Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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

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What happens when you experience MS symptoms, but don’t yet have a diagnosis?

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we hear from Maureen Haith, who first experienced neurological symptoms in 2002 but wasn’t diagnosed with multiple sclerosis until 2019. Along the way, she was told she had clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) – a term many people are unfamiliar with, but which can be an early stage of MS.

Maureen shares her experience of recognising early symptoms, navigating uncertainty, and deciding when and how to tell others about her condition. She also reflects on how discovering the Overcoming MS programme influenced her lifestyle, from diet and exercise to building community through local support groups.

This is a thoughtful and reassuring conversation for anyone facing MS diagnosis uncertainty, exploring practical ways to take control and make sustainable lifestyle changes over time.

Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.

 

02:02 First MS symptoms: fatigue, tingling and early warning signs
03:49 New symptoms appear: changes in walking and sensation
04:55 What is clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and why it matters
07:38 Deciding when and how to share an MS diagnosis
11:37 MS risk and family: understanding genetics and environment
14:23 Discovering Overcoming MS and making lifestyle changes
16:35 Finding support: building connection through local MS circles
20:19 Following the MS diet while travelling and eating out
26:03 Managing weight on a whole food plant-based diet
29:29 Coping with brain fog: practical tools that help
31:33 Advice for newly diagnosed: start small and build gradually

Read all of the Overcoming MS books

Find plant-based restaurants on the Happy Cow website

Check out the Chef Cards for eating in a restaurant

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:

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YouTube

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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’s the best way to approach exercise with multiple sclerosis? In this bonus from the archive episode of Living Well with MS, Trevor Wicken explores neuroplasticity, “neural edge” and how to find a movement routine that works for you.

Trevor Wicken is the founder of The MS Gym and a neuromuscular movement specialist who supports people with MS through brain-based movement, mindset, education and community. In this episode, he explores how movement can support confidence, resilience and day-to-day wellbeing, and why progress with MS is often about recognising small victories along the way.

Whether you’re just starting to explore movement with MS or looking for renewed motivation, this episode is a reminder that exercise is not about doing everything perfectly, it’s about finding what works for you.

 Originally broadcast in 2020, this episode has been edited to remove out-of-date content and reuploaded in 2026 to ensure it remains relevant and useful.

01:28 What is The MS Gym? 

04:45 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, and the journey that brought you to launching The MS Gym? 

13:45 How is your fitness philosophy particularly tailored to people with MS? 

18:53 Is it worth getting an MS specialist approach rather than just a normal physical training instructor? 

21:10 What are the biggest obstacles to getting people – with or without MS – to adopt a regular exercise regimen? 

28:39 For the people you serve under The MS Gym umbrella, how do you measure their success or progress? 

44:06 If you could articulate one specific outcome you can say you really nailed in your work through The MS Gym, what would that be and why? 

54:53 What motivates or inspires you as a human being?

For many men with multiple sclerosis, diagnosis brings uncertainty and fear – and it’s not always easy to talk about.

In this episode, Steve Rose, a psychotherapist living with MS shares his perspective on men’s mental health, from coming to terms with diagnosis to managing stress, anxiety and changing identity over time. He explores the importance of mindset, the role of mindfulness and rest, and why learning to understand your own patterns and limits can make a meaningful difference.

The conversation also looks at the challenges men can face in opening up, and the value of finding the right support – whether through trusted relationships, therapy or community.

This episode offers a thoughtful, honest look at what it means to live well with MS, emotionally as well as physically.

Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Steve’s bio.

02:20 Steve’s diagnosis story and early mindset shifts after MS
04:46 Challenging limiting beliefs about exercise and MS
06:39 Managing stress with mindfulness and regular mental breaks
09:02 Visualising MS as a “tiger in a cage”
11:12 Processing diagnosis: grief, anger and emotional adjustment
12:31 Advice for newly diagnosed: why talking really helps
13:15 Navigating relationships and finding people who understand
14:45 Creating community: a virtual space for men with MS
16:52 Final advice: understanding your body and adapting over time

Connect with Steve and learn more about his work

Stay up to date on the Might Spoons virtual pub for men with MS

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:

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YouTube

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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.

Navigating disability benefits with multiple sclerosis can feel overwhelming – especially when symptoms are invisible, fluctuating and difficult to measure. 

 In this episode, Social Security disability attorney Nancy Cavey speaks to Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Vickie Hadge to explore how MS is assessed in disability claims, when to consider applying, and what steps you can take early to strengthen your case. From documenting symptoms and functional impact to understanding how work, fatigue and cognitive changes are evaluated, this conversation offers practical guidance grounded in real-world experience. 

 You’ll also learn what to expect from the application process, common mistakes to avoid, and why planning ahead – financially and medically – can make a significant difference. 

 This episode focuses on the US disability benefits system, but many of the insights around documenting symptoms, planning ahead and advocating for support may still be helpful wherever you live. 

Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. 

02:11 Nancy’s story – why she specializes in disability law 03:20 When MS symptoms start affecting your ability to work 04:12 How to document MS symptoms for stronger evidence 07:35 How MS disability claims are assessed step by step 10:52 What happens after a disability claim is denied 11:40 Proving fatigue and cognitive symptoms in MS claims 13:09 Can you work part-time and still claim benefits? 16:43 How mental health symptoms are considered in MS cases 19:08 Common mistakes people make when applying for disability 20:38 Workplace benefits vs government disability support explained 23:24 Financial planning for a long disability application process 24:04 Early steps to protect your future disability claim 26:18 Why your doctor’s support can make or break a claim 

Visit Nancy’s Website 

Follow Nancy on YouTube 

Listen to Nancy’s Podcast 

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.