Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as it is usually called, results from damage to the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. The cause of this is not known, it may be a genetic disorder, or caused by a virus. About one person in every 2,000 is affected, with a higher proportion of women. It may began begin as tingling, numbness or weakness affecting an arm or leg or one side of the body. Sometimes, symptoms include double vision, or blurring vision. The attack may happen only once and may never re-occur, but in most cases, it runs a course of relapses and remissions over many years. Weakness, difficulty in walking, slurred speech, loss of balance and loss of bladder control are some of the significant problems.
The Chinese Medicine diagnosis is a general weakness of the whole body; especially the kidneys, which causes the central nervous system to malfunction and results in wastage of the muscles. Acupuncture can be used to improve the circulation, stimulates the nervous system and helps the muscles. Herbs will deal with kidney and stomach weakness, revitalizing them to stop deterioration. When the kidneys are weak, they cannot process the nutrients in the body, and the central nervous system is starved. Medicine will tonify the kidneys and spleen.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious problem; treatment should begin as soon as it is diagnosed. The earlier it is caught, the better the prognosis. The problems associated with the complaint- kidney and bladder infections and blurred vision, etc. MS can respond well to Chinese Medicine treatment and the progress of the treatment itself is a long-term controlled therapy, but it is one of the conditions where Chinese Medicine has had much more success than Western medicine.
My general recommendation to all MS patients in this clinic is to follow the six points of the natural healing program which include:
1) Herbal remedies – e.g. huang qi (astragali), dang gui, ginseng, etc.
2) A proper diet – e.g. gluten-free diet.
3) Supplementary vitamins and use of coenzyme Q10 and primrose oil.
4) Exercise. If you have mild to moderate MS, regular exercise can help improve your strength, muscle tone, balance and coordination. Swimming or other water exercises are good options if you’re bothered by heat. Other types of mild to moderate exercise recommended for people with MS include walking, stretching, low-impact aerobics, stationary bicycling, qi gong, yoga and tai chi.
5) Relieve stress. Stress may trigger or worsen your signs and symptoms. Yoga, tai chi, massage, meditation or deep breathing may help.
6) Acupuncture.