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Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neuromuscular disorder that causes the disability of nerves and muscles supplied by these nerves. Multiple sclerosis (M.S.) is reported as “the most widespread disabling neurological condition of young adults worldwide.” Approximately 200 new M.S. are diagnosed weekly in the U.S. alone. In multiple sclerosis, the components of the immune system start to damage the myelin sheath of nerve fibers that protects the nerves. It results in problems regarding the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and other body parts.
Multiple Sclerosis can cause muscular, vision, postural, and other disorders related to the central nervous system. In severe cases where remission does not occur, multiple sclerosis can cause degeneration and dysfunction of nerves. In some people, prolonged remission stages may occur in which clinical features of the disease may be mild or absent.
The etiology of this disease includes the destruction of myelin sheath by the immune system. Myelin sheath surrounds the neurons and acts as a protective cover. Damage to the myelin sheath results in nerve damage and degeneration.
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms & Signs
M.S. expresses itself in different ways in different people. However, the following are some of the more typically reported adverse effects:
- Bladder and Bowel Issues –These are unfortunate side symptoms that affect an estimated 80% of M.S. patients, but the former is significantly more common than the latter. Urinating often is fairly common, as is having difficulty retaining one’s pee.
- Cognitive Symptoms –Memory loss, poor attention span, and speaking difficulties impact roughly half of the M.S. patients.
- Muscle Spasms or Pain – Chronic pain is sadly all too frequent.
- Mental health– Depression and anxiety are typical mental health symptoms among M.S. patients. Please see a medical expert if you are suffering from one or both of these problems. You are not alone, and there are solutions to these issues.
- Tingling or numbness – When your central nervous system (CNS) isn’t working properly, your brain won’t receive messages from your body. Numbness or tingling may occur as a result of this.
- Visual abnormalities – One of M.S.’s first and most prevalent symptoms is blurry or double vision, which can progress to complete vision loss in some instances.
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Causes of MS
The cause of this M.S. is autoimmunity. The risk factors of Multiple Sclerosis are not clearly defined, but genetics and smoking may have a role in the disease’s causation. Female gender, 20-40 years of age, family history, and low vitamin D levels also have a role in this disease. Viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 6 can cause Multiple Sclerosis because these viruses affect nerve fibers. These infections may cause triggering or relapse of Multiple Sclerosis.
Diagnosis
No specific tests are available for diagnosis. However, some investigations may help that include CBC, lumbar puncture, MRI, and electromyogram.
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
M.S. has no cure, but medications and other remedies may help to control symptoms, decrease the severity and induce remission in the disease course. Medications include corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, muscle relaxants, and immunomodulatory drugs. Other remedies include chiropractic techniques, massage, stretching exercises, and a balanced diet.
How Chiropractic Techniques can help patients with MS
According to chiropractic practitioners, if the vertebrae are not in the correct position, they can apply pressure to nearby nerves, resulting in various problems and complications. The organs and muscles supplied by these nerves have functional disorders due to compromised neural supplies. Chiropractic techniques can help reduce inflammation and positively affect the function of nerves and organs supplied by these nerves by making adjustments manually or via specialized tools.
The function of chiropractic techniques in treating multiple sclerosis has not been clearly defined yet. However, it can help to relieve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and some medical problems and conditions associated with M.S. You can understand this by taking an example of a foot drop caused by M.S. In patients with foot drops caused by M.S., chiropractors can relieve pain and swelling associated with the foot drop. At the same time, medical specialists can treat foot drops by pharmacological or surgical interventions.
Chiropractic Care, a Complementary Treatment in combination with Pharmacological Treatment
Although there is no cure for M.S. at present, a combination of upper cervical chiropractic care and pharmacological agents can help treat the symptoms of the disease, induce remission and slow the progress of multiple sclerosis. So, keeping in mind the options available for treating multiple sclerosis, the best way to treat patients suffering from M.S. is to combine both pharmacological agents and chiropractic techniques. Lifestyle measures and dietary modifications also have an essential place in treating patients with multiple sclerosis.
Inflammation affects all the patients having M.S., which manifests as pain and swelling. The mobility of the patients with M.S. is severely decreased and is one of the most common problems that affect the patients’ quality of life. The mobility of joints decreases as the disease progresses. In severe cases, the mobility of all four limbs and even fingers and toes is also compromised. The underlying reason for decreased motility is the inability of muscles and joints to work due to compromised nerve supply. The joints and muscles develop spasms, and it is difficult to move such joints, and severe pain also occurs due to these spasms.
The patients suffering from M.S. who already have compromised activity and disturbed life quality find it challenging to take many medications. It causes both psychological and financial burdens on the patients. Alternative therapies such as massage and chiropractic techniques can surely help to relieve these symptoms. Taking many medications can disturb your kidney and renal function which can be even more disturbing and fat for the patients.
Chiropractic techniques positively affect the symptoms and problems caused by MS. Patients who receive chiropractic therapy report increased energy levels, more stamina and endurance, decreased pain, better muscle control, and increased range of motion of joints. All these effects can boost the confidence of the patient and improve mental health. This is important for patients suffering from chronic diseases like M.S. because chronic diseases severely affect the patient’s mental health.
Research has shown that correcting M.S. patients’ subluxations with chiropractic adjustments, particularly those focusing on the upper cervical area, improves their symptoms…sometimes dramatically. The best thing is that this therapy method does not rely on attempting to discover medicine that works, which a plus is given that there are presently just 12 FDA-approved treatments for M.S.
In the end, correcting the underlying spinal dysfunction improves the quality of life of the individual suffering from this ailment.
Pharmacological Options:
Treatments for M.S. attacks:
Corticosteroids and plasmapheresis are the mainstays of treatment of M.S. attacks. Corticosteroids help to reduce nerve inflammation during acute attacks. Plasmapheresis, also known as plasma exchange, includes the administration of plasma into the bloodstream. Blood is taken from the body in this treatment, and its plasma is separated from blood cells. This plasma is then injected back into your blood.
Treatments to modify the progression:
Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) is the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This drug results in decreasing the progression of the disease and severity of symptoms. For relapsing-remitting M.S., various disease-modifying agents are available, which include the following:
Immune responses are hyperactive during the early stages of the disease, so aggressive treatment with the following medication will reduce the severity, progression, and formation of lesions and prevent disability associated with the disease.
Treatment options for relapsing-remitting M.S. include the following:
Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus):
It is a monoclonal antibody drug and is the only approved treatment for primary and relapsing-remitting M.S. It reduces the frequency of relapses and prevents the worsening of disability.
Interferon Beta Medications:
These medications are usually given subcutaneously or intramuscularly, reducing the frequency of relapses and severity of symptoms. Careful monitoring of liver function tests is required during treatment with this drug because it can cause liver damage.
Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Glatopa):
It is given subcutaneously and can help to block immune-mediated responses that are the underlying cause of multiple sclerosis. Its side effects are mild such as skin irritation at the injection site.
Fingolimod (Gilenya):
It is an oral medication and is taken once daily. It can cause decreased heart rate and blood pressure, so you should monitor blood pressure and heart rate at least six hours after administration.
Other pharmacological treatment options include the following:
- Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
- Diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
- Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
- Siponimod (Mayzent)
- Natalizumab (Tysabri)
- Alemtuzumab (Campath, Lemtrada)
- Other Non-Pharmacological Treatments of MS:
Medicinal Cannabis: Medicinal cannabis is found to help treat some of the symptoms associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Research has shown that medicinal cannabis can help to slow disease progression and relapse. Medicinal cannabis works in patients with multiple sclerosis by acting on two G-protein-coupled receptors, which are CB1 receptors (found in CNS) and CB2 receptors (located in immune cells).
Physical therapy: Physical therapy can reduce the symptoms of M.S. because it helps to increase the muscle strength through various stretching and strengthening exercises. It increases the mobility and range of motion of various muscles in your body.
Massage therapy: Massage can also help patients with M.S. sclerosis because when you put pressure on somebody's points, it relieves fatigue and enhances energy to perform various tasks.
Dietary Changes: Some foods can help patients with multiple sclerosis by relieving their symptoms and reducing the formation of lesions. Omega 3 fatty acids are one the most valuable substances to have documented positive benefits in patients with MS. Omega 3-rich foods include salmon, mackerel, and fish. Other foods that can help include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Food items to avoid in M.S. include dairy products with high-fat content, salty items, and saturated fats.
Exercise: Different types of exercise that can be performed at home or gym without occupational or physical therapists can increase the prognosis associated with MS. Aerobic exercises, Jogging, Yoga, and walking can benefit people with M.S.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Georgia MS Treatment
If you have been suffering from debilitating and undignifying multiple sclerosis symptoms then please get in contact with our office at 770-614-9444 and schedule an appointment so we can get you some relief. Our caring and compassionate staff understands the pain and emotional anguish caused by this disease as we have helped thousands of patients reduce their pain and get back to living fuller and healthier lives. Don’t just take our word for it, watch this fantastic testimonial from one of our amazing patients.
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