Multiple Sclerosis

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or M.S. is one which many people dread because we associate it with slow and progressive deterioration into disability. In fact, only a minority of those with M.S. will suffer its most crippling effects and there is much you can do to stay healthy and lead a normal life in spit of this disease.

M.S. occurs as a result of damage to the nerve fibres of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). This happens when the sheath of fatty tissue or myelin which insulates the nerves is attacked and becomes inflamed. Different people will have different symptoms, depending on which nerves have been damaged. The most common age of diagnosis is late 20’s to mid 30’s.

M.S. symptoms are caused by patches of “demyelination” (scarring) in the central nervous system and, depending on which nerves are scarred, movement, touch and sensation may be affected. M.S. is a very variable condition, but early symptoms often include tingling sensations or numbness which may affect a hand or foot – sometimes described as “walking on cotton wool”.

Other common symptoms are blurred or double vision, weakness or clumsiness of a limb, giddiness or lack of balance, disproportionate fatigue and the need to pass water frequently or urgently. Sometimes these symptoms simply disappear, never to be experienced again, but they may recur and worsen in a series of “attacks” that may end in serious disability.

Researchers have been looking for the causes of M.S. for years, so far without success. It could be that a virus causes the inflammation of the myelin sheath, or inherited factors could be to blame. Complementary practitioners have linked M.S. to weakness of the nervous system which may be caused by stress, shock, infection or toxic metals. Another theory is that M.S. Is linked to the effects of radiation from the sun.

The Orthodox Approach

There is no conclusive test for M.S. and it often takes time – and a period of anxiety – before it is suggested. Orthodox physicians treat symptoms as they arise, using a number of techniques. Steroid drugs may be given to treat the condition as a whole and these can stabilize symptoms by tackling inflammation. Other drugs are often prescribed to treat individual symptoms, such as muscle relaxants for spasms and analgesic drugs if there is pain. Physiotherapy is also an important technique in the mainstream management of M.S.

The Hale Approach

Any symptoms that are obviously related to the nervous system, such as double vision, loss of co-ordination, etc, or any persistent problem that does not resolve, may have a neurological basis. Aches and pains, numbness or tingling should be taken to a physician, who may well recommend consultation with a neurological specialist. Once a diagnosis of M.S. has been made, complementary medical opinion should be considered first line, since these therapies are aiming at a cure, whereas orthodox treatments deal with the symptoms and hope for a remission. If your physician has prescribed steroids, do not stop the treatment without medical supervision.

Advising on a treatment for M.S. is complicated because the condition can be aggravated by many factors, such as poor nutrition, stress, weak elimination, toxic metals, or weakness in the nervous system. Also, assessing the improvement is not easy as spontaneous remissions are part of the pathology of M.S.

The Hale Clinic approach would first address the nutrition/allergy aspect and recommend colonic irrigation to detoxify the system. This would be followed by homeopathy or Ayurveda combined with marma massage to build up the constitution generally. Marma treatment plays a very important role in the treatment of M.S., by clearing obstructions from the nerve fibres and co-ordinating body and brain. Healing can complement these therapies, helping the patient both physically and mentally, while Bach flowers, aromatherapy, yoga, and T’ai Chi play their part as supportive treatments.

Homeopathy

Homeopaths begin by treating M.S. constitutionally. This means looking at the individual, establishing the nature of their constitution and prescribing a remedy which matches how they are when well, to stimulate their normal state.

After that, a whole range of homeopathic remedies can help to support self-healing. For instance, if there is an exacerbation of symptoms or a loss of physical control, Aconite could be taken in the first six hours, followed by Phosphorus.

In the very early stages or when M.S. is first diagnosed, Lathyrus may help. Agaricus can alleviate pain. The snake and spider poison remedies may be beneficial (such as Lachesis).

However, for homeopathy to work properly, accurate prescription by a qualified homeopath is essential.

Colonic Hydrotherapy

Colonic irrigation offers the benefits of detoxifying the body, says one therapist: “In turn this helps the body’s absorption of nutrients, allowing the body to feed and repair tissues – which can halt the progress of M.S.”. And when M.S. has caused paralysis in the bowel, colonics can also help by bringing back some movement to the bowel.

Nutrition and Naturopathy

Nutritional therapy can be used to modify and strengthen the immune system. This is helpful in treating M.S., in which the body’s immune system has turned upon itself.

Marma Massage

A recent pilot study has shown promising results in the treatment of chronic stoke patients for this ancient system of Indian health care, and similar techniques are employed in the treatment of M.S. Ayurvedic doctors observed that there are 107 “junction boxes” or points in the body where the nerves and muscles meet. These marma points lie deep within the body and, as they are directly connected to the nervous system, they link the body and brain.

Ayurveda

Healing

Healing can help in the early stages of M.S., working directly on the nervous system, and patients can expect alleviation of symptoms, stabilization of the condition or remission.

Supportive Treatments

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy massage helps to calm the nervous system. The properties of the essential oils chosen for the treatment will reflect the patient’s needs, offering emotional and physical support. Oils may be uplifting, antispasmodic, and stimulating to the circulation.

Remedial Yoga

Yoga has a range of benefits for people with M.S., both physical and mental, strengthening muscles, stimulating nervous-system response, and stretching out constricted muscles. It also increases blood and lymph circulation, which can become sluggish if M.S. has reduced muscle tone. Mentally, yoga teaches us how to utilize the strength derived from the breath, re-establishes our sense of control over our bodies, and centres and calms the mind.

Acupuncture

There is no “cure” as such for M.S., but acupuncture can help relieve the pain that often accompanies this illness, improving general well-being and making life more bearable. This is a slow and long drawn-out process, however, and may involve weekly treatments over the course of perhaps a year, with regular follow-up treatments after that.

Chi Kung

These gentle exercises, which can be practiced at home as self-help therapy, may also be used to relieve pain. More fundamentally, though, Chi Kung and T’ai Chi are about restoring balance to the whole body. For M.S., the “first Chi Kung” exercises are particularly beneficial.