"While the disease course cannot be cured by rehabilitation, a growing body of evidence indicates that improvement in mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life, prevention of complications, reduction in health care utilization, and gains in safety and independence, may be realized by a carefully planned program of exercise, functional training, and activities that address the specific needs of the individual. Thus, rehabilitation is considered a necessary component of comprehensive, quality health care for people living with MS, at all stages of the disease.” ( Quote from the MS Foundation). 

This program will provide an overview of MS, its diagnosis, prevalence, and medical management.  It will then continue to provide a synopsis of evidence based physical therapy management of MS, and discuss different technologies that help with improving efficacy of treatment and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Sakina Valika PT, DPT,  NCS, MSCS shares her insight and expertise on "Consolidating Modern Research Findings and Technologies Into Physical Therapy Interventions for Multiple Sclerosis. "

Objectives: 

• Provide an introduction to MS, it’s diagnosis, and it’s prevalence.

Sakina Valika PT, DPT, NCS, MSCS is a licensed physical therapist, board-certified Neuro Clinical Specialist, and a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist. She has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Northern Illinois University, and her postgraduate training includes a clinical doctorate in physical therapy with a focus on neuro-rehabilitation obtained in 2007 from Rosalind Franklin University.  She holds advanced certifications in robotic and manual assisted locomotor training, functional electrical stimulation,  neuromuscular electrical stimulation, whole body vibration, and aquatic rehabilitation. She sub-specializes in treating individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and traumatic and non-traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries with a focus on activity based therapies to maximize neuroplasticity and neuromuscular recovery.

She is a certified Clinical Instructor Affiliate (CCCE/CI) through the American Physical Therapy Association. She was an educator for the Wayne State University Physical Therapy doctoral program in Detroit, Michigan, as well as other universities that have Physical Therapy assistant programs in Illinois.

Sakina’s clinical expertise lies in using a combination of novel approaches to maximize  neuromuscular recovery in individuals suffering from paralysis due to various neurological conditions. She believes that regular exercise combined with intensive physical therapy can improve function and quality of life, and slow disease progression. She has presented seminars and CEU courses in Activity Based Rehabilitation, because of her unique expertise in this area.  She draws upon current research to incorporate scientifically validated methods into her daily practice. She is the co-founder of TryAbility Neuro-Rehab in Downers Grove, IL, where she enjoys treating individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, stroke, Inflammatory Neuropathies,  and Neuromuscular Scoliosis.

This program was originally recorded February 20, 2020.

1. Purchase the recording by visiting IPTA's Virtual Library . (FREE FOR IPTA MEMBERS - log in to ipta.org so it knows who you are!) Non-member cost is $35. You can earn 1-2 hours of CE, depending on the length of program.