MS

Do you have MS or know somebody who does who might benefit from learning about complementary or alternative ways to deal with the condition?

Because there is much to share about this, I've written this article.

What kind of self-care actions do individuals with multiple sclerosis take?

A report in the Journal of Holistic Nursing found that 56% of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis had their mercury dental fillings removed, 50% tried homeopathy, 50% tried massage, 44% changed their eating patterns, 32% tried physical therapy, 32% tried psychological counseling, 19% participated in aquatic therapy, 13% used shiatsu, biofeedback or chelation, and 6% tried therapeutic touch or yoga. All respondents reported that the severity of their symptoms decreased as a result of the therapies they tried. There was a statistically significant improvement in symptom severity following use of the complementary therapies.

What are some complementary therapies you might want to try for multiple sclerosis?

1. Louise Hay believes what we say and think affects our physical being. Say or write one of the following affirmations 20 times a day to counteract the negative mental patterns that may have a hold on you:

* I choose loving, joyous thoughts

* I am safe

* I am free

* I create love and joy

2. Rub any sore, cold or inflexible body parts with gentle compassion, bringing fresh blood and energy to those spots.

3. To help with bowel control and build up energy reserves: Lie prone on your side with one hand over your head and the other resting on a soft mat, rug or mattress beneath you. Bend the knee of your top leg, but keep the bottom leg straight. Breathe in and out very slowly while tightening the muscles of your anus. Hold the muscles tight for as long as you can, then relax. Repeat until you feel weary or strained, then stop and relax (The Complete System of Self-Healing).

4. Change your eating patterns. According to the Journal of Neurovirology, a good diet to treat or prevent MS includes fresh prepared fruits and vegetables to aid in remyelination of your spinal cord and nerves. Replace all animal fat (meat, milk, eggs, cheese) with plenty of monosaturated fat (olive oil to cook with and put on your salads) and move to a vegetarian diet, suggests a report in Medical Hypotheses. Eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids (found in salmon, and other cold-water fish and flax seeds). Also take 500 mg in capsule form of evening primrose oil and black currant oil to reduce inflammation (Integrative Medicine). If this doesn't help, eliminate bread, pasta, rice, cereals and all grains.

5. To prevent urinary infections, take vitamin C every day (Journal of Neurovirology).

6. Enroll in a t'ai chi or exercise class. A study reported in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that walking speed, hamstring flexibility and psychosocial well-being improved. Another study published in the Annals of Neurology fifty individuals diagnosed with MS were randomly assigned to a three times a week exercise class or nonexercise groups. Participants in the exercise group had improved bowel and bladder function and significant increases in upper and lower extremity strength, aerobic capacity, triglycerides, depression, anger and fatigue.

7. Investigate bodywork/ massage and psychological counseling to improve depression anxiety and self-esteem (Complementary Therapies in Medicine).

8. Look into aquatic exercise. A study reported in Physical Therapy found that aquatic therapy with a pool temperature of 94 degrees F. improved mobility.

9. Join a music therapy group. A study reported in Rehabilitative Nursing found that patients who received music therapy showed more expiratory muscle strength than patients who attended music appreciation class.

10. If you have constipation, fecal incontinence or a combination, sign up with a biofeedback specialist. A study reported in the Journal of Neurology and Neurosurgical Psychiatry found a beneficial effect after biofeedback sessions for patients whose bowel symptoms were having a major impact on their life.

11. Try yoga, its gentle stretches can help you maintain strength, flexibility and balance. This focused breathing exercise can reduce stress and reduce symptoms. Look for an instructor in your Yellow Pages or watch for fliers about yoga classes.

12. Take extra B-vitamins to help form and maintain the myelin around your nerves. Foods that contain B-12 are especially important, including sardines, herring, nutritional (Brewer's) yeast, mackerel, trout, sea vegetables (kombu, dulse, kelp, wakame), fermented soyfoods (tempeh, natto, and miso).

13. Try an Ayurvedic tonic herb ashwagandha. It could protect your body against stress and counter fatigue (Integrative Medicine).

14. Investigate hypnosis. A study in the American Journal of Hypnosis reported the use of hypnosis with individuals with multiple sclerosis. Hypnosis helped patients get out of wheel chairs, walk with better balance and experience reduced pain. A secondary effect of hypnosis was an increased sense of hopefulness.

15. Drink fresh juices every day. If you don't have a juicer, buy one. It can help you. Start with a pint (2 glasses) of carrot juice or 9 ounces of carrot juice with 5 ounces of celery juice and 2 ounces of parsley juice, 12 ounces of carrot juice mixed with 4 ounces of parsley juice. Work up to several quarts of fresh juice a day.

This article is for information purposes only and is excerpted from Carolyn Chambers Clark's American Holistic Nurses' Association Guide to Common Chronic Conditions: Self-Care Options to Complement Your Doctor's Advice, John Wiley & Sons, 2003.

www.carolynchambersclark.com

cccbanner