ACUPUNCTURE BODY & MIND CARE CLINIC (Deer Lake) ACUPUNCTURE BODY & MIND CARE CLINIC (Deer Lake)

TCM ACUPUNCTURE & MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex condition that currently affects approximately 400,000 people in the United States with 200 more people diagnosed every week.      This chronic disease causes uncomfortable, sometimes debilitating symptoms that can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks.

An unpredictable condition!                                                                                          The exact causes of MS are not entirely understood, and there is currently no cure, though there have been many advances in treatment in recent years. Western medicine considers MS an autoimmune condition: a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.                                                                            In the case of MS, the immune system starts attacking and breaking down a substance called myelin, the sheath that surrounds the nerve fibers of the central nervous system(CNS). Myelin increases the speed of the transmission of nerve signals.

When myelin becomes ''broken" or destroyed, nerve impulses are slowed down, leading to a progression of nerve-related problems. When these nerve fibers become damaged, symptoms can result, including:                                                                      Blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, fatigue, memory problems, numbness or weakness of the limbs, weak urinary bladder, ...

The symptoms of MS vary from person to person, can range from minor to severe and can even disappear for a period of time only to flare up unexpectedly.

TREATMENT OPTIONS:                                                                                              Depending upon your symptoms and the progression of the disease, your doctor may suggest medications designed to slow the disease and/or medication for the symptoms.                               

It is important to take an active role in your treatment. More and more, people living with MS are choosing to complement their regular treatments with Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental medicine(TOM).                                                                              Acupuncture & TCM can provide a safe, natural way for those living with MS to stay as healthy as possible. Including TCM Acupuncture along with other modalities in your treatment plan can help boost your overall health and relieve some symptoms.    TCM practitioners/Acupuncturists view MS differently than Conventional medicine practitioners, taking into account each individual's overall health, lifestyle and emotional well-being, not just their symptoms.

Oriental Medicine is based on the concept that Qi or vital energy, flows through the body in channels called meridians. If Qi/Vital energy becomes stagnant, unbalanced or deficient, symptoms such as those linked to MS can result. This can occur for any number of reasons, from an inherited constitutional imbalance or illness to stress or an external invader such as Wind or Dampness. 

Your registered Acupuncturist will work to determine the condition at the root of your symptoms in order to create a treatment plan. For example, the muscular stiffness and numbness associated with MS are often related to excessive dampness within the meridians, or a deficiency in the Liver and Kidney organ systems.

Based on their TCM diagnosis, your Acupuncturist will work to balance the Qi/vital energy in the body's organ systems by manipulating corresponding points on the body with hair-thin acupuncture needles. While Acupuncture treatments alone can't cure MS, it has been found to be particularly useful in managing symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms and urinary bladder problems.

Self-Care for MS                                                                                                             MS can have an impact on every part of your life. To help support both your physical and emotional well-being, your practitioner may suggest some of these lifestyle changes and self-care techniques.

Herbal remedies:                                                                                                              Your acupuncturist may provide some herbs or nutritional supplements designed to help relieve symptoms and boost your overall health. 

Exercise:                                                                                                                            Yoga and Qi Gong can help improve strength, balance and depression. Consider adding gentle aerobic exercise as well to improve your overall health and reduce stress.                                                                                       

Stress relief:                                                                                                                      Stress can exacerbate symptoms and cause other health problems, so it's important to keep your stress levels in check. Meditation or deep-breathing techniques can help you stay calm and relaxed.   

Detox Therapy:                                                                                                                The ionic detoxification system is based on the use of a microcurrent to facilitate the movement of transfer of ions into the cells through their membrane. This aims to restore the balance between the positive and negative charges of the cells to optimize the membrane electrical potential.

MS is a serious condition, but many people with MS live long, happy, fulfilled lives. Acupuncture and TCM can provide the support you need to cope with MS and its effects. If you or someone you love is facing MS, contact us or visit our website: www.acupuncturebmclinic.com