Many people dealing with multiple sclerosis also struggle with other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions create pain and discomfort. Most of the time, the best way to deal with these effects is with regular exercise. These days, opioid pain medications are not highly recommended because of the current epidemic. People are getting addicted to their prescriptions and dying from an opioid overdose. Not to mention that an overload of meds can damage the liver and kidneys.
This is where alternative treatments like chiropractic care comes in. Multiple sclerosis chiropractor help manage pain and discomfort using an all-natural approach, meaning patients can avoid the nasty side effects of medications.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Practitioners of chiropractic believe that if a vertebra is not in alignment, it can apply pressure to nearby nerves causing pain and dysfunction within organs, muscles, and systems that are connected to those nerves. By making adjustments manually or with specialized tools and techniques to the joints, chiropractors help to reduce inflammation and restore function to joints and their supporting systems.
Though there is little research that shows chiropractic treatment eliminating symptoms or treating MS, it can provide relief to conditions or medical problems associated with MS. For instance, if MS causes foot drop and an abnormality in a person’s gait, it can lead to back and hip pain. Chiropractic care can treat the pain and swelling caused by the foot drop while your other doctors work to find the best treatment for your foot drop.
HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP
Inflammation is an ongoing problem for those who live with MS, along with pain and swelling. The mobility of the legs, arms, fingers, and toes can also become compromised. Nerves around joints may begin to spasm making it difficult for patients to have control of certain parts of the body.
It can be challenging to find pharmaceutical options for relief, and even then patients may be unwilling to take more medication as an overload of medicine can quickly place strain on the liver and kidneys. Many patients seek complementary medicine or practices such as chiropractic care for symptom relief.
Patients with MS who do receive chiropractic care often report positive effects after adjustments such as a rise in energy levels, an increase in mobility, less fatigue, more endurance, better muscle control, and less pain. Being able to diminish the pain can provide patients with a boost in confidence and outlook, which can be important when managing a disease, especially a chronic illness such as MS.
IS IT RIGHT FOR EVERYBODY?
While chiropractic care won’t cure MS, it can provide relief. Consult with your MS specialist and health care provider before deciding to receive chiropractic care as it depends on patient needs and conditions.
Although chiropractic care cannot treat Multiple Sclerosis, it can help treat some of the physical aspects and improve the quality of life for many patients by reducing inflammation and improving the function of the nervous system. If you struggle with MS, please discuss with your doctor if chiropractic treatment is right for you.
