msfocusmagazine.org
10 
• Convenience of location for visits 
• Cost and potential insurance coverage 
Once a therapist has been chosen, it is 
important to have open communication 
about needs and expectations. Your therapist 
should know how to tailor your treatment 
accordingly. It is also important to understand 
that relief may not be felt immediately once 
treatment begins. Several sessions, various 
techniques, and different therapists may be 
used before finding what works best for you. 
Massage therapy is not a cure. It is, instead, 
an assistive method of treatment. Symptoms 
will not be eliminated, but you may feel relief. 
If massage does nothing more than help you 
destress and relax, that may be enough to 
validate its use.
 
 Massage and Yoga 
 
An additional CAM therapy that may directly coordinate with massage is yoga. Yoga 
is a mind-body practice consisting of poses, stretching, and breathing techniques. Poses 
and movements are used to improve muscular flexibility, strength, and balance.  
Meditation and breathing techniques may help in reducing stress and anxiety. Used 
together, in a complementary fashion, massage therapy and yoga can create a well-rounded 
approach to both physical and mental health. 
MS Focus recognizes the benefits of yoga and provides a fee online Chair Yoga class 
every other monday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. 
Patricia Salner, a certified yoga instructor, teaches the majority of the classes and her  
fellow Yogi, Leslie Gordon, also a certified instructor, believe that yoga is a valuable CAM 
treatment for MS patients, she emphatically responded, “Yes!” and went on to explain her  
belief that yoga is good for everyone. She detailed how, for MS patients, the value of more 
energy, maintenance of muscle, and enhanced balance and strength may be found. 
If you are interested in joining the weekly Chair Yoga class, visit msfocus.org to register.
    Health and Wellness

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.