288. Why Your Movement Isn’t Improving (And What to Do Instead)

From The MSing Link by Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS

June 10, 2026 · 18 min · Season 1

About this episode

Dr. Gretchen Hawley discusses the importance of functional exercise for improving daily movement in people with multiple sclerosis.

Ever feel like you're getting stronger… but your walking, your balance, your daily movement just isn't catching up? You're not imagining it. And you're definitely not alone. In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the most common frustrations I hear from people with multiple sclerosis (MS): you're putting in the work — biking, lifting, going to physical therapy — but it's not translating to the things that actually matter in your day. Walking to the mailbox. Standing up from a chair without plopping. Getting through the grocery store without your legs giving out. Here's the missing piece: functional exercise. I'll walk you through what functional exercise actually means, why it matters so much for people with MS, and how to take a big goal (like walking more steadily) and break it down into smaller, specific movements your body can actually practice and improve. This is the wifi connection between your brain and your muscles — and it's what makes the difference between getting stronger on paper and feeling stronger in real life. You'll walk away with: → A clearer understanding of why traditional exercise often falls short for people with MS  → How to identify the specific…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Gretchen Hawley

Topics covered

functional exercise
multiple sclerosis
movement improvement
daily activities
strength training

Keywords

movement
balance
strength
exercise
multiple sclerosis
functional training
daily life

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: multiple sclerosis