According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, “Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The exact antigen — or target that the immune cells are sensitized to attack — remains unknown, which is why MS is considered by many experts to be ‘immune-mediated’ rather than ‘autoimmune.’” Multiple Sclerosis, in a nutshell, involves the myelin sheath (the fatty substance that surrounds, insulates and protects the nerves in your body) being attacked by your own body. When this happens, it leaves scar tissue (or sclerosis-which is where the disease gets its name from) where that attack took place and this in turn slows down, distorts, and interferes with the messages being sent from the brain to the body and vice versa resulting in the various symptoms associated with MS.
Two of the most common symptoms first reported by patients who develop MS are: 1) numbness and tingling in the face, body and extremities, 2) vision problems. Approximately 80% of people experience fatigue. Many others may have pain, weakness, spasticity of the muscles, gait (walking) problems, vertigo and dizziness.
Currently, the cause of MS is unknown with many scientists pulling in different directions. Most agree that there is some combination of immune system involvement, environmental factors, genetics and a few other things. Because the cause is unknown and we have so many theories, there are many different treatments currently being prescribed and explored, many with unpleasant side-effects. There are many different medications being used for MS and then for each symptom another medication. Each medication has a large list of side effects and should be approached with extreme care by you and your doctor if you feel that the benefits out-weigh the risks. Rehabilitation has been great for some patients to manage the symptoms and slow down some of the progression but in all of these treatments nothing is addressing the “cause” of MS, which is unknown, so at best they are managing the symptoms.
In the last few years there have been some extremely exciting and promising breakthroughs for MS patients with a little known and non-invasive approach. One of those studies took place in 2011 when an Upper Cervical Chiropractor had one of his MS patients scanned using an Upright MRI machine and discovered a blockage of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF- the fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord) due to a misaligned vertebrae at the top of the neck. This vertebrae was realigned using a very specific, and gentle form of chiropractic called Upper Cervical Care. This 41 year old patient had a cessation in her MS symptoms while also seeing an increase in CSF flow return following her correction. To read more about this study go to this link: http://www.fonar.com/news/110211.htm.
The most recent study looked at 77 MS patients who had Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) and a possible connection to an Upper Cervical misalignment. The study showed a statistically significant improvement in both the reduction of the misalignment as seen on the x-ray and the patient’s symptoms. The researchers commented that “We believe that the Upper Cervical correction on C1-C2 could be the main non-invasive treatment of the CCSVI mechanical type in patients with MS.” To see the abstract in PubMed go to this link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26228993.
With all the different theories and treatments proposed for MS patients, this is exciting news because Upper Cervical Care is showing positive results in patients with MS in a non-invasive manor that is not just seeking to manage the symptoms but seeking a possible cause that may be hidden in the upper part of the neck. We know how important this area is to the overall health of the patient and we are learning more and more every day of the healing potential that the human body possesses when the head and neck are in their proper alignment.
