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Thread: Starting Strength and Multiple Sclerosis

  1. #1
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    Oct 2017
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    Default Starting Strength and Multiple Sclerosis

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    Dear Mr Rippetoe, I recently started my Starting Strength routine using your fantastic book, thanks so very much. I have rapidly noticed a change in my general disposition and want to share your method with my brother, which I believe will help him in many ways, particularly in regaining his mental poise and determination to carry on with life

    You see, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a couple of years ago and it has been a terrible burden on his mind and body. He was always athletic and still runs and swims a lot but his loss of feeling in the body and constant fear of degenerating into a wheelchair, coupled with some hard mental hits he took this year (we lost our father in January and my bro was fired from 2 jobs and has been unable to find work in 6 months), has made him very fragile. I just donīt think endurance excercise is doing the trick.

    I just want to find a way to make him strong again so he can tackle life head on, and I just know that the feeling of physical power will do wonders for him but I have no facts.

    I donīt even know if SS is recommended for people with MS, what adjustments to make, precautions to take or even if there is a medical basis for reversing Multiple Sclerosis with Barbell training. Maybe Iīm reaching too far but I just wanted to ask you if you could share your knowledge and experience please. Even if its just to point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful.

    best regards

  2. #2
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    Strength training is the most productive approach to exercise for people with MS. We'll ask the board for their experiences.

  3. #3
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    Had a client with MS for a number of years. Ran an LP with him and some basic intermediate programming. For the most part he adapted like a normal person would except on his "bad days" we just couldn't train like normal. At best we'd just go light and easy as he had a hard time with balance and control of the eccentric phase. Too dangerous to do anything heavy. On his really bad days we did no Squats, Presses, or Deadlifts. Too many balance and control issues. Machines are helpful in this instance. Still get some training effect without the balance issues. Still had to go light though. My hip pocket workout for him on bad days was something like Leg Presses, Bench Presses, Lat Pulls or Seated Rows, 45 degree back extensions. On good days we did all of the major lifts hard and heavy including power cleans and power snatches. Best thing in the world for him.

  4. #4
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    My experience has been that excessive volume is a terribly bad idea for these people. The "lowest effective dose" concept becomes very important here.

  5. #5
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    Sep 2015
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    Agree SS is a great thing for MS patients. Obviously be careful if they come with pre-existing physical deficits such as poor balance, motor control, neurologically weak limbs, etc. I'd say volume itself shouldn't be feared, but depending on their disease burden, they may have the Uhthoff's phenomenon. That means symptoms from a previous MS attack can temporarily return if they get too hot. By that I mean the symptoms are temperature dependent, so resting between sets may need to be longer and the work out area should be cool enough.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by dfclark68 View Post
    Agree SS is a great thing for MS patients. Obviously be careful if they come with pre-existing physical deficits such as poor balance, motor control, neurologically weak limbs, etc. I'd say volume itself shouldn't be feared, but depending on their disease burden, they may have the Uhthoff's phenomenon. That means symptoms from a previous MS attack can temporarily return if they get too hot. By that I mean the symptoms are temperature dependent, so resting between sets may need to be longer and the work out area should be cool enough.
    I highly suggest keeping the gym fairly cool when training someone with MS. I also highly recommend they invest in a couple "cooling towels" that can be purchased at any sports store. They should bring them with them, and I have had good success with them keeping a towel draped over their head and neck while performing their lifts.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by sgmasey View Post
    I just want to find a way to make him strong again so he can tackle life head on
    As a physician, I think you're TOTALLY on the right track with your brother.

    There's no decent evidence that resistance training can trigger an MS relapse (although there is some lousy data suggesting that aerobic exercise can). My non-evidence-based opinion is that increased physical strength acquired by training when the going is good will increase functionality during those times when the going is bad (i.e. during relapse).

    During relapse, training will be difficult if not impossible because the necessary muscle activation won't happen. The neurologic signal just won't get through. Andy seems to have direct experience with this in training such patients. Those are the times to be very safe, go light, and use a spotter when indicated.

    That's the message I'd impart to a patient that asked me. I think that barbell training can be very meaningful for your brother.

    Quote Originally Posted by sgmasey View Post
    I just know that the feeling of physical power will do wonders for him but I have no facts.
    Let me throw this out. Most studies have demonstrated that MS patients have significantly higher rates of suicidality than the general population. Doesn't it seem likely that seeing one's strength go up might ameliorate this very real issue? I say go with your intuition.

    Take home message: Your brother is lucky to have you.

  8. #8
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    Sep 2017
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    Norway
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    Quote Originally Posted by sgmasey View Post
    Dear Mr Rippetoe, I recently started my Starting Strength routine using your fantastic book, thanks so very much. I have rapidly noticed a change in my general disposition and want to share your method with my brother, which I believe will help him in many ways, particularly in regaining his mental poise and determination to carry on with life

    You see, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a couple of years ago and it has been a terrible burden on his mind and body. He was always athletic and still runs and swims a lot but his loss of feeling in the body and constant fear of degenerating into a wheelchair, coupled with some hard mental hits he took this year (we lost our father in January and my bro was fired from 2 jobs and has been unable to find work in 6 months), has made him very fragile. I just donīt think endurance excercise is doing the trick.

    I just want to find a way to make him strong again so he can tackle life head on, and I just know that the feeling of physical power will do wonders for him but I have no facts.

    I donīt even know if SS is recommended for people with MS, what adjustments to make, precautions to take or even if there is a medical basis for reversing Multiple Sclerosis with Barbell training. Maybe Iīm reaching too far but I just wanted to ask you if you could share your knowledge and experience please. Even if its just to point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful.

    best regards
    My mother had MS. Before she ended up in a wheel chair, she was walking, bicyling and doing her best at being active, but not doing any training for strength. I've seen how fast MS can destroy a body, and in my head there's 2 routes:

    a) he can either not strength train, and the outcome is 100 % a bad one, or he can
    b) try strength training, where all logic points towards better results. A stronger body is harder to kill, right? Perhaps the end result is the same, but I am confident that it will slow the progress a lot, and give him many years with a good quality of life.

    Also, in the norwegian media, there's been some stories about successful stem cell treatment on MS. Have you read about this?

  9. #9
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    Mar 2016
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    Austin, TX
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    I am glad to see this thread...I have MS myself and was diagnosed 8 years ago. I found myself in a bad place about 2 years ago when I realized that I had become very weak and that I had to do something to stop a slow decline. In my case, I have poor balance, coordination, and sensation in my legs. Through research, I found this site and "the books" and began training myself. Strength training has done wonders for my balance, stamina, and general outlook on life. I am 52 and look at this as an investment toward maintaining quality of life in my later years. I have not had any relapses due to weight training. My heat sensitivity is hit or miss.

    As was stated earlier, there will be good days and bad days. Learning to adjust on bad days and not getting down about it is important. The only modification I have made on the lifts is on press. I have struggled with balance in the overhead position. I have gone to pressing in the seated position on heavy days which allows me to concentrate on moving the weight rather than not falling over backwards. I still press occasionally in the standing position but usually at 15 to 20 pounds lighter. Also, my squat is far behind my deadlift. I think this may be due lingering damage from the MS and poor muscle recruitment. There is a new SSC in my area that I will likely go see to make sure the issues are not related to technique. These things said, your brother's experiences will be different since MS is different for every patient. I have found my journey to be an interesting ride...the human body is remarkably adaptable when it is asked to do so!

  10. #10
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    Aug 2017
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    starting strength coach development program
    M Magazine - Fighting Naturally

    I have spoken with Dan on the phone and plan on taking a trip to tour his place. I have heard good things about what he is doing there.

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