Dr. Gretchen Hawley PT, DPT, MSCS

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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.

10/19/2026

If you have MS and you're already bracing for the holidays... you're not alone in this 🧡

The travel. The long dinners. The extra plans and the endless decisions. It all adds up.

And that stress isn't just uncomfortable. It can make your other MS symptoms harder to manage too... because your body only has so much in the tank, and stress spends a lot of it.

This is the time of year I hear about it the most.

So this holiday season, I'm doing things a little differently 🙌

The last thing I want to do is add more pressure to an already full season. So instead of rushing you, I'm giving you time to plan.

Here's how it works:
✓ Details go public on November 9th 🗓️
✓ Priority list members get the full breakdown of my promotion first
✓ Plus early access to sign up, 2 hours before anyone else

Spots will be limited this year (75), so this gives you time to decide without the rush.

💬 Comment LIST and I'll send you all the details right away... so you can see if it's the right fit for you and your mobility.

You deserve a season you can actually be present for 🧡

10/15/2026

If you have MS and want to walk better, functional exercise is key ⬇️

Just because you trip over your feet when you walk, that doesn’t mean you necessarily have foot drop. It might actually be foot slap, like my client experienced!

Even though it’s the same muscle weakness, foot slap and foot drop present differently, which means the exercise you use should be different, too. 💡

Here’s an easy way to remember it:

💥 If it’s foot drop = Practice slowly lifting your foot up and down.
💥 If it’s foot slap = Practice slowly lowering your foot down and up.

It might seem like a super small distinction, but it makes a big difference and it’s the reason why my clients with MS see such big improvements in their strength and walking!

That’s why, when you have MS, it’s so important to focus on functional movement that targets your exact needs. 💪

When you target the right muscles in the *right* way, your brain and body have a much better chance of making real, lasting changes.

Will you try one of these exercises this week? Comment below! 💬





10/14/2026

If you’ve taken time off exercising because of MS and now feel like you’re starting over… this one’s for you 🧡

Feeling like a beginner doesn’t mean you’re starting from zero. I needed that reminder myself this weekend.

Since having my daughter five months ago, I’ve been trying to get back into a workout routine. And I feel like such a beginner.

Which is kind of funny, because I’m a physical therapist 🙋‍♀️

Before I was pregnant, working out was just a habit. Now the length, the type of workout, the time of day, the days of the week… what I used to do doesn’t work for me right now.

But on Sunday, I grabbed a heavy weight for one exercise just to see. I truly didn’t think I’d be able to do it.

And I could. I had a smile on my face the entire time 😊

My strength was still there. I just didn’t expect it to be, because I kept calling myself a beginner.

Now… my reason for feeling like a beginner is different from why someone with MS might feel that way. Maybe it’s after a relapse. Or a few weeks where fatigue took over. Or a season where exercise just wasn’t possible.

But here’s the thing…

→ Movements you’ve practiced before are often easier to relearn than they were to learn the first time. Your brain has already built those pathways through practice, so it isn’t building them from scratch.

→ So instead of asking “”how far behind am I?””… try asking “”what does consistency look like for me right now?””

Maybe that’s 10 minutes. Maybe it’s seated. Maybe it’s twice a week instead of five. That still counts 💪

Start with where you’re at, and build from there. That’s what I’m trying to do too.

Do you feel like a beginner right now? Yes or no 👇

10/13/2026

Sitting on the floor with MS can come with a quiet worry in the back of your mind... “”Will I be able to get back up?”” 🧡

Here’s something that might help.

Standing up from the ground is actually a bunch of smaller movements strung together.

And when you break it down, each piece becomes something you can practice on its own.

Here’s what that can look like 👇

1️⃣ Sitting → hands and knees
From sitting on your bottom with your legs out straight, roll toward your side and push up onto all fours.

2️⃣ Hands and knees → one foot forward
From all fours, bring one foot forward so you’re in a half-kneeling position (one knee down, one foot flat on the floor in front of you).

3️⃣ Rising from the lunge
Push up through that front leg to come up from the lunge.

4️⃣ Stepping the back foot forward
Bring your back foot up to meet your front foot so you’re standing.

Each of those can be its own exercise.

And if one feels too hard right now, make the movement smaller. For example... a mini lunge instead of a full lunge. Smaller still counts.

Here’s why this works...

Every time you practice a piece of the movement, your brain gets another chance to strengthen the wifi connection between your brain and your muscles for that exact movement. So when you put the pieces back together, it gets easier to do the whole thing.

You also don’t have to start on the floor! You can practice rolling onto your hands and knees on your bed. That way you’re still training the movement without worrying about getting stuck down there.

Because the goal isn’t a perfect workout. It’s being able to sit on the floor with your grandkids, garden, or play with your dog... and know you can get yourself back up. 🙌

If you have my book, I have photos in there showing two different ways to stand up from the ground. And if you’re inside The MSing Link, there’s a video of me demonstrating both options.

👇 Tell me in the comments... which daily movement do you want to feel easier?

10/12/2026

Not every mobility tool is right for you and your MS.

And that’s exactly what makes finding the right one so hard.

What works incredibly well for one person might not be the right fit for you at all. Because MS shows up differently in every body… your foot drop, your fatigue, your balance, your heat sensitivity are yours. So a product that’s perfect for someone else can do very little for you.

Which leaves you guessing. And hoping you don’t waste money on the wrong thing. 🧡

I hear it constantly. I’m an MS-specialized physical therapist, and over the years I’ve been asked about hundreds of products… for walking, foot drop, fatigue, heat sensitivity, and staying independent.

The same questions come up again and again:
→ Should I use a walking stick?
→ Would a cooling vest actually help? And if so, which one?
→ What devices help with foot drop?
→ What’s the best mobility aid for me?

So I put it all in one place.

I made a free MS Mobility Equipment Guide… many of the tools and devices I’ve found most helpful for people living with MS, the ones I’ve personally tested, all organized so you’re not starting your search from scratch. ✅

A gentle reminder: your own provider or PT can help you figure out what’s right for your body and your goals.

My hope is that it makes your search a little easier.

Want it? Comment “”GUIDE”” below and I’ll send you a free copy. 💃

You’re not alone in this. 🧡

10/09/2026

I sent a feedback form to all of my MSing Link members because I want to know what’s working, what you’re loving, and what we can do to help you love the program even more… and I just couldn’t wait to dive in & see what was being said 😅

The MSing Link has never been a “set it and forget it” program.

People with MS deserve a program that keeps growing with them, so we’re always looking for ways to make it better, and the best way to do that is to ask the people inside it!

I read every response myself & I love reading them because they remind me why I took that leap of faith almost 8 years ago to start The MSing Link and meet people with MS where they’re at… no matter what country they live in.

Your feedback doesn’t just get read and filed away. We’re already making adjustments based on what you’ve shared, so if you filled out the form, thank you. You’re helping shape what The MSing Link looks like for every member.

And if you have MS and you’re not inside The MSing Link yet, comment LINK and I’ll send you the link to learn more and see if it’s a good fit for you & your goals.

10/08/2026

If you have MS, you’ve probably wondered... what if the damage could actually be repaired? 🤔

It’s one of the questions I get asked most. And with every headline calling something a “”breakthrough,”” I know it’s hard to know what to trust.

So let’s talk about the new study everyone’s asking me about...

Researchers looked at a compound called CN045.

First, a quick refresher:

Myelin is the coating that protects the wifi connection between your brain and your muscles. When MS damages it, those signals slow down... which can lead to MS symptoms.

Your brain actually has repair cells that can make new myelin. But in MS, a lot of them get “stuck”and never finish growing up.

In this study, CN045 helped those stuck cells finish growing into myelin-making cells.

And in mice, that led to some myelin repair.

That’s a pretty promising finding!

Here’s where it actually stands:

→ It’s only been tested in cells and mice, not people
→ The researchers say it still needs more work before it could even move toward human studies
→ And even if a myelin drug works someday, it wouldn’t make MS go away

Because protecting the wifi connection is only half of it. Your brain and your muscles still have to practice talking to each other... and that connection can get stronger with repetition.

That part doesn’t have to wait for a new drug.

Not to get “ fit”... but so you can walk to the mailbox. Get dressed standing up. Stand at the counter long enough to cook dinner.

As an MS-specialized physical therapist, I’ll always cheer on new research. And I’ll always be honest with you about where it actually stands. 🧡

👇 Comment “ARTICLE”and I’ll send you the full study.

*As of October 8th, 2026 this is the most up to date information available.

10/07/2026

Do you have Multiple Sclerosis and ever wondered, “Why hasn’t exercise or PT really stuck for me?” - you’re not alone. 🧡

That’s exactly why we asked our MSing Link community a simple question:

What actually feels different about this program… and what have you noticed changing?

Their answers shared a few consistent themes 👇
→ feeling hopeful again
→ doing things that once felt out of reach
→ standing up from the floor or a chair with more confidence
→ staying consistent - without pushing or overdoing it

Not overnight.
Not magically.
But steadily… and in ways that matter for daily life.

💡 Progress with MS isn’t about forcing your body - it’s about giving your nervous system the right support.

The MSing Link isn’t built around extreme workouts.
It’s grounded in MS-specific, neuroplasticity-based exercise that supports:
✅ walking
✅ balance
✅ strength
✅ real-life movement

And maybe most importantly - feeling supported while you do it. 🧡

If you’ve tried exercise or PT before and didn’t see lasting change…
or you’re simply curious if this approach could meet you where you are right now:

👇 Comment “LINK” and we’ll send you more information so you can explore it at your own pace.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. 🧡

multiple sclerosis exercise, MS physical therapy experience, why exercise doesn’t work MS, MS-specific exercise program, neuroplasticity and MS, MS mobility support, walking and balance MS, strength training with MS, exercise consistency MS, nervous system support MS, real-life movement MS, managing MS symptoms, living well with MS, MS fatigue and exercise

10/05/2026

Multiple Sclerosis can make walking feel harder... even after you’ve been exercising consistently.

And that can be incredibly discouraging.

You’re showing up.
You’re doing the workouts.
You’re putting in the effort.

So why does walking still feel harder sometimes? 🤔

Here’s what’s often happening 👇

With MS, fatigue isn’t just “tired muscles.”
It’s nervous system fatigue. That means your brain and spinal cord are working harder to send signals to your muscles.

If exercise isn’t matched to how your nervous system is currently functioning, it can:

→ increase that nervous system fatigue
→ temporarily amplify symptoms
→ make walking feel heavier afterward

That doesn’t mean exercise is bad.
And it doesn’t mean you failed.

It usually means the dose or type of exercise needs adjusting.

Because with MS, the goal isn’t to “push through.”

It’s to train your nervous system in a way that supports walking, not competes with it.

If you’re not sure where to start, my free 5-Day MS Strength Challenge is a super helpful first step. You’ll get:

✓ short daily lessons on why regular exercise often falls short with MS
✓ guided exercise challenges that take just 2-6 minutes
✓ a bonus exercise class + a tracker to see your progress
✓ a final 35-minute class to bring it all together

It’s a gentle way to start moving in a way that’s built for MS... so a walk to the mailbox doesn’t cost you the rest of your day. 🧡

👇 Comment “CHALLENGE” and I’ll send you the link to join for free.

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Rochester, NY
146XX (14604=DOWNTOWN)

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