Patients dealing with multiple sclerosis need a lot of support to navigate their health concerns. The hurdles involved can be considerable but need not be insurmountable.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, when applied in specific ways, can play a significant role in achieving improvements for MS patients.
We, as practitioners, cannot achieve this result all alone. Patient participation is required.
Moreover, patients don’t usually have access to a 24/7 acupuncture service. So what can one do for oneself away from the clinic?
Exercise
To paraphrase one of my teachers, Dr. Ming Qing Zhu, “No movement, no life. Life is movement. Move your body.” Then, he shows the patient exactly which Daoyin is required for them to heal as rapidly and completely as possible (which is quite amazing to me).
“Daoyin,” as it is referred to in this context, involves physical movement and mental focus in combination with acupuncture techniques. This is the hallmark of Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture and at its very core.
As a general rule of thumb, some exercise is better than no exercise for humans. Get some whenever and however you can.
In my opinion, qigong, and taijiquan are appropriate additional choices for those with MS. They are adjustable to every ability level, work on strengthening and balancing simultaneously, and fulfill the meditative function, to boot.
Mindfulness Meditation
Meditation is perhaps the most empowering health improvement technique of our time. The above 10-minute guided meditation can get you started on the path toward a practice.
In multiple sclerosis, meditation becomes mission-critical. Why?
The MS patient benefits greatly from a better-regulated and less stressed neuroendocrine system. That’s huge for symptom management. Meditation can deliver this effect.
The choice of video or supporting technology is up to each individual and, of course, you may opt for none. Only the actual meditation matters.
I present the YouTube clip above as an example of the myriad ways to meditate (don’t feel tied to it). Please pick your favorite script, book, app, video, tape, CD, whatever, and go with it.
The point of it is to do it, regularly, daily. Small gains in this direction render big, measurable results (go ahead, prove me wrong).
Diet – Overcoming MS
Reading from the website, “Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis promotes a program of diet and lifestyle management that has been shown to improve the health and lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis. Professor George Jelinek, who was diagnosed with MS in 1999, developed the rigorously researched OMS Recovery Program more than 15 years ago.”
I highly recommend looking at this approach since my patients experience dramatic changes in their MS symptoms by adopting the diet. Anecdotal, yes, but also profound and convincing to us.
Diet must be emphasized in cases of MS, as it seems to be a critical factor for outcomes. The same could be said for many chronic conditions, I’m sure.
For contrast and comparison, see the TEDx talk by Terry Wahls https://youtu.be/KLjgBLwH3Wc and Roy Swank on diet for MS, here https://youtu.be/IjrVHSOgBWI.
National MS Society Northern California Chapter
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/CAN
A great informational resource and sponsor to fundraiser sporting events. Thousands of athletes each year help raise money for MS research. Many with MS walk and ride in these events.
Western Medicine Resources
http://multiplesclerosis.ucsf.edu
http://med.stanford.edu/neurology.html
Specialists in allopathic (neurology) approaches to multiple sclerosis, each producing high-quality research in their own right. These are the leading MS centers in the U.S.
MS Support Groups
http://www.dignityhealth.org/sacramento/services/neurological-care/classes–events/ms-support-groups
I encourage you to get into a support group if you don’t already partake. One of my patients said, “It’s one of the most important things I’ve ever done for my MS.”
The experience is a source of information, inspiration, and camaraderie.
MS Blogs
http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com
http://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/best-blogs-of-the-year#6
https://www.kwikmed.org/19-absolutely-outstanding-ms-blogs
Have a look at these, some are better than others. Not every flavor will appeal but, perchance, you may find a gem or two to relish.
Ultimately, the goal here is to empower you with information and the perspectives of others so you can learn from them and make more informed, more proactive decisions around your MS.