How Much Neurological Disability Could be Prevented with Early Intervention?

Learn how disability in neurological is preventable, why people fall through the cracks, and what you can do so you don't.

By: Mariska Breland ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

It's Probably Higher than You Think

Recently, I was sitting with my orthotist, brainstorming (again) how to deal with my ankle-that-just-won’t-play-nice. I asked him:

“If someone with MS, post-stroke, or post-polio had been seen by an expert in movement right after diagnosis, how much of their current disability could have been avoided?”

Without missing a beat, he said,
“70 percent. Easily 70 percent.”

That number stuck with me. But is it realistic? I asked my neuro physical therapist the same question. She didn’t have a percentage, but she agreed: neurological populations are among the most underserved, and a huge chunk of disability is avoidable with early, expert intervention.

What Does the Science Say About Preventable Disability?

While there isn’t a single, universal percentage for how much disability in neurological conditions can be prevented, research consistently shows that early, targeted physical therapy and exercise can dramatically slow progression and improve quality of life.

• Multiple Sclerosis: Studies suggest that early physical therapy and exercise can help maintain mobility, reduce falls, and delay disability. The exact percentage is debated, but experts agree that timely intervention can prevent or delay significant disability in many cases.
• Stroke: According to the American Heart Association, early rehabilitation can improve functional outcomes by up to 70% in some cases — especially when it starts within days of the stroke. For chronic stroke survivors, ongoing therapy still makes a big difference.
• Parkinson’s and Other Neurological Conditions: Early exercise and physical therapy are linked to better mobility, balance, and independence. While numbers vary, the consensus is clear: movement matters, and the earlier, the better.

Bottom line:
While “70 percent” might be optimistic for every case, the evidence is strong that early, expert intervention can prevent a substantial amount of disability — especially when compared to doing nothing.

Why Aren’t We Doing More to Prevent Disability?

It’s shocking — and unacceptable — that so many people with neurological conditions aren’t connected with the right resources early on. I routinely see people (even healthy ones) with aches, pains, and injuries caused by moving wrong for years, with no one to guide them.

That’s why the Neuro Studio exists. It's Meghann and my goal to have trained teachers to reach patients early on in their journey with our training programs. We hope fitness professionals, physical therapists, and the medical system will step up. Any preventable disability is too much.

My Personal Wish List

I wish someone had screamed at me to do ankle range-of-motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises from the start. Why? Because your feet are the farthest from your brain on the nerve pathway, and the first to show problems when nerve conduction falters.

After my foot drop “mostly resolved” 21 years ago, I wish someone had sent me to a physical therapist who could have spotted improper ankle biomechanics before they became orthopedic problems. I wish I’d had fitness teachers who knew how to work with MS and could tell me what to work on — even when I felt fine.

I’m lucky I found Pilates when I did. It’s kept me strong, flexible, and reasonably balanced. But there are still things that went wrong that didn’t have to.

What Can We Do?

I was diagnosed with MS in 2002. I’ve never stopped exercising. It’s easier to prevent problems than to fix them. Everyone I know with a neurological condition who’s doing well is moving regularly.

There’s no handbook that says, “Do this, not that.” But we can do better. As a society, we’re failing people with chronic conditions if we don’t make sure they’re informed and equipped with the best tools to prevent disability.

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