Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS

Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS Physical Therapist & MS Certified Specialist helping you walk better, feel stronger, and move with confidence — even if nothing else has worked.

Creator of The MSing Link® program. Learn what actually works for MS.

09/03/2026

Struggling with constipation or urinary retention because of MS? Here’s how to make bathroom trips easier ⬇️

Constipation and urinary retention are two symptoms of MS that don’t get talked about enough… but they can be some of the most frustrating and isolating to deal with.

When your body doesn’t cooperate, everyday tasks can become uncomfortable, stressful, and time-consuming. 😓

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone - and you’re not stuck.

Here are my go-to stretches to make emptying easier + faster:

💥 Figure 4 stretch
💥 Leaning forward + backward
💥 Seat circles
💥 Position changes

These simple stretches can help your body cooperate, making bathroom trips faster, easier, and less stressful.

Inside The MSing Link, I teach strategies like these every week - along with exercise classes that help you feel more in control of your body.

As a member, you’ll gain access to tools + strategies that help you:

✅ Reduce MS symptoms
✅ Strengthen the brain/body connection
✅ Boost strength + mobility
✅ Feel more confident in your daily life

If you’re tired of struggling with symptoms that slow you down, The MSing Link gives you the support you need to take charge of your health. 💪

✨ Comment “LINK” below and I’ll send you details on how to join our supportive community and start feeling more in control of your body today!





With a chronic illness, “I’m fine” rarely means “I’m fine” ⬇️Sometimes when someone asks how you’re doing, “I’m fine” sl...
09/02/2026

With a chronic illness, “I’m fine” rarely means “I’m fine” ⬇️

Sometimes when someone asks how you’re doing, “I’m fine” slips out because it’s easier than unpacking all the layers underneath.

When you live with a chronic illness, those two little words can carry a lot of weight. 😓

It’s a quick answer that often hides exhaustion, pain, or just the need for peace and empathy.

For many people, “I’m fine” can actually mean things like:

💭 I don’t have the energy to explain what’s happening right now.
💭 I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.
💭 I’m trying to protect my peace.
💭 I’m hanging on, but it’s taking everything I’ve got.

You shouldn’t have to justify how you feel or prove your pain to be believed.

If no one has told you lately: you’re doing your best, and that’s enough. 🧡

What does “I’m fine” mean for you? Let me know in the comments!





Breaking news for the MS community... here’s what’s actually true about the CAR-T clinical trials.This isn’t the news I ...
09/01/2026

Breaking news for the MS community... here’s what’s actually true about the CAR-T clinical trials.

This isn’t the news I wanted to share today 😑

But you know me... I’m going to show you the hopeful research updates AND the hard ones.
Not just the good parts.

Two drug companies just paused clinical trials that were investigating a possible treatment for people with MS (specifically, CAR-T cell therapy).

One company had 3 deaths from a rare, severe immune reaction.

The other company paused its trials for a different reason... no deaths, but out of caution after routine safety monitoring.

And this is the part I really want to emphasize:

A paused trial doesn’t automatically mean the treatment failed or that all CAR-T research for MS is unsafe.

It means something concerning showed up, the trials were stopped, and researchers are now investigating what happened.

What this means for you today ⬇️

→ Your current MS treatment plan doesn’t change
→ This doesn’t affect approved DMTs
→ If you’re enrolled in any of these trials, your care team will likely reach out

These specific CAR-T trials are paused right now... but they’re not the whole story of CAR-T research for MS. Other CAR-T approaches are still being studied, and I’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

I’ll keep watching the research so you don’t have to decipher every headline yourself 🧡

Here’s the full report: https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/novartis-bristol-myers-autoimmune-cell-therapy-trial-halt/829218/

09/01/2026

Want better strength or mobility with MS? Here’s the secret your brain needs. 🧠👇

Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to create new pathways and strengthen old ones so movements become easier and more automatic over time.

That’s why the right exercises can make a big difference, no matter your age or MS stage. 🙌

The only problem? Neuroplasticity needs the right conditions to thrive.

Here’s how to get the most out of it:

💥 Repeat, repeat, repeat.
The more often you practice a movement, the stronger that brain–muscle connection becomes.

💥 Prioritize functional exercise.
Practice real-life movements you want to get better at—like standing up or sitting down.

💥 Give it your full attention.
Distractions make it harder for your brain to lock in a skill. Focus on the movement while you do it.

💥 Practice patience.
Improvements may take months or years, but every single rep is building something valuable.

✨ Imagine standing up with ease, walking more confidently, or feeling stronger in your everyday movements. Every time you practice, you’re giving your brain the chance to adapt, grow, and help you move better.

Has consistency helped your mobility or balance? Comment below - I’d love to hear your story! 💬

Know someone who’s working on their mobility? Share this post with them! And follow me for more tips to move with confidence every week.



08/31/2026

Have MS and want to feel steadier walking? Here’s how ⬇️

Progress with MS *is* possible, and it doesn’t have to take months or years to notice a difference.

In just ONE week of practicing the techniques inside The MSing Link book, Tracy was able to improve her walking and feel steadier on her feet. 🙌

Here’s how The MSing Link book can help you too:

✅ Learn MS-specific exercises that strengthen your muscles + the brain-body connection.

✅ Discover practical techniques to improve walking, balance, and coordination.

✅ Get strategies for managing MS fatigue and feeling more energized.

✅ Build confidence with step-by-step guidance tailored for MS.

It’s available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook—so you can learn in the way that feels easiest for you.

Comment “BOOK” below and I’ll DM you the link to grab your copy today! 📚

💡 Want more MS-specific tips, exercises, and strategies from an MS-specialized physical therapist? Follow .gretchen for more!





08/27/2026

If MS makes your leg bounce, here’s how to calm it down 👇

That strange reflex where your leg starts bouncing on its own is called clonus, and it’s common for people with MS.

Here’s what’s happening:

💡 Your nervous system is sending repeated signals to your muscles, causing them to contract and release over and over, kind of like a stuck switch.

It’s frustrating and tiring, but thankfully, there’s an easy way to stop it fast. 🙌

Try this next time it happens:

💥 Point your toes downward or move your leg slightly farther away from you. 💥

That tiny adjustment changes the angle of your ankle — and for most of my MS clients, it instantly stops the bouncing.

It’s one of those small, science-backed tricks that can make a big difference.

Have you experienced clonus before? Try this out and tell me if it helps! 💬






08/26/2026

Does MS make walking in public feel overwhelming? 😓

Many people with MS tell me they feel like everyone is watching them walk… which makes their walking even WORSE.

And then the self-consciousness kicks in.

But that’s not the point. What matters is how confident you *feel* when you’re moving… (even when people are around)

The good news?

Confidence is something you can train for 💪

Here’s a method you can use to make it easier:

1️⃣ Practice functional strengthening exercises.
These are the types of exercises that directly relate to your activity-based goals, like walking and climbing stairs.
→ Ideas: Marching, leg kicks, hamstring curls, ankle lifts.

2️⃣ Improve your stability with balance exercises.
This will help you regain your balance when you feel a little off kilter.
→ Ideas: weight shifting, staggered stance balance, bridesmaid walk.

3️⃣ Walk at home while 1-2 family members watch.
It’s low-pressure, but helps your brain get used to having eyes on you.

4️⃣ Gradually increase the number of “watchers.”
Keep adding more until it feels like you’re in public around strangers.
Heck... you could even go to a very small convenience store!

5️⃣ Repeat these steps outside.
Once you’ve gained confidence, practice walking on the sidewalk or in a park.

The more you train in safe, structured settings, the less your brain panics when it notices people around you out in the world (restaurants, stores, parking lots, etc.)

This approach combines exercises + mindset... which is why it works SO well.

Before you know it, you’ll be walking confidently wherever you go🚶‍♀️

Will you give these steps a try this week? Comment below! 💬
And share this with someone who might benefit from this tip!





08/25/2026

If you have MS, this might completely change how you think about exercise. 🧠

Many people believe that doing more repetitions automatically leads to better results.

But your brain doesn’t just learn from repetition...

It learns from repetition of the movement you’re actually practicing.

That means if you’re repeatedly performing an exercise with poor form, compensation patterns, or muscles doing the wrong job...

Your brain gets better at doing it that way.

💡 The brain strengthens the neural pathways for whatever you continue to practice.

Good quality.

Or poor quality.

That’s why when it comes to walking, balance, foot drop, or leg strength, more isn’t always better.

In fact, I’d rather see:

✅ Smaller movement
✅ Better alignment
✅ The right muscles activating

than bigger movement with compensations, poor form, or your leg swinging out to the side.

Because those compensations can eventually increase your risk of tripping, stumbling, or falling.

This is one of the biggest reasons traditional exercise doesn’t always create the improvements people with MS are hoping for.

It’s not just about doing the exercise.

It’s about teaching your brain and body the right movement pattern.

🧡 Comment **285** below and I’ll send you the full podcast episode where I explain this concept in more detail.

08/24/2026

Want to see progress in your MS? Read this 👇

Life with MS can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, but progress IS possible.

You are not alone, and you’re not stuck either. 🧡

So many of our MSing Link members started out feeling unsure of whether they’d be able to make a difference in their symptoms or quality of life.

Those same people? They ended up seeing results like:

✅ Walking farther without needing to stop
✅ Less foot drop + fewer trips or scuffs
✅ Better balance when turning or standing
✅ More confidence walking at a regular pace
✅ Feeling stronger + more stable day to day
✅ Trusting their body again instead of fearing it

The secret ingredient = MS-specific exercise.

It’s built for how MS impacts things like movement, balance, and fatigue - working with your body to build neuroplasticity and make everyday routines easier. 🧠💪

Inside The MSing Link, you get:

💥 MS-specific exercise programs designed by an MS-Specialized PT
💥 Clear guidance on how to train muscles + the nervous system together
💥 Modifications for good days, bad days + everything in between
💥 Education to help you understand what’s going on in your body
💥 A supportive community of people on similar journeys

If you’ve been wanting to feel stronger, walk further, or increase mobility, this is your sign to take your health into your own hands!

If they can do it, so can you. You’ve got this!! 🤗

💬 Want more info on the program that can help? Comment “LINK” and I’ll send you the details!





If you have MS: Do flare-ups make even the smallest tasks - like brushing your teeth or getting dressed - feel impossibl...
08/20/2026

If you have MS: Do flare-ups make even the smallest tasks - like brushing your teeth or getting dressed - feel impossible? 😓

MS flare-ups can be unpredictable, exhausting, and discouraging.

But here’s what I want you to remember, from someone who truly gets it:

➡️ You are not weak for slowing down.
➡️ You are not overreacting.
➡️ You are not alone.

When a flare hits, that’s your body asking for a little extra support.

Here are a few ways to care for yourself during an MS flare-up:

✨ Give yourself permission to rest without guilt
✨ Stay hydrated and eat nourishing foods
✨ Focus on gentle movement or stretching (if it feels good)
✨ Track your symptoms
✨ Lean on your support system or connect with others who get it

You’ve done this before. You’ll do it again. Don’t forget that. 🧡

Which of these self-care tips do you find the hardest to stick to during a flare? Or is there something else that helps you get through it? 💬 Comment below, I’d love to hear what works for you!





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