The Best Power Wheelchair for Multiple Sclerosis

For those who have been diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis (MS), decisions about assertive technology can have a massive impact on their quality of life while managing the disease.

MS is an auto-immune disorder affecting the central nervous system.

MS affects neurons, which are the cells of the brain and spinal cord that transport information and allow the brain to control the body. With MS, the body’s neurons become damaged leading to degenerative symptoms related to muscle control and sensory function.

The disease is chronic and progressive, and currently, there is no cure. However, many treatments and interventions help those diagnosed with MS to manage their symptoms and slow the progression of the disorder.

Once MS progresses motor function and balance become impaired. In these cases, a motorized wheelchair for multiple sclerosis is very effective for maintaining mobility, independence, and optimizing health.

When is it Time to Use an Electric Wheelchair for MS?

MS is notoriously difficult to predict when it comes to individual symptoms and prognosis. A wide variety of symptoms and presentations makes MS a unique disorder to deal with. Overall, however, patterns of progression with the disease lead to deficits in particular areas.

For instance, multiple sclerosis symptoms often include the loss of muscle control, vision, balance, and sensation. There are four different types of MS, and, depending on which type, you may be more or less likely to benefit from the unique usages of something motorized, like power chairs or mobility scooters. To better understand the 4 types of MS and which ones warrant wheelchair use, we discuss each type below.

The 4 Types of Multiple Sclerosis

• Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS). This is the most common form of multiple sclerosis. Of note, about 85% of people with MS are initially diagnosed with RRMS. People with RRMS have temporary periods called relapses, flare-ups, or exacerbation when new symptoms appear. Usually, individuals reach secondary-progressive MS before they may require the use of a wheelchair.
• Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS). In SPMS, symptoms worsen more steadily over time, with or without the occurrence of relapses and remissions. Most people who are diagnosed with RRMS will transition to SPMS at some point. During the course of SPMS, many people do require the use of a wheelchair due to motor impairment.
• Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS). This type of MS is not very common as only roughly 10% of people with MS are diagnosed with PPMS. This MS type is characterized by slowly worsening symptoms from the beginning, with no relapses or remissions. Many individuals diagnosed with PPMS require the use of a power wheelchair during the course of the illness.
• Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS). This is the rarest form of MS affecting an estimated 5% of people with MS. PRMS is characterized by a steadily worsening disease state from the beginning, with acute relapses but no remissions, with or without recovery. It is again common to use a wheelchair once muscle function has declined with this type of MS.

More on Wheelchair Use and MS

MS primarily first affects people in their early to middle adulthood and is more commonly found in women than men. Because of the different types of multiple sclerosis and the variable progression of the disease, an individual may require the use of a mobility device or other mobility aids.

Mobility devices like a cane, walker, leg brace, manual wheelchair, or a mobility scooter are required, people typically use what is needed to overcome the progressive loss associated with the disease.

That includes upgrading to the use of power mobility to complete activities of daily living such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, reaching, and standing. Plus, power wheelchairs empower people to get around whether to continue professional activities or other kinds of errands.

In addition, some such patients may use a manual wheelchair for part of the day, but due to fatigue, they may benefit from the use of a motorized wheelchair at different times.

Choosing the Best Wheelchair for Multiple Sclerosis

If you or someone you care about have multiple sclerosis, Redman Power Chair offers the best motorized standing wheelchair available to maintain independence and functioning. What is unique about the Redman Power Chair is the ability to automatically stand up with the power chair’s assistance.

The Redman Power Chair is ideal for MS patients who have trouble standing unassisted. Additionally, the latest Redman model, the Chief 107-ZRx is the most advanced power chair on the market. That’s because the 107-ZRx can move and rest at any position between sitting, standing, and reclining.

For example, if you want to horizontally align your legs while doing a 45-degree backrest slant, or stretch your torso upward and move anywhere between sitting and standing, you can. The support and flexibility of the Redman chair are the best way to obtain optimum health benefits to your body and mind when psychomotor impairments get worse.

The Redman Power Chair for MS Patients

As symptoms of multiple sclerosis progress, you or a loved one with MS will likely benefit most from an electric wheelchair with maximum mobility capabilities. The Redman Power Chair uses power tilt, recline, stand, and rotate technology to help you move your body into the position you prefer automatically.

Besides the practical benefits of standing, reaching, and moving with intuitive controls, users benefit from the psychological boost that standing eye-to-eye with others in social situations yields. A wealth of research has lauded the physical and psychological benefits of standing daily for wheelchair-bound individuals.

The human body is meant to stand, so when standing is not possible due to MS, many negative symptoms start to compound. However, when such individuals use assertive technology, they reap many benefits including better circulation, breathing, bladder and bowel function, muscle flexibility and strength, bone density, and pressure relief, among others.

Take Back Control with the Redman Power Chair

Multiple sclerosis is a distressing disease that takes over the life of many people. When symptoms progress to disabling levels, they can feel extremely upsetting and even hopeless at times.

But with the best technology available you don’t have to give up your ability to stand, get around, and stretch independently. Regain your freedom and independence with the most advanced power wheelchair available.

Give the friendly qualified team a call at Redman Power Chair today. We work with most insurances directly to help you get the assertive mobility technology for the most affordable prices.

The Redman Power Chair is the perfect solution for MS patients when mobility impairments get in the way of fully functioning independently. Learn more by continuing to explore our website at redmanpowerchair.com or give us a call today at 1-800-727-6684 to take back control of your life with the best Wheelchair for Multiple Sclerosis!

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