Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a horrible disease of the central nervous system. It attacks a substance called myelin which sheaths the nerves. There is interference with messages and signals between the brain and the body. This results in a wide variety of symptoms depending on the nerves effected. Often the symptoms become such that the patient becomes confined to a wheel chair due to loss of balance and motor control. Loss of bladder and bowel control contributes to the emotional sense of helplessness and depression in the patients. There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis at this time, nor is there any absolute certainty as to its cause.

Interestingly, Multiple Sclerosis was virtually unknown in China until 30 years ago. Around that time, cases began to appear in some of the larger cities. Early studies attributed the cause of the disease to the stress of modern living and the pollution common in larger cities. A careful review of available clinical studies and papers concerning Traditional Chinese Medicine's view of the causation, prognosis, and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, reveals that there is still some disagreement. It is clear, however, Chinese Medicine offers no claims of being able to cure the disease.

The use of acupuncture in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is geared toward two goals. The first is to bring as much relief of the symptoms as possible. The second goal is to enable the patient to be able to manage the disease in a way that allows them to fully experience the joy and splendor of human existence. There are many indications that these goals have a good chance of success through a combined approach of acupuncture, diet restriction, and mild exercise.

Acupuncture treatments for Multiple Sclerosis have had much success in reducing pain and decreasing spasticity. Another area of success is improved bladder and bowel control. The reduction of stress and the improved feeling of well being contribute to an improvement in quality of life. The acupuncture treatments must be given frequently in order to maintain the improvements of symptoms, but Multiple Sclerosis is known for its cycles of remission. During periods of remission, the frequency of the acupuncture treatments can be reduced.

The reaction of Western medical practitioners to the use of acupuncture in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is mixed. Some recognize that acupuncture tends to release endorphins and peptides that modulate the transmission of sensory information through the central nervous system. The clinical results of many patients have shown control of symptoms and stress reduction and a positive outlook are seen as important to the overall treatment. Many doctors have admitted that, at the very least, acupuncture does reduce stress and improve the sense of well being. A very few in the Western medical field stubbornly refuse to admit that acupuncture can be helpful and cite dangers from infection and the transmission of HIV through the use of needles. These concerns are extremely minimal in acupuncture when a qualified and certified acupuncturist is involved.