Boca Raton Boca Raton Specific Chiropractic May Help Multiple Sclerosis Patients

 

According to WebMD:

 

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a long-lasting disease that can affect your brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves in your eyes. It can cause problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions.

 

The effects are often different for everyone who has the disease. Some people have mild symptoms and don’t need treatment. Others will have trouble getting around and doing daily tasks.

MS happens when your immune system attacks a fatty material called myelin, which wraps around your nerve fibers to protect them. Without this outer shell, your nerves become damaged. Scar tissue may form.

 

While Specific Chiropractic does not directly treat multiple sclerosis (MS),  it may help increase your ability to overcome these symptoms by decreasing stress to your nervous system and improving overall function. When a misalignment in your neck is found to be causing stress to your nervous system and neighboring blood vessels it must be corrected. A vertebral subluxation may contribute to stress in your nervous system and blood vessels that supply your head and neck with nutrient rich blood. If corrected properly by an Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractor the patient may attain postive outcomes in their overall health. 

 

Our doctors in Boca Raton may help multiple sclerosis and offer relief through their specific approach to health care. According to research MS patients respond well to Upper Cervical Care and Specific Chiropractic. 

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers, causing inflammation and damage. This damage disrupts the transmission of signals between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to a wide range of symptoms that vary depending on the individual and the areas of the nervous system affected.

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Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

The symptoms of MS can differ widely and may worsen over time. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue: A common symptom, often described as overwhelming tiredness that interferes with daily activities.

• Muscle Weakness or Spasms: This can lead to difficulties with mobility, balance, and coordination.

• Numbness or Tingling: Often felt in the limbs, face, or other parts of the body.

• Visual Disturbances: Blurred vision, double vision, or even partial or complete loss of vision in one eye.

• Pain: Many people with MS experience chronic pain, which can be neuropathic (nerve pain) or musculoskeletal.

• Cognitive Changes: Problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving.

• Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction: Urinary urgency, frequency, or difficulty emptying the bladder.

• Mood Changes: Depression and anxiety are common in people with MS.

Medical Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis

Although there is no cure for MS, there are treatments that can help manage symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve quality of life. Common treatments include:

1. Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs):

   • Injectable Medications: Drugs such as interferon beta (Avonex, Rebif) and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) are often used to reduce the frequency and severity of MS relapses.

   • Oral Medications: Medications like fingolimod (Gilenya), dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), and teriflunomide (Aubagio) can help manage MS by reducing immune activity and slowing disease progression.

   • Infusion Therapies: Medications such as natalizumab (Tysabri) and ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) are given by IV infusion and work by targeting specific immune cells involved in the disease process.

2. Symptomatic Treatment:

   • Corticosteroids: Used to reduce inflammation and treat acute MS relapses. High-dose corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, methylprednisolone) are commonly prescribed during flare-ups.

   • Muscle Relaxants: Medications like baclofen and tizanidine can help manage muscle spasticity.

   • Pain Management: Neuropathic pain medications such as gabapentin or pregabalin can be used to manage nerve pain.

   • Antidepressants: Sometimes prescribed to manage mood changes and depression associated with MS.

3. Physical and Occupational Therapy:

   • Physical Therapy: Helps improve mobility, strength, and balance, often through exercise programs tailored to the individual’s specific needs.

   • Occupational Therapy: Assists individuals in adapting their environment and routines to maintain independence and improve quality of life.

4. Lifestyle and Complementary Approaches:

   • Diet and Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may support overall health and energy levels.

   • Exercise: Regular, gentle exercise like yoga, swimming, or walking can help manage symptoms and improve well-being.

   • Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and counseling can be beneficial for managing the mental and emotional aspects of MS.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic May Help with Multiple Sclerosis

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine (the atlas and axis vertebrae) that may interfere with nervous system function. While not a treatment for MS itself, upper cervical chiropractic can offer support by enhancing nervous system health, potentially reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being.

Potential Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic for MS Management

1. Improved Nervous System Communication:

   • Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can place pressure on the brainstem and affect the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Correcting these misalignments may relieve pressure and improve communication between the brain and body, which could potentially benefit individuals with MS by supporting nervous system health.

2. Enhanced Circulation and Fluid Flow:

   • The upper cervical spine plays a role in blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow. Proper alignment may promote better circulation, which is important for overall brain health and may help reduce symptoms like brain fog or cognitive issues associated with MS.

3. Reduced Inflammation:

   • Upper cervical adjustments may help reduce inflammation in the body, which can benefit individuals with autoimmune conditions like MS. By relieving stress on the nervous system, chiropractic care can promote a more balanced immune response.

4. Pain and Symptom Management:

   • While upper cervical chiropractic cannot cure MS, it may help alleviate some symptoms, such as muscle pain, tension, and headaches. Adjustments can help the body function in a more balanced state, which may improve comfort and reduce some of the physical symptoms associated with MS.

Medical Treatment vs. Upper Cervical Chiropractic for MS

• Medical treatment: Focuses on reducing the frequency and severity of relapses, slowing disease progression, and managing specific symptoms with medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

• Upper cervical chiropractic: A holistic approach that aims to improve spinal alignment and nervous system function. While not a direct treatment for MS, it may complement traditional treatments by supporting overall health, potentially reducing pain, improving fluid flow, and alleviating stress on the nervous system.