In this multiple sclerosis acupuncture case, a 42-year-old Nepalese woman diagnosed with MS received six acupuncture treatments. She felt immediate relief following the first session and continued to improve over the next five treatments. This case clearly demonstrates acupuncture’s benefit as a complementary treatment to reduce pain, improve gait and mobility, and boost energy in patients with MS.
Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease affecting 300,000 people in the United States and 2.3 million worldwide. MS is characterized by chronic inflammation, demyelination, plaques, scarring, and neuronal loss. The progression of the disease can be relapsing or progressive. In addition, the clinical course is extremely variable, ranging from a relatively benign condition to a rapidly evolving and incapacitating disease requiring profound lifestyle adjustments.
Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practiced in China for over 3000 years. Modern acupuncture combines conventional Chinese needling strategies with Western clinical knowledge of the cerebral cortex, creating an exceptionally compelling method for treating Multiple sclerosis (MS).
The Problem
Western allopathic medical management has experienced limited success in reducing the frequency and intensity of MS symptoms. Furthermore, the adverse side effects from medications add to patient frustrations. This fact has led many people with MS to seek alternative therapies.
Acupuncture combines conventional Chinese needling strategies with Western clinical knowledge of the cerebral cortex and effectively treats neurological conditions. Acupuncture has frequently been mentioned as a non-pharmacologic means of managing the disease, with the prevalence of its usage reported from 7.2 to 21% of the MS population.
Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
MS symptoms commonly present as localized tingling, pins and needles, and numbness. Brainstem involvement may result in diplopia, nystagmus, vertigo, facial pain, weakness, spasms, or rippling muscular contractions. In addition, ataxia, tremors, and dysarthria may reflect disease of cerebellar pathways.
Therapy for MS divides into several categories: (a) treatment of acute attacks, (b) treatments with disease-modifying agents that reduce the biological activity of MS, and (c) symptomatic relief.
Multiple Sclerosis Acupuncture Case
A 42-year-old woman living in Nepal came for acupuncture, having been diagnosed with MS two years earlier. Her initial symptoms included numbness on the right arm, followed by subsequent numbness descending down both legs. Over the past two years, she had multiple relapses and remissions with episodes of lower extremity weakness, stiffness, muscle spasms, blurred vision, loss of balance, double vision, and fatigue. Those symptoms typically lasted a few weeks to several months.
Then, a year ago, she had a dramatic neurological decline where she could no longer walk steadily and lost strength and sensation in her lower extremities. For the last two years, it had been more difficult for her to walk due to weakness in her legs and loss of balance. In addition, she complained of numbness, tingling, and spasms in her legs, accompanied by double vision, poor memory and concentration, dizziness and vertigo, heat intolerance, and severe fatigue.
Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis
The acupuncturist performed an intake examination. The patient was alert, cooperative, and attentive and gave appropriate responses. Her motor strength was weak in both legs, arms, and hands. In addition, she could not make rapid movements with the toes of either foot. The examination revealed no sensory deficit in the patient’s face and four extremities. Furthermore, her finger-to-nose tests on both the right and left sides were normal, as was her index finger–to–index finger test.
Regarding movement, the patient had difficulty getting out of a chair and presented with a spastic and ataxic gait. She walked with stiffness in both legs, was unsteady, and had a wide-based stance. Finally, she failed the heel-toe walking test, could not stand on one leg, and was unable to stand steadily with her eyes open, performing worse with her eyes closed.
MS Treatment Protocol
The patient in this multiple sclerosis acupuncture case received six treatments spaced one week apart. Each treatment lasted 30 minutes. The acupuncturist had ten years of experience and was trained in Western (MD) and Chinese (TCM) medicine. The practitioner applied appropriate stimulation to attain a ‘deqi’ sensation (achy feeling around the needle).
The acupuncturist selected from the following points: Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX HN1), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Yinlingquan (SP9), Taichong (LR3), Fenglong (ST40), Kunlun (BL60), Weizhong (BL40), Zhibian (BL54), Neiguan (P6), Hegu (LI4), Waiguan (SJ5), Shousanli (LI10), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Shenshu (BL23), Ciliao (BL32), and Pangguangshu (BL28).
The patient had a very positive response to her initial acupuncture treatment. The dizziness, balance issues, stiffness, and weakness in her legs all showed improvement. Furthermore, as treatments progressed, the numbness and tingling in her limbs stopped bothering her. In addition, she had more energy and her motor function significantly improved.
The Need for Acupuncture in the MS Population
Multiple sclerosis is the most common demyelinating neurological disease in the world. While dozens of research studies have demonstrated acupuncture’s benefits in treating MS, mainstream healthcare practitioners rarely recommend this safe, effective alternative treatment. Acupuncture for MS consistently reduces pain, improves gait, decreases the frequency, duration and intensity of flairs, and generally enhances the quality of life.
MS is an illness of the focal sensory system affecting 2.3 million people worldwide. At present, Western medicines does not offer a complete solution for MS. However, this multiple sclerosis acupuncture case demonstrates acupuncture’s effectiveness in managing this chronic disease. Acupuncture can work hand-in-hand with allopathic medicine, providing pain relief, enabling the reduction of medications, and improving mobility.
Next Steps
Try acupuncture if you’ve got MS. Set some goals and see if this ancient therapy can improve your quality of life. At Raleigh Acupuncture, we typically suggest you come in once a week for four weeks and then assess your progress. Most patients feel an improvement in a number of areas, including reduced pain, improved gait, better mood and sleep, and overall improvement in health.
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Reference
Acupuncture as a Rehabilitative Therapy in Patient with Multiple Sclerosis:
A Case Study, Jaya Satyal, Pradeep KC, Rabindra Shrestha, Pratima Dhakal. Ayurveda Hospital, Nardevi, Kathmandu. Nepal, Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal, Ayurveda Campus Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuwan University
https://www.ajhs.org.np/ajhs/index.php/ajhs/article/view/41/22
Focus Keyphrase: Multiple Sclerosis Acupuncture Case
Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz : https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-traditional-clothes-sitting-on-the-floor-11590806/
What our Clients are Saying
Raleigh Acupuncture has helped me a great deal managing my MS. Since I began treatment my pain has decreased by 80%, my balance has improved and my mental fog lifted. I am so grateful for their expertise in treating this condition. I recommend them to anyone with MS.