While research into a cure for MS is ongoing, there have been significant strides made in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. “Managing MS is an ongoing process,” says the National MS Society. “It’s never too soon or too late to think about how to access high quality, comprehensive, interdisciplinary care.” We couldn’t agree more. If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with MS, it’s important to have a solid foundation of knowledge about MS, and develop a comprehensive plan for managing MS and dealing with the course of MS that is likely to follow. This includes:
- Finding comprehensive care
- Establishing ongoing relationships with doctors & specialists
- Getting the right course of medication
- Strategies for wellness and quality of life
- Managing MS relapses
In developing an approach to MS treatment, “quality of life” may very well be the overarching factor. Once you’ve come to accept that MS is going to be a part of your life from now on (which isn’t an easy thing to accept, and we’ll talk more about that in just a bit), the next logical questions to ask is, “how can I make the best of my life with MS?”
TREATMENTS FOR CONCUSSION
Vision Therapy
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Transcranial Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Eye Exercises
Somatosensory Evoked Potential
Ear Insufflation
Non-surgical Decompression Therapy
Non-surgical decompression therapy can resolve head and neck pain
Non-surgical Decompression Therapy
Nutritional Recommendations
Auditory Therapy
Laser Guided Proprioceptive Feedback
LIVING WITH MS: ACCEPTING YOUR MS DIAGNOSIS
Let’s take a step back for a moment. Say you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. That… may have been a shock. Then again, on some level – given the symptoms you’ve experienced for months or even years, not to mention all the tests you’ve gone through – the MS diagnosis may not have been a complete surprise, but rather a weighty confirmation. With that you may also have experienced, on some level, a sense of relief. At least now you know what you’re dealing with.
Managing MS is going to take some adjustment, to be sure. It means a change in mindset, in lifestyle and in your outlook – both short-term and long-term. Before you can do all that, however, you’ll probably go through some form of what psychologists call the “Five Stages of Grief.” Why grief? You’re still alive, after all, and you have your life ahead of you. But being diagnosed with MS represents a major change in your life. You’ll effectively have to say goodbye to your old life, your previous habits and former lifestyle. That takes time. You might find yourself grieving for your old life. That’s perfectly natural! The grief cycle is said to comprise five stages:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
You may be familiar with this cycle from other contexts. Now that you think about, doesn’t it make sense? You’ve probably been going through some of these emotions as you come to terms with living with MS. It takes time. Don’t be ashamed of experiencing a wide range of emotions, or even wanting to shut down and not think about dealing with MS. When you’re ready, when the cycle comes around – and in due time it will, it always does – you’ll reach acceptance. That’s when you’ll be ready to embark on the Rest of Your Life with MS. Let’s talk about how that might look.
LIVING WITH MS: PLANNING, ADJUSTING & COPING
Once you’ve come to terms with the fact that you’ll be living with MS for the rest of your life, it’s now time to make a plan for the best possible quality of life with MS. Living with MS – living your best life with Multiple Sclerosis – means a combination of the following factors:
- Diet & exercise
- Healthy life choices
- Emotional, Mental & Spiritual Wellness
- Life at work, at home and at play
- Relationships & family
All of these will require some adjustments, some planning and some level of ongoing attention. You don’t have to try to “fix” it all at once. Take the time to plan for each quadrant of your life with MS in mind. Be realistic in your goals and expectations – don’t put too much pressure on yourself, but set yourself up for success in terms of living with MS.
MS is an ongoing process, one that will require adjustment and flexibility on your part as well as from those around you (spouse, family, friends & colleagues). As you go about course of your MS treatment, be sure that you’re doing well in your ongoing plan for living with MS.
MS Treatment: A Chiropractic Neurological Approach
At Broadview Spine & Health Centre, we take a different approach to MS treatment in Ottawa. Being a team of chiropractic neurologists, we most certainly recognize the need for comprehensive care in the treatment of MS.
Studies have shown a correlation of improvement between MS and MS treatments that address the spine as well as the neck-area connection between the neural canal and the brain stem. Whether it’s the spine and vertebrae, or the neck and head, MS treatment from chiropractic and chiropractic neurological means can be extremely effective and beneficial for MS patients. Our team of Ottawa MS specialists use these treatments and more to address your MS and manage your MS symptoms. We’ll also work with you to develop successful life habits for dealing with and mitigating MS symptoms, such as dietary and lifestyle changes, various therapies and even supplements and nutrition.
We want to be your partner in managing MS. Our goal is to help improve your overall quality of life. Talk to Broadview today about getting started on a course of MS treatment in Ottawa.
Frequently asked questions
Sustaining a single concussion, in many cases, results in a straight-forward recovery with few complications. However, for those who have suffered multiple concussions, especially when the original has not fully healed, the recovery time can grow exponentially. Take care during recovery as while you might feel better, the concussion could still need time to fully heal.
- We utilize quantifiable concussion evaluation tools
- We measure eye movements and balance
- We take care to ensure your recovery is objective, not subjective
A major side effect from sustaining a concussion injury is cervicogenic pain or headaches, which is focused in the neck area. The challenge for doctors is neck pain does not always point to a problem within the neck, but could be a result of spine or eye misalignment.
- Concussions cause eye misalignment, leading to head tilt
- Neck pain is a flag for helping identify contributing issues
- Our treatment is built to help protect your long-term recovery
A common symptom for those who have suffered concussions and experiencing symptoms of post-concussion syndrome includes fatigue. Fatigue can come from many different factors. However, concussions build fatigue symptoms on a cellular level from the damage sustained in a concussion, interrupting your body’s ability to build and use energy.
- Fatigue from concussions is a result from calcium leaks
- Other fatigue could stem from problems with thyroids or anemia
- Fatigue problems can take some time to fully recover from
Post-concussion syndrome is a complex condition that requires a lot of care and time to fully recover from. You could experience significant fatigue, inability to effectively concentrate, headaches, poor balance, and loss of fine motor control. These and more are the result of concussion damage to three major areas in your body, which all require the care our clinic can provide:
- Physical damage the cell wall of the brain
- Damage to the motor systems of the eyes and balance
- Cervucigenic symptoms such as pain in the neck
Broadview Health Centre offers specialized equipment and technology that helps us diagnose problems and treat them effectively in regards to concussions and other mild-traumatic brain injuries. These tools are a mix of physical tests and electrical monitors working in tandem to give evaluations of the body’s control over balance and motor control, giving us invaluable information on a patents condition by:
- Evaluating the body’s ability to balance on flat and uneven surfaces
- Balance when a patents head is turning in various directions
- Building information on how a concussion effects an individual
Broadview Spine & Health Centre utilized state of the art diagnosis equipment to allow us to gain quality information on how to approach treatment to every patent’s unique symptoms. A Videonystagmography allows us to get a fine-tuned reading of eye movements on video and with graphical representation.
- Helps us identify where damage is located in the brain
- Helps develop a customized program for the patient
- Provides conclusive evidence for brain injury symptoms