EPISODE · May 20, 2026 · 50 MIN
Physiotherapy for MS: fatigue, mobility and movement – Webinar highlights | S8E15
from Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis · host Overcoming MS
How can movement support you to live well with MS, especially when symptoms like fatigue, pain or balance changes get in the way? Physiotherapist Jody Barber joins Vickie Hadge and Gina Beach to answer community questions on movement, exercise and living well with multiple sclerosis. Drawing on more than 30 years’ experience supporting people with neurological conditions, Jody explores how physiotherapy can help with fatigue, pain, balance, spasticity, mobility and confidence. The conversation covers practical ways to adapt movement as symptoms change, why all movement can count, how exercise may support cognition, and when to seek specialist advice. Jody also discusses complementary approaches such as massage, acupuncture, water-based exercise, yoga and relaxation, while emphasising the importance of finding movement that feels enjoyable, manageable and meaningful. This episode is a webinar highlights special – originally recorded as a live Overcoming MS webinar and now edited for the podcast to bring you the key insights, questions and takeaways in one place. Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. Watch the original webinar here: https://overcomingms.org/live-well/resources/past-webinars/ask-the-expert-live-with-jody-barber 02:06 Jody’s experience supporting people with MS 05:00 Understanding muscle fatigue and adapting exercise 08:55 Complementary therapies for stiffness, soreness and pain 11:31 Rebuilding core strength with functional movement 14:36 Finding MS-friendly yoga and movement classes 16:14 Adapting exercise as mobility needs change 19:07 Managing pain, anxiety and fear of movement 23:59 Sleep difficulties, symptoms and practical routines 29:04 Explaining invisible MS symptoms to others 31:39 Choosing the right physiotherapist for MS care 33:26 Why exercise matters for brain health 34:47 Nerve pain, breathing and gentle movement 37:02 Spasticity, weight bearing and relaxation strategies 39:09 Vestibular symptoms, dizziness and balance support 42:21 Exercise, cognition and brain fog in MS 43:52 Foot drop, mirror therapy and foot mobility 46:20 Simple home exercises using body weight 47:07 Electrical muscle stimulation and foot drop support New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
What this episode covers
How can movement support you to live well with MS, especially when symptoms like fatigue, pain or balance changes get in the way? Physiotherapist Jody Barber joins Vickie Hadge and Gina Beach to answer community questions on movement, exercise and living well with multiple sclerosis. Drawing on more than 30 years’ experience supporting people with neurological conditions, Jody explores how physiotherapy can help with fatigue, pain, balance, spasticity, mobility and confidence. The conversation covers practical ways to adapt movement as symptoms change, why all movement can count, how exercise may support cognition, and when to seek specialist advice. Jody also discusses complementary approaches such as massage, acupuncture, water-based exercise, yoga and relaxation, while emphasising the importance of finding movement that feels enjoyable, manageable and meaningful. This episode is a webinar highlights special – originally recorded as a live Overcoming MS webinar and now edited for the podcast to bring you the key insights, questions and takeaways in one place. Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. Watch the original webinar here: https://overcomingms.org/live-well/resources/past-webinars/ask-the-expert-live-with-jody-barber 02:06 Jody’s experience supporting people with MS05:00 Understanding muscle fatigue and adapting exercise08:55 Complementary therapies for stiffness, soreness and pain11:31 Rebuilding core strength with functional movement14:36 Finding MS-friendly yoga and movement classes16:14 Adapting exercise as mobility needs change19:07 Managing pain, anxiety and fear of movement23:59 Sleep difficulties, symptoms and practical routines29:04 Explaining invisible MS symptoms to others31:39 Choosing the right physiotherapist for MS care33:26 Why exercise matters for brain health34:47 Nerve pain, breathing and gentle movement37:02 Spasticity, weight bearing and relaxation strategies39:09 Vestibular symptoms, dizziness and balance support42:21 Exercise, cognition and brain fog in MS43:52 Foot drop, mirror therapy and foot mobility46:20 Simple home exercises using body weight47:07 Electrical muscle stimulation and foot drop support New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
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Physiotherapy for MS: fatigue, mobility and movement – Webinar highlights | S8E15
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