Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS, Rochester, NY (2026)

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

02/16/2026

Not *that* NFL - NfL. (Yes, the Super Bowl is over. Maybe next year, Bills?! 😅) 🏈🧠

If you have MS and have ever wondered why your symptoms don’t always line up with what shows up on an MRI… this is for you.

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker researchers are studying as a way to measure nerve damage activity in MS through a blood test.

Why this matters 🧡:
Sometimes there can be active nerve injury happening even when...
→ symptoms haven’t changed much
→ or MRI findings don’t tell the full story

It’s not that your body isn’t giving signals - it’s that we’re still learning how to measure them more accurately.

NfL isn’t a replacement for imaging or clinical exams, and it’s not a stand-alone test.
But it may become an additional tool to help researchers and clinicians better understand disease activity over time.

If you want to learn:
👉 what NfL actually is
👉 how it’s being used in MS research
👉 and what it may (and may not) mean for people with MS

👇 Comment “ARTICLE” and I’ll send it to your DMs so you can read more for yourself.

Knowledge builds clarity — and clarity builds confidence. 🧡

multiple sclerosis biomarkers, neurofilament light chain MS, NfL blood test MS, nerve damage multiple sclerosis, MS disease activity, MS research biomarkers, MRI and MS symptoms, measuring MS progression, nervous system damage MS, MS research updates, understanding MS symptoms, living with multiple sclerosis

02/10/2026

If you have MS and your walking still looks “normal”…
but something FEELS off - this is an important moment to pause. 🧡

Because with MS, walking speed isn’t always the first thing to change.

Research is showing that balance and stability shifts often appear before noticeable changes in pace — even when everything looks fine on the surface.

That means:
👉 You can look steady
👉 You can keep up your pace
👉 And still have subtle nervous system changes happening underneath

It’s not that nothing is happening or you’re imaginging symptoms that aren’t there - it’s that your nervous system is communicating quietly at first.

This is exactly why I talk so much about how you move - not just how fast you move.

Balance, coordination, and stability give us early clues about what the nervous system is doing…
and they’re often the first place MS shows up in our mobility.

The good news? 🧡
These are also things we can train intentionally with MS-specific, neuroplasticity-based strategies - before bigger challenges take over (yes... even with a progressive disease like MS!)

I recently read an article that breaks this research down in a clear, practical way (without fear-mongering or medical jargon).

👇 Comment “ARTICLE” and I’ll send you the full recap so you can better understand what to watch for - and what to do next.

Small insights like this matter more than you think.

MSAwareness InvisibleSymptoms NervousSystemHealth MSResearch MSEducation ChronicIllnessLife LifeWithMS MSCommunity MSJourney Neuroplasticity

02/03/2026

If you’ve ever thought, “I have MS - I know I should exercise… I just don’t have the energy for one more thing,” this is for you.

As an MS-specialized physical therapist, there’s one thing I want to scream from the rooftops...

Movement with MS doesn’t have to mean carving out extra time, changing clothes, or doing a full workout 🙌

I’ve seen so many MSing Link members & clients with MS see improvements in their walking, balance, and overall feel more ease in their daily movement simply from doing single exercises throughout the day... when it fits into their energy level & their time.

Here’s what I’m showing in this video:
1️⃣ Hamstring curls — to support walking and leg control
2️⃣ Side steps — to work on hip strength and balance
3️⃣ Kick backs — to activate the muscles that help with stability
4️⃣ Squat hold — to build functional strength for daily movement
5️⃣ Weight shifting — to gently challenge balance

You can use moments you’re already standing - like brushing your teeth, washing your hands, waiting in line for coffee - to gently work on balance, strength, and confidence.

And if standing isn’t your strong suit right now...

Have no fear. There’s lots of seated movements just like these that you can fit into your day while you’re sitting on the couch, eating a snack or meal, at a coffee shop/restaurant, at work (I’ll post a video on these soon!)

Small moments add up.
And your movement still counts 🧡

Comment below ⬇️ if you’ll give one of these a try today — and which one!

MSMobility FunctionalMovement MSAwareness ChronicIllnessLife LifeWithMS MSCommunity MSWellness MSJourney MSSupport MovementThatCounts

Address

Rochester, NY
146XX (14604=DOWNTOWN)

Website

http://www.DoctorGretchenHawley.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS:

Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS