ALS, medically referred to as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a progressive, neurological disease. It typically develops in the hand, feet, and extremities before progressing to the central part of the body. Those who develop ALS typically begin by noticing a challenge with walking, as they may frequently trip or lose their balance. It is also common to notice frequent muscle cramps or weakness in the hands or legs. As ALS progresses throughout the body, it can affect the way in which someone walks, uses their extremities, speaks, swallows, and even breathes.

There is, unfortunately, no cure for ALS, but the goal of our rehabilitative team is to help maintain function and independence for as long as possible. We also focus on preventing secondary complications (such as fall-related injuries) by providing information for safety and adaptation when using assistive devices. As the disease progresses, our physiotherapists can recommend adaptive equipment, such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, braces, and other devices.