Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Whole body
What It Is
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), formerly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is the most common type of motor neurone disease (MND) (NHS, 2025; NINDS, 2026). It is a rare condition of the brain and nerves that affects the motor neurones, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control the muscles (NINDS, 2026; NHS, 2025). It causes muscle weakness that gets worse over months or years. It is usually life-shortening and there is currently no cure, but treatment can help manage the symptoms (NHS, 2025). Adults of any age can get it, but it usually affects people over the age of 50 (NHS, 2025); symptoms most commonly start between the ages of 55 and 75 (NINDS, 2026).
Causes of ALS
It is not clear why the motor neurones stop working properly. For most people, it is thought that a combination of certain genes and other factors is involved. About 1 in 10 people with MND have a family history of the condition, but having a relative with MND does not necessarily mean you will get it (NHS, 2025). Researchers have suggested that environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins or viral infections, might play a part, but this has not been proven (Masrori and Van Damme, 2020). Men are slightly more likely to develop ALS than women (NINDS, 2026).
How ALS Progresses
Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.
Treatment
Self-Care & Treatment
Treating ALS
Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or specialist team
Treatment
My Approach
ALS changes over time, so my aim isn't to restore strength. It's to help you stay as comfortable, mobile and relaxed as possible, alongside your specialist team. Your neurologist, physiotherapist and the rest of your team lead your care. I work within their advice, and before we start I'll ask what they've told you about exercise, positioning, breathing and swallowing.
I start by assessing how you're moving, where you feel stiff, tight or crampy, and which muscles are working overtime to make up for weaker ones.
Comfort and Stiffness
- Gentle massage for stiff, tight or cramping muscles
- Work on the neck, shoulders and back, which often take on extra strain when other muscles weaken or you use a walking aid or wheelchair
- Gentle joint movement and stretching to help keep joints from stiffening
- Gentle lymphatic drainage and elevation if your feet or hands swell from sitting for long periods
- Warm applications in the clinic for aching muscles
Staying Active
- Gentle exercise that fits with your physiotherapist's programme, kept well short of fatigue
- Relaxation and calm breathing to help you rest and cope with stress
Adapting As Things Change
What to Expect
Typical Course
What I Focus On
Sources
References
- NHS (2025) Motor neurone disease (MND). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/motor-neurone-disease/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2026) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016, updated 2019) Motor neurone disease: assessment and management (NICE guideline NG42). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng42/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
- Masrori, P. and Van Damme, P. (2020) 'Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a clinical review', European Journal of Neurology, 27(10), pp. 1918–1929. doi: 10.1111/ene.14393