Caring for the Whole Person, Not Just the Disease

There's no question about it - multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious, lifelong disease. The effects of MS go well beyond the medical issues, and well beyond even the patient.

MS attacks the brain and spinal cord in younger adults, usually in their twenties to fifties, and it can cause a host of neurological problems: loss of balance, slurred speech, loss of mobility, numbness, extreme fatigue, paralysis, blindness, and more.

The disease affects nearly every aspect of a person's life and it's difficult for patients to find treatment for all their needs, especially under one roof.

That's why Swedish is creating a state-of-the-art Multiple Sclerosis Center.

The 11,700-square-foot center will offer the most advanced, comprehensive clinical care, research, and wellness activites for people who have MS, not just in the Pacific Northwest, but in the nation.

At the core of the MS Center are care providers who specialize in treating MS. The multidisciplinary team includes neurologists, neuro-radiologists, neuro-opthalmologists, psychologists, and social workers, as well as occupational, speech, physical, and cognitive therapists. All caregivers are committed to treating the whole person, addressing each patient's physical, emotional, psychological, and social needs.

Wellness Gym

An important part of the new MS Center is the Wellness Gym, which will offer not only a gym with specialized equipment for MS patients, but also exercise, yoga and nutrition classes as well as physical and rehabilitative therapy programs and individual and family support groups.

All services will be customized, in collaboration with each patient's physician, to help patients meet their personal health goals.

Research Studies

Neuroscientists at Swedish are involved in more than 20 research studies to investigate new treatments for MS, new methods of diagnosis, better ways of monitoring the disease, and ways to improve physical function.

Patients at the Swedish MS Center will have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials.