Multiple Sclerosis Center
The Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Center is a world-class facility that uses a comprehensive approach to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Our wellness teams move beyond the long list of physical and cognitive symptoms of MS to address your emotional, psychological and social needs that arise from this complicated disease and its impact on every aspect of your life.
Our goal is to help you not only to cope but to live life well, despite having a chronic illness. Because our wellness teams work together to coordinate and deliver personalized care to each patient, they are all conveniently located at the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Center.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes the body's immune system to attack the brain and spinal cord, which make up the central nervous system. When this occurs, signals from the brain to the rest of the body are disrupted. This disruption of signals results in symptoms ranging from numbness, tingling, pain, fatigue, changes in mood, memory problems, blindness, and/or paralysis. Everyone's experience with MS is unique and symptoms vary from person to person. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but doctors and scientists have identified drugs to slow the progression of MS and continue to research new treatments.
The Swedish Neuroscience Institute is home to a world-class multiple sclerosis center and is a leader in multiple sclerosis treatment and research.
We help people with multiple sclerosis live life to the fullest by providing an array of crucial services in one convenient location. Our compassionate, comprehensive care includes the latest medical treatments and addresses each person’s physical, emotional and social needs.
Medications are now available to slow the course of multiple sclerosis. These medications are called Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) or Disease Modifying Drugs (DMDs) because they slow the progression of multiple sclerosis.
Our physical wellness team works together to coordinate personalized exercise programs, physical treatments, evaluations and equipment needed to address MS symptoms affecting mobility.
Our rehabilitation psychologist, neuro-psychiatrist and counseling program help patients and their families cope with the ups and downs of the disease. We also hold workshops on depression, pain management and other topics to promote emotional health.
Our social wellness team includes a social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist and patient education coordinator. Together, they work to help MS patients remain engaged in their local communities.
Our vocational services team can help you look at your employment options, make a career change or apply for disability. Our vocational services are free and can often be coordinated with other appointments on the same day.
The Multiple Sclerosis Center at Swedish is one of the country’s leading multiple sclerosis research centers. We specialize in clinical trials, which are research studies of new medications to treat the disease. This allows us to offer our patients the most promising new therapies as well as the latest in diagnostic testing and symptom management.
At the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Swedish, we know that care for people with MS goes beyond medical treatment. MS touches every part of a patient’s life. That’s why we offer virtual and onsite programs and classes for patients and families that help maintain physical fitness, provide emotional support and build community. Please click on the corresponding program for more details. To stay up to date on new programs and events, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter!
Being physically active is a key to staying positive, engaged and connected to your community. At the MS Center, we help patients do that with our Adventure Program. This program is run by the MS center’s occupational therapist and adventure guide.
The program is open to all people with MS in the greater Seattle area, as well as their caregivers, family and friends. Our goal is to offer fun and challenging experiences for people of all abilities and interests.
We are always looking for new potential adventures. Past adventures have included:
- Cycling
- Horseback riding
- Indoor rock climbing
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Fine arts classes
- Excursions to local businesses
We sponsor several seasonal MS events to bring people together to accomplish those goals – and to have fun.
The MS Center at Swedish has held an annual art show since 2009, presenting creative works by those affected by MS in the Pacific Northwest. Artists of all ages and abilities are welcome.
The purpose of this event is to:
- Enhance quality of life through art.
- Raise community awareness about multiple sclerosis.
- Provide an opportunity for individuals touched by MS to express themselves.
- Offer a venue for artists to display their work, meet others in the community and sell their art if desired.
- Encourage individuals to thrive apart from their disease.
- The show is NOT a fundraiser but merely an opportunity to raise awareness about the disease and enable individuals to display their work before a larger audience.
The annual summer BBQ features traditional American BBQ fare, live music and education. All MS community members, family and friends are welcome to attend this fully catered event at the MS Center.
In preparation for winter and the holidays, the MS Center invites community members to socialize, eat sweets, sip hot cocoa and participate in seasonal craft-making. Guests are encouraged to bring their holiday presents for complimentary wrapping. All materials are provided by the MS Center.
As one of the largest and most successful fundraising teams in Washington, the Swedish MS Walk and Bike Team proudly participates in the National MS Society Walk and Bike MS each year to raise awareness and funds for an MS cure.
The MS Center Gym is currently not accepting new participants. To be added to the waiting list, please contact erin.carper@swedish.org.
The gym features a comprehensive suite of equipment, including some specialized for people living with MS.
- Free to Swedish MS patients, 18 and older, who have previously seen a physical therapist at the center for a gym orientation.
- Patients will have to complete a Patient Agreement form.
- Caregivers and family members are welcome to accompany patients but are not be permitted to exercise.
- Bring a towel, water bottle and a change of clothes.
- For patient safety and convenience, please reserve a gym time before visiting. Times are available in 30-minute slots. Call 206-320-2200 to sign up.
A gentle class appropriate for all mobility levels and those new to yoga. Transitioning to the floor is optional; wheelchair users are welcome. Classes are free and offered to all individuals living with MS. Caregivers, family members and non-Swedish patients with MS also are welcome. Virtual classes offered weekly, in-person classes offered intermittently.
- Free
- Instructor: Deborah King, yoga therapist, C-IAYT
- Date/Time: Tuesdays, 1-2:15 p.m. & 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. via Zoom
- To RSVP: Send an email
Introductory and intermediate classes offered. Chair Pilates classes are appropriate for all mobility levels and those new to Pilates, and wheelchair users are welcome. Classes are free and offered to all individuals living with MS. Caregivers, family members and non-Swedish patients with MS also are welcome. Virtual classes offered multiple times/week.
- Free
- Instructors: Natalie Wilson and Anna Golubeva
- Date/Time: Schedule varies – classes offered via Zoom
- To RSVP: Send an email
We offer free support groups for many interests.
This MS support group is for people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning community. Partners and care providers are also welcome. In this safe environment, you can openly discuss concerns, frustrations and the impact of MS on your life or on that of a loved one.
- Location: Virtual via Zoom
- To RSVP: Send an email
Music and singing can restore, maintain, and improve emotional, physical, and physiological health and well-being. Engage in simple music exercises with a Board-Certified Neurological Music Therapist to improve your motor, communication and cognitive skills in a supportive group environment. Free and offered to all individuals living with MS. Caregivers, family members and non-Swedish patients with MS also are welcome. All mobility levels welcome; no music background required. Instruments provided for onsite music therapy. Virtual classes weekly, in-person classes offered monthly.
- Free
- Instructor: Betsy Hartman, MT-BC, NMT-Fellow
- Date/Time: Wednesdays
- Group Sessions: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. virtual, in-person classes the last Wednesday/month from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Private Sessions: 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. by appointment (in-person or virtual)
- To RSVP: Send an email
Piano, guitar and drum sessions for practicing musicians, former practicing musicians and learning musicians who have lost the ability to play due to their neurological condition. Sessions are provided by a musician who has overcome the challenges of MS through his own music therapy.
- Date/Time: Last Wednesdays of every month in-person at the MS Center
- Group Sessions: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Private Sessions: Thursdays by appointment
- To RSVP: Send an email
Partners and caregivers of people with MS are invited to this group. Co-sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
- Location: Virtual via Zoom
- To RSVP: Send an email
Join us for once-a-month virtual book club meetings! Read the book, read a couple of chapters, listen on tape or just show up to listen and connect with others in the MS Community. Free and offered to all individuals living with MS. Caregivers, family members and non-Swedish patients with MS also are welcome. Books provided for regular participants.
- Free
- Date/Time: First Wednesday of every month, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Location: Virtual via Zoom
- To RSVP: Send an email
Find comfort, strength, and resources by talking with and learning from others living with MS in your community. Join our 2x monthly "coffee breaks" to discuss a range of topics, participate in activities, and learn from invited presenters.
- Free
- Date/Time: First and Third Friday of every month, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Virtual via Zoom
- To RSVP: Send an email
Engage in simple singing and vocal exercises with a Board-Certified Neurological Music Therapist to improve your speech or voice difficulty as well as cognitive skills in a supportive group environment. Free and offered to all individuals living with MS. Caregivers, family members and non-Swedish patients with MS also are welcome. All mobility levels welcome; no singing confidence or experience required. Virtual classes weekly.
- Free
- Instructor: Megumi Azekawa, MM, MT-BC
- Date/Time: Mondays
- Group Sessions: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., virtual via Zoom
- Private Sessions: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., by appointment (in-person or virtual)
- To RSVP: Send an email
The MS Center holds a variety of educational events to help people with MS and their families and caregivers make sense of this complicated and sometimes unpredictable disease. These talks, seminars and social events are a great opportunity to connect with others in the MS community and learn about the latest research and treatments.
Each year, experts from the MS Center and the National MS Society bring free traveling seminars to communities throughout Washington to share the most up-to-date information about MS diagnosis, treatment, research, rehabilitation and exercise. You do not need to be a patient of Swedish to attend a roadshow. Family, friends and caregivers are welcome.
Our MS specialists, including neurologists and neuro-ophthalmologists, give multiple talks each month about MS diagnosis, treatment and research. Presentations are held at various locations throughout the greater Seattle and Eastside areas.
- The MS Center periodically presents nationally recognized speakers and celebrities from the MS community.
- Country music star Clay Walker toured the center and wrote a song with our Music Therapy patients.
- Trevis Gleason, world-renowned chef and author, launched his new book, “Chef Interrupted,” at the MS Center.
- Pop star David Osmond performed for patients and toured the center.
- Singer, actress and author Kristie Salerno Kent shared her inspirational story and sang for patients.
To learn more about special events and upcoming talks, please join our e-newsletter list.
We want you to receive the highest quality care and will partner with you to reach this goal. To help us best serve you and others in the MS community, please properly prepare for each appointment by following the steps below.
Please complete your paperwork and forms before you arrive for your appointment.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact us no later than 48 hours before your scheduled visit.
- Bring with you:
- All completed paperwork from the new patient packet
- Your insurance card
- A list of questions or issues you'd like to talk about; put the most important concerns at the top of your list
- A pen, notepad, calendar or electronic device to take notes
- A friend or family member to help you remember important questions or what was said during your visit
- Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment
- Allow time for traffic and parking; we offer free valet services (parking fees apply)
- If you will be late, please call to let us know
- Stick to your list of questions to help you from getting sidetracked; mention any urgent issues first
- Please turn off your cell phone
- Leave young children at home or bring someone to watch them in the waiting room
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact us no later than 48 hours before your scheduled visit.
Multiple sclerosis is a complicated disease, and everyone with MS has a unique story. Watch these videos to learn about some of our patients and their experiences at the MS center.
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MS Center a second home for patients and familiesLearn how patients describe the MS Center.
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Living with MSFour people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Washington state tell their stories in this video.
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Skydiving with John - MS Adventure ProgramExperience the thrill of skydiving with John Mistur, a participant in Providence Swedish's MS Adventure Program for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.