MS: Fighting Back with Massage
Massage General Courses

MS: Fighting Back with Massage

Author(s): Kelli Merritt

3.5CE credits 16 Lessons Text

Review the history of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) while defining its types and symptoms. Cover treatments, including side effects of those treatments. Special attention is given to the issues that arise from symptoms, treatments and client responses to both, especially those that require alterations in the massage therapy plan or the massage therapist’s approach. 

Get descriptions of multiple sclerosis (MS) , its types, treatments, effects and clients’ special needs. Explore how to successfully accommodate these clients. When you complete this course you will be able to:

  • Understand how the extreme variability of MS symptoms can affect clients with MS.
  • Describe how massage therapy choices are affected by MS symptoms and drug side effects.
  • Define MS types, symptoms, treatments and its scientific history.
  • List three types of disease modifying treatment methods for MS.
  • Outline PPALM and explain its value for clients with MS.

  1. Massage Therapy for Clients with MS
  2. Types of Multiple Sclerosis
  3. Causes of MS
  4. Likely Candidates for MS
  5. MS and its Symptoms—Diagnosing and Most Common Symptoms
  6. MS and its Symptoms—Other Common Symptoms
  7. MS and its Symptoms—Mobility Issues and Symptoms
  8. Mental Symptoms with MS
  9. Managing MS Symptoms and Severe Relapses
  10. Treatments Available for MS—Injectable Medications
  11. Treatments Available for MS—Oral Medications
  12. Treatments Available for MS—Infused Medications
  13. Treatments Available for MS—Complementary Therapies
  14. MS Research
  15. You and Your Clients with MS
  16. Resources

Kelli Merritt is a massage therapist at Plymouth Lifetime Fitness in Minnesota. In 2012 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. One of her proudest moments was when she completed the Commitment Day 5k with over 40,000 people nationwide just months after receiving her diagnosis. Today, Kelli is an active volunteer with the MS Society and was recognized in a feature article as an “Everyday Hero.” She attended Bike MS to o ffer massages and she also spoke at the Teen Summit and MS Body & Soul event. She has also worked with the Minnesota Health Charities.