Physio

Im in the recovery part of a relapse. Still having some symptoms, but on the mend. As anyone whos had any sort of physical injury will tell you, if you cant use part of your body as you normally would, you adapt, and when the injury heals you dont instantly go back to where you were before. Its no different when a ms relapse affect your motor skills.
My left legs hasnt been behaving for a few weeks now, but the control is nearly back. But im still walking funny. Its not that my leg cant walk normally now, but the muscles have kind of forgotten what normal is. With concentration I can move it normally, but with concentration its not natural or flowing, its a bit jerky and staccato.
So I need to practice, build up the strength I have lost, mainly in the small but important muscles. Thats where physio comes in.  Its a big part of recovery. And not something im a stranger to. Ive had plenty of injuries over the years from sporting mishaps. But this is a little different.  There was no injury. The signals couldn't get to the muscles so they simply were not being used. Its all a matter of practicing and isolating the movement im not using right.
So I went to see some specialist neurological physiotherapists on Thursday.  They assessed me by watching me balance and walk about for a bit as my leg tired, then manipulated my leg. They said the main problem us actually around my hip, not what I expected to hear. So I have exercises to do involving mainly core strength and stability work.  After just 3 days I am already noticing the difference. So if you are offered physio, take it. Even if you think you know whats needed you may be wrong. I thought the problem was below the knee!

Another thing I found was to beware that medics not specialising in ms have a very different view on ms topics. All the docs and my ms nurse are very positive and hopeful for my treatment next week. But the physios were much more cynical. They admitted not ever knowing a patient who'd been on it, yet seemed unconvinced by my optimism. They know their stuff physio wise, but not having seen anyone on the treatment is good, why would they see anyone on it if it works?