What does the MS hug feel like?

text saying What is the MS Hug and a picture of the guests of the podcast

22 September 2025

What does the MS hug feel like? Banding tightness, rib cramps, stitch sensations, girdling pains, and how to deal with it.

In this episode of the MS Trust Podcast, we explore the MS Hug—one of the most confusing and uncomfortable symptoms of multiple sclerosis. From tight banding and rib cramps to stitch-like pain and breathlessness, we unpack what it feels like, why it happens, and how to manage it. Neurologist Kate Petheram joins us to explain the science behind the symptom, and we hear from people living with MS who share their personal experiences and tips for coping with this unwelcome embrace.

Episode notes

MS Hug - information from the MS Trust
Pain in MS - information from the MS Trust
Stream for MS - fundraising challenge from the MS Trust

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What does the MS hug feel like? Rib cramps, stitch sensations, and how to deal with it

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