallowing
  • Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living
  • Physiotherapy and Mobility
  • Respiratory Care
  • Speech Therapy and Communication
  • Support for Family & Caregivers
  • Technology

  • Emilienne Verhaegen, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2014

    Emilienne Verhaegen, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2014

  • Juvenal Bayona Romero

    Juvenal Bayona Romero

  • Gudjon Sigurdsson, Diagnosed 2004 , MND Association of Iceland

    Gudjon Sigurdsson, Diagnosed 2004 , MND Association of Iceland

  • Daniel Hare

    Daniel Hare

  • Feng Gin Sun, Diagnosed 2014 , Shaanxi ALS Association, China

    Feng Gin Sun, Diagnosed 2014 , Shaanxi ALS Association, China

  • Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

    Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

  • Monica Soriano, Diagnosed 2011 ,  Asociación ELA , Argentina

    Monica Soriano, Diagnosed 2011 , Asociación ELA , Argentina

  • Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 , Prize4Life, Israel

    Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 , Prize4Life, Israel

  • Margreth Burger-Saile, Diagnosed 2011,  ALS Schweiz,  Switzerland

    Margreth Burger-Saile, Diagnosed 2011, ALS Schweiz, Switzerland

  • Brian Parsons

    Brian Parsons

  • Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001,  ALS Netherlands

    Conny van der Meijden, Diagnosed 2001, ALS Netherlands

  • Ali Var, Turkey

    Ali Var, Turkey

  • Elkin Ramiro Gaviria Muñoz, Diagnosed December 2018

    Elkin Ramiro Gaviria Muñoz, Diagnosed December 2018

  • Marco Antonio Alvarez Mercado, Mexico

    Marco Antonio Alvarez Mercado, Mexico

  • Timmy, ALS Liga

    Timmy, ALS Liga

  • Len Johnrose,  MND Association,  Diagnosed 2017,  England

    Len Johnrose, MND Association, Diagnosed 2017, England

  • Carlos Alberto Arango, Colombia

    Carlos Alberto Arango, Colombia

  • Ismail Gokcek, Turkey

    Ismail Gokcek, Turkey
    ismail_gokcek_alsmnd_tr

  • Shay Rishoni

    Shay Rishoni

  • Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

    Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

  • Ailsa Malcolm-Hutton, Diagnosed 2013,  MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

    Ailsa Malcolm-Hutton, Diagnosed 2013, MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

  • Dorette Lüdi, Diagnosed 2014 , ALS Schweiz, Switzerland

    Dorette Lüdi, Diagnosed 2014 , ALS Schweiz, Switzerland

  • Teddy Hanono Annie, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

    Teddy Hanono Annie, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

  • Camilla Heiberg Freiberg, Muskelsvindfonden, Denmark

    Camilla Heiberg Freiberg, Muskelsvindfonden, Denmark

  • Norm MacIsaac,  ALS Society of Canada,  ALS Society of Quebec,  Diagnosed 2014

    Norm MacIsaac, ALS Society of Canada, ALS Society of Quebec, Diagnosed 2014

  • Zabun Nassar, MND Association, Diagnosed 2016, England

    Zabun Nassar, MND Association, Diagnosed 2016, England

  • IMG_2658

    IMG_2658

  • Chun Ju Xiao, China

    Chun Ju Xiao, China

  • Claudia Cominetti, Associazione conSLAncio Onlus,  Italy

    Claudia Cominetti, Associazione conSLAncio Onlus, Italy

  • Fabio Carvalho

    Fabio Carvalho

  • Graham Johnson, MND Australia

    Graham Johnson, MND Australia

  • Mauril Belanger

    Mauril Belanger

  • Cassio Fernando da Silva, Diagnosed 2013 , ABrELA, Brazil

    Cassio Fernando da Silva, Diagnosed 2013 , ABrELA, Brazil

  • Ana Lilia RodriguezApoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

    Ana Lilia RodriguezApoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

  • Eddy LeFrançois, Diagnosed 1992,  ALS Canada

    Eddy LeFrançois, Diagnosed 1992, ALS Canada

  • Kris Van Reusel, Belgium

    Kris Van Reusel, Belgium

  • Duncan Bayly , MND Australia

    Duncan Bayly , MND Australia

  • Steven Spencer, Diagnosed 2014 , MND New Zealand

    Steven Spencer, Diagnosed 2014 , MND New Zealand

  • Imelda Arenas, ACELA, Colombia

    Imelda Arenas, ACELA, Colombia

  • Oliver Juenke, Germany

    Oliver Juenke, Germany

  • Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 - Prize4Life, Israel

    Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 – Prize4Life, Israel

  • Timothy Holman, Switzerland

    Timothy Holman, Switzerland

  • Liong Ting Ngu, MND Malaysia, Diagnosed 2014

    Liong Ting Ngu, MND Malaysia, Diagnosed 2014

  • Leon Ryba, Argentina

    Leon Ryba, Argentina

  • Lachlan Terry,  MND Australia,  Diagnosed 2015

    Lachlan Terry, MND Australia, Diagnosed 2015

  • Elisabeth Zahnd, Switzerland

    Elisabeth Zahnd, Switzerland

  • Diana Fernandez, Diagnosed 2009 , Asociación ELA Argentina

    Diana Fernandez, Diagnosed 2009 , Asociación ELA Argentina

  • Soledad Rodriguez, FUNDELA, Diagnosed 2013, Spain

    Soledad Rodriguez, FUNDELA, Diagnosed 2013, Spain

  • David Bishop

    David Bishop

  • Alberto Baez Murillo, Colombia

    Alberto Baez Murillo, Colombia

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