Multiple Sclerosis – commonly referred to as “MS” – is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS “disrupts the flow of information within the brain; and between the brain and the body.” As you can imagine (or as you may be suffering), this condition is debilitating and most certainly has a significant impact on one’s life.
MS affects around 4 out of every 1000 people – or a bit less than half a percent of the Canadian population) – with a frequency that is a bit higher the further north of the equator one lives. Diagnosis usually occurs between the ages of 20-50, with women affected disproportionately by 2x or 3x. Its causes are unknown, but MS symptoms and effects are all too real. It is a life-long condition that tends to intensify over time, and no known MS cure exists.
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
MS SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS
MS diagnosis can take some time, and its onset is more often subtle than sudden. Many MS symptoms share commonalities with a large number and wide array of other illnesses and disorders. That’s why diagnosis can take some time. We always caution not to jump to conclusions when reading websites that answer google “symptoms” questions with some alarming possibilities. You probably went through that, however, then eventually saw your doctor or GP and went through a battery of tests after suffering enough symptoms.
MS symptoms include:
- Tingling or feeling numb (pins-and-needles sensation, tightness)
- Fatigue / weakness (especially in muscles, limbs, back/spine, etc.)
- Vision issues (blurry vision, eye pain, double vision, blindness)
- Motion difficulty (running, walking, etc.)
- Dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Chronic pain
- Depression
Quote a broad range, indeed. If you have been diagnosed with MS, you’ve made quite the journey to get to this point. Though the prospect of having a progressive and debilitating illness is not a pleasant one, at least you now know what you are dealing with and can thus get a better grasp on strategies to cope with MS and live a better life.
TYPES OF MS & HOW MS MANIFESTS ITSELF OVER TIME
Even among Multiple Sclerosis patients, there are different types of MS.
The majority of those who are living with MS have what is called “Relapsing-Remitting MS.” This means that new symptoms come on over the course of days or weeks, are progressive over time, then start to improve to varying degrees. MS remission can last weeks, months or even years. Then the symptoms start their onset again, likely in a varying combination. Some consider it “waves” of MS, coming and going, with “good” periods and “not so good” times.
Unfortunately, MS symptoms can build up over time and worsen in intensity, length and quantity of symptoms. Around 2 in 3 MS patients develop what is called “Secondary Progressive MS,” which may or may not have remission associated with it.
Other people who cope with MS have “Primary-Progressive MS” – this is when a person has a gradual onset of MS symptoms, but the progression is steady and no remission occurs.
CAUSES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS & MS TREATMENT
At this time the medical field does not clearly state any definitive “causes” of Multiple Sclerosis. Instead we look at a combination of factors that are associated with MS – a correlation, if you will, rather than a cause.
Correlating factors include:
- Genetics (MS is not inherited, but genetic risk can exist)
- Infection (MS is not contagious, but it can be associated with viruses & bacteria)
- Environment (Geography, diet, smoking, etc.)
- Immunology
Research into the causes and origins of MS is ongoing. It involves a number of areas, including the aforementioned MS factors as well as other risk factors, complications, and – most notably – MS treatment.
While sadly a “cure” for MS is not known to the medical field at this time, time and research has brought us to the point where a number of treatments for MS are available.
At Broadview Spine & Health Centre in Ottawa, we take a chiropractic-neurological approach to MS treatment. Centering on the concept of neuroplasticity, our MS treatment involves a combination of therapy and brain function rehabilitation designed to create new connections by reorganizing and changing one’s neural function.
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