The MSing Link: The Essential Guide to Improve Walking, Strength & Balance for People with Multiple Sclerosis

I was diagnosed with the disease in 1992, when there were no disease modifying therapies or suggestions for maintaining your quality of life. The MSing Link is the ultimate reminder that being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) doesn’t have to mean your life is over or that you have no control over your disease. Huge! Every chapter gives you information and strategies to work through everything from initial diagnosis to maintaining and improving your body right now. I research everything about my disease to stay on top of research, and changing protocols, but The MSing Link covers it all. It is an easy, hopeful read, that outlines resources, demonstrates exercises and provides guidance for every stage of the illness. I think the strongest part of the book is way Dr. Gretchen wrote each chapter so they build on each other which makes referring back so easy. It is a book the newly diagnosed, a book for long time MSers, and an amazing book for caretakers and families. As I read it, my overwhelming thought was that I wished I had this resource when I was first diagnosed. It would have calmed my fears and taught me practical and effective coping methods. Everyone’s MS is different and no one can predict exactly what yours will be like, but Dr. Gretchen’s ‘s book provides hope. She makes neuroplasticity understandable, teaches how functional movement and exercise, despite challenges, can improve symptoms. Her resources provide information to navigate through new symptoms, how and when to use assistive devices, how to track your progress so you can share and ask your neurologist direct, specific questions. Chapter by chapter you get valuable information that you can practice at home, which makes it accessible for everyone. She has built a supportive, accessible community to ask questions and hear from others facing the same issues. I was totally surprised at much I learned so I now have a valuable resource to refer back at any time. The MSing Link gives easy to understand information about what happens with MS—what kinds of symptoms it can cause, how it can affect your life, as well as and strategies to use to feel and function fully and safely. It provides many tools to deal with the long-term unpredictability of the disease. Her advice has given me ways to deal with spasticity, improve balance, so I can improve my walking and build endurance. I now have goals and ways to notice improvement, so instead of always losing something, I am getting something back. Truly a gift!

After reading the first few chapters of Gretchen's book I found myself nodding the whole time. It felt so good to be understood so completely. As the book progressed, I was astounded at how easily I could incorporate these exercises into my daily routine. I didn't have to set aside a huge block of time to make progress in my exercises. I could do it throughout the day. And I have. And it's made a world of difference and how I move. Having the printed version of this book allows me to be motivated every time I see it. And I've easily gotten into the ritual of these movements and seeing a huge difference. Thank you Dr. Gretchen, I've been involved in so many exercise programs, and none of them have given me the inspiration and commitment that the MSing Link has. I am eternally grateful for your commitment to the MS community. One of the incredible things about her program is that it reaches me and inspires me every day no matter what my ability is on that given day. There is always something I can do that keeps me on the program. It's so great to know there is always something that meets my limitations and improves my Emotional and physical well-being. I've had MS for 35 years and I've learned a lot in that time. But the things I've learned from Gretchen's book go well beyond anything I understood about moving and it's made an incredible impact on my life with a MS. This program has become an invaluable tool in managing my MS every single day, no matter how I feel. Thank you Dr. Gretchen for taking the time to make this happen. 😞

This is a quick, direct, easy read with modifications and simple instructions. She encourages clients to work at your own pace and encourages perseverance. I had been a fitness instructor for years and often used a similar approach with my clients, including my husband who has the progressive form of MS and lower back issues. But I could not get through to him. I needed to find a resource that he could use. This is it! He read thru the book and has tried most of the exercises. He is most interested in the balance exercises as he can build on those when his lower back causes him too much pain to do other movements. This gives him a sense of control over his body when his body tries to control him. Thank you for providing incentives when MS patients are discouraged.

I was diagnosed with MS in 1998. I’ve always tried to have a positive attitude and exercised throughout the years with personal trainers and going to Physical Therapy. But as my MS has progressed , staying positive and doing exercises has become much more difficult. I now use a walker 24/7. Dr. Hawley has given me motivation with her inspiration, wealth of knowledge, support and caring attitude. I wish I lived near her so I could meet and work with her in person. But the next best thing is to purchase this book. Dr.Hawley talks about functional exercises and neuroplasiticity. Everything is explained in simple terms and the pictures are well depicted. I especially like that the exercises can be done in a seated position since it is difficult for me to get up and down from the floor. This book is a keeper !!

Read this book over 2 days while recovering from a relapse. It explains MS so well & what small changes & exercises we can implement in our lives for a better future. More importantly the RIGHT exercises 💪for MS. It has changed my mindset & I now feel more positive for the future. Dr Gretchen also has a YouTube, podcast & Tiktoc following she is so easy to listen to. I just wish here in Scotland we could access her app but it seems to be US only, my only moan. Thank you so much 💖 xx

Gives me better motivation for practice. Book gives clear examples about ms daily symptoms that we face , regular pt made nearly no progress. This is much more suitable for msers. Hoping this book will help much more on my worsening conditions especially on walking.

Dr. Gretchen Hawley is a physical therapist and MS Specialist who has an online program called The MSing Link. I have been following the MSing Link for about a year and I practise many of the exercises every day. I can honestly say that I am feeling stronger and more self-confident with the tools I have learned in this program. Now Dr. Gretchen Hawley has written this book that is a detailed reference of the MSLing Link Program. It is very easy to read and provides information about multiple sclerosis and neuroplasticity. The book includes easy-to-follow descriptions and photos of the functional exercises that use neuroplasticity to strengthen your muscles, improve your walking and mobility, reduce spasticity, and regain your balance. Dr. Gretchen really understands what it is like to live with Multiple Sclerosis and she provides ways to improve your quality of life. I strongly recommend you read this excellent book that will help you become stronger, walk, and move better, and overcome many of the challenges of Multiple Sclerosis.

Excelente apoyo de ejercicios

This book...I have This book...I have no words. I have been following Dr. Gretchen for a couple of months now. I love how she breaks everything down into little pieces. For example, a step. You think you will practice taking a step. But Dr. Gretchen breaks down a single step into a total of seven exercises. Seven separate movements where you practice each movement separately. And I understand now how important it is with functional training. For example, if you are weak in your legs, you can't just train your legs. You have to practice exactly the movement that is difficult. Repeat and repeat, so the brain finds new pathways. Absolutely EVERYONE with MS must read the book. Relatives and friends should also read it. Dr. Gretchen gives me hope that I will get better. I wish there was a Dr. Gretchen here in Sweden, but I look forward to perhaps having the opportunity to train with her online in the future!