Multiple sclerosis (or MS)
§chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.
Thought to be an Autoimmune Disease
§The body’s own defense system attacks myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The nerve fibers themselves can also be damaged. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis), which gives the disease its name. When any part of the myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, producing the variety of symptoms that can occur.
§Most people with MS learn to cope with the disease and continue to lead satisfying, productive lives.
The Four Courses of MS
§People with MS can typically experience one of four disease courses, each of which might be mild, moderate, or severe
§Relapsing-Remitting MS
People with this type of MS experience clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacks—which are called relapses, flare-ups, or exacerbations —are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions), during which no disease progression occurs. Approximately 85% of people are initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS.
§Primary-Progressive MS
This disease course is characterized by slowly worsening neurologic function from the beginning—with no distinct relapses or remissions. The rate of progression may vary over time, with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements. Approximately 10% of people are diagnosed with primary-progressive MS.
§Secondary-Progressive MS
Following an initial period of relapsing-remitting MS, many people develop a secondary-progressive disease course in which the disease worsens more steadily, with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions), or plateaus. Before the disease-modifying medications became available, approximately 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of the disease within 10 years. Long-term data are not yet available to determine if treatment significantly delays this transition.
§Progressive-Relapsing MS
In this relatively rare course of MS (5%), people experience steadily worsening disease from the beginning, but with clear attacks of worsening neurologic function along the way. They may or may not experience some recovery following these relapses, but the disease continues to progress without remissions.
§Since no two people have exactly the same experience of MS, the disease course may look very different from one person to another. And, it may not always be clear to the physician—at least right away—which course a person is experiencing.
§While the cause (etiology) of MS is still not known, scientists believe that a combination of several factors may be involved. Studies are ongoing in the areas of immunology (the science of the body’s immune system), epidemiology (that looks at patterns of disease in the population), and genetics in an effort to answer this important question. Understanding what causes MS will be an important step toward finding more effective ways to treat it and—ultimately—cure it, or even prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Immunologic
§It is now generally accepted that MS involves an autoimmune process—an abnormal response of the body’s immune system that is directed against the myelin (the fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers) in the central nervous system (CNS—the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves). The exact antigen, or target that the immune cells are sensitized to attack, remains unknown. In recent years, however, researchers have been able to identify which immune cells are mounting the attack, some of the factors that cause them to attack, and some of the sites, or receptors, on the attacking cells that appear to be attracted to the myelin to begin the destructive process. Ongoing efforts to learn more about the autoimmune process in MS—what sets it in motion, how it works, and how to slow or stop it—are bringing us closer to understanding the cause of MS.
Environmental
§MS is known to occur more frequently in areas that are farther from the equator. Epidemiologists—scientists who study disease patterns—are looking at many factors, including variations in geography, demographics (age, gender, and ethnic background), genetics, infectious causes, and migration patterns, in an effort to understand why. Studies of migration patterns have shown that people born in an area of the world with a high risk of MS who then move to an area with a lower risk before the age of 15, acquire the risk of their new area. Such data suggest that exposure to some environmental agent that occurs before puberty may predispose a person to develop MS later on.
§Some scientists think the reason may have something to do with vitamin D (.pdf), which the human body produces naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight. People who live closer to the equator are exposed to greater amounts of sunlight year-round. As a result, they tend to have higher levels of naturally-produced vitamin D, which is thought to have a beneficial impact on immune function and may help protect against autoimmune diseases like MS. The possible relationship between MS and sunlight exposure is currently being looked at in a Society-funded epidemiological study in
Australia
.
§Other scientists study MS clusters—which are defined as higher-than-expected numbers of cases of MS that have occurred over a specific time period and/or in a certain area. These clusters are of interest because they may provide clues to environmental (such as environmental and industrial toxins, diet, or trace metal exposures) factors that might cause or trigger the disease. So far, cluster studies have not produced clear evidence for the existence of any triggering factor or factors in MS.
95% of the Time it is your Environment
NOT Genetics or Hereditary
Infectious
§Since initial exposure to numerous viruses, bacteria and other microbes occurs during childhood, and since viruses are well recognized as causes of demyelination and inflammation, it is possible that a virus or other infectious agent is the triggering factor in MS. More than a dozen viruses and bacteria, including measles, canine distemper, human herpes virus-6, Epstein-Barr, and Chlamydia pneumonia have been or are being investigated to determine if they are involved in the development of MS, but none have been definitively proven to trigger MS (vaccination?)
Genetic
§While MS is not hereditary in a strict sense, having a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling with MS increases an individual's risk of developing the disease several-fold above the risk for the general population. Studies have shown that there is a higher prevalence of certain genes in populations with higher rates of MS. Common genetic factors have also been found in some families where there is more than one person with MS. Some researchers theorize that MS develops because a person is born with a genetic predisposition to react to some environmental agent that, upon exposure, triggers an autoimmune response.
What are MS Clusters?
§A "cluster" of MS can be defined as the perception that a very high number of cases of MS have occurred over a specific time period and/or in a certain area. Such clusters of MS—or of other diseases where clusters are occasionally reported—are of interest because they may provide clues to environmental or genetic risk factors which might cause or trigger the disease. So far, cluster studies (in the Faroe Islands, Galion, Oh,DePue, IL, andEl Paso,TX, among others) have not produced clear evidence for the existence of any causative or triggering factor or factors in MS. Read more information about MS Clusters.
§In multiple sclerosis , damage to the myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. This disruption of nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS, which vary depending on where the damage has occurred.
§Over the course of the disease, some symptoms will come and go, while others may be more lasting.
Most Common Symptoms
Fatigue
Numbness
Walking (Gait),
Balance,
Bladder Dysfunction
Bowel Dysfunction
Vision Problems
Dizziness and Vertigo
Sexual Dysfunction
Pain
Cognitive Function
The Tools for Making a Diagnosis
§Medical History and Neurologic Exam
§MRI
§Visual Evoked Potential (VEP)
§Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis
§Blood Tests
§Other Conditions Cause Demyelination (Damage to Myelin) - trauma
§Demyelination of the peripheral nervous system (the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord) occurs in Guillain-Barré Syndrome. After some injuries, the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system regenerates, bringing recovery of function.
§Although there is still no cure for MS, effective strategies are available to modify the disease course, treat exacerbations (also called attacks, relapses, or flare-ups), manage symptoms, improve function and safety, and provide emotional support. In combination, these treatments enhance the quality of life for people living with MS.
The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
§
CAM
includes everything from exercise and diet to food supplements, stress management strategies, and lifestyle changes. These therapies come from various disciplines and traditions—yoga, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, traditional herbal healing, Chinese medicine, macrobiotics, naturopathy, and many others. They are referred to as complementary when they are used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments and alternative when they are used instead of conventional treatments. (did not mention chiro)
§National MS Society
Lets take a different look
Chiropractic correction may help reverse multiple sclerosis and Parkinson?s disease
§A recent study of 81 cases, published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (JVSR), is the first to show that correction of upper neck injuries may reverse the progression of both Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD).
§The research was performed by Erin Elster, D.C., an Upper Cervical Chiropractor in
Boulder
,
Colorado
, who compiled data from 44 MS patients and 37 PD patients treated over the past five years. After treating upper neck injuries in 81 patients, 91% of MS patients and 92% of PD patients improved, suggesting that correction of neck injuries stimulated a reversal of MS and PD.
§According to Dr. Elster, traumas to the head, neck, and upper spine can result in vertebral subluxations that occur when vertebrae (the small interlocking bones of the spinal column) misalign or become stuck and interfere with the function of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). By aligning the first two upper vertebrae with the skull, nerve pathways traveling between the brain and spinal cord became less obstructed. This may help improve and/or reverse both MS and PD.
§"According to medical research, head and neck injuries have long been considered a contributing factor for the onset of both Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease," said Elster. "But this is the first research to show that correction of those injuries can have a dramatic effect on improving and reversing MS and PD."
§Upper neck injuries frequently occur during traumas in which an individual sustains a blow to the head, whiplash, or concussion, such as during a fall, auto accident, or sporting accident. The injury can precede the onset of MS and PD by months, years, or even decades. In many cases, an individual is completely unaware that he or she has sustained such an injury. "An examination would need to be performed in each individual's case to determine whether a neck injury is contributing to his or her health problem," Elster noted.
§Dr. Matthew McCoy, JVSR editor, commented that "Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent every year on research of MS and Parkinson's -- none of that money goes to chiropractic research. Hopefully Dr. Elster's research will get the attention of the government, private foundations and individuals who can earmark money to further research the effects of chiropractic care on these disorders. What motivation does a pharmaceutical company have to look elsewhere for the answers? Clearly, attempting to solve what might be a mechanical problem with chemicals is not the answer."
§This research comes on the heels of other publications by Elster in which upper neck injuries were corrected in patients with migraine and cluster headaches, seizures, bipolar disorder, Tourette Syndrome and ADHD, all of which have been linked to head and neck trauma by medical researchers.
§http://www.jvsr.com
Chiropractic Management of Musculoskeletal Pain in the Multiple Sclerosis Patient
§Clinical Chiropractic 2005 (Jun); 8 (2): 57–65
Chiropractic care has been successfully integrated into a chronic care facility which is affiliated with a private university medical school. Chiropractic has been utilized in this setting for pain management of MS patients suffering from chronic pain syndromes. Preliminary findings from this clinic suggest that chiropractic may represent one treatment alternative for chronic pain in MS patients in a long-term care facility. Further studies will be needed to definitively determine the efficacy of chiropractic for the management of chronic pain in the MS patient.
Use of Unconventional Therapies by Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
§ Clin Rehabil 2003 (Mar); 17 (2): 181–191
More than half of the responding sample (57.1%) had used at least one
CAM
modality. The longer that people had MS and the less satisfied they were with conventional health care the more likely they were to use
CAM
therapies. The most common reasons for using CAMs were the desire to use holistic health care (i.e., treatments that recognized the interrelatedness of mind, body and spirit) and dissatisfaction with conventional medicine. Ingested herbs were the most frequently used CAMM modalities (26.6%), followed by chiropractic (25.3%), massage (23.3%) and acupuncture (19.9%).
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Management of a Multiple Sclerosis Patient: A Case Report
§Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research 2001; 4 (2): 22–30
After four months of upper cervical chiropractic care, all Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms were absent. A follow-up MRI showed no new lesions as well as a reduction in intensity of the original lesions. After a year passed in which the patient remained asymptomatic, another follow-up MRI was performed. Once again, the MRI showed no new lesions and a continued reduction in intensity of the original lesions. Two years after upper cervical chiropractic care began, all MS symptoms remained absent.
Upper Cervical Protocol For Five Multiple Sclerosis Patients
§ Todays Chiropractic 2000 (Nov); 29 (6) ~ FULL TEXT
All five patients recalled experiencing head or neck trauma(s) prior to the onset of multiple sclerosis symptoms. In all five cases, evidence of upper cervical injury was found using paraspinal digital infrared imaging and upper cervical radiographs. According to the results of each of the five patients discussed in this report, it seems correction of the upper cervical injury not only stopped but also reversed the pathological processes involved in MS. However, few conclusions can be drawn from a small number of cases. Therefore, further research is recommended to study the link between trauma, the upper cervical spine and neurological disease.
Clinical Presentation of a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis and Response to Manual Chiropractic Adjustive Therapies
§J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1993 (Nov-Dec); 16 (9): 595–600
Manual adjustive therapies appear to be responsible for the dramatic symptomatic relief provided for a patient diagnosed with MS. The relative risk-to-benefit ratio suggests that this approach may be appropriate as an alternative symptom management approach for MS patients, and future research efforts can and should direct the comprehensive management approach to the treatment of this disorder.
Kyphosis
-
mechanical issues
Nerve System:
Controls function & healing
Subluxation:
Blocks function and healing
Towbin A: "Latent spinal cord and brain stem injury in newborn infants." Develop Med Child Neurol 1969;11:54.
§Lesion in the cord or brain stem can cause Death of the fetus during delivery or, severe respiratory dysfunction.
§Infants who survive the initial trauma may be left with severe nervous system defects.
Joints are designed NOT to wear out!
§Injured joints and joints forced to function while misaligned wear out quickly.
42 year old female car accident 3 years ago. Advanced degeneration. 4 lbs. of head weight 5 min.
Hanging Cervical Traction
WEIGHTING SYSTEM
Spinal Fulcrums
55 year old female using chiropractic for over 20 years. Loss of cervical curve. Heavy pain medication usage. Pre and post adjustment with weights. 50% increase in one session.
40 year old male, multiple spinal trauma.
400% correction within 90 days.
Conclusive Medical Study Findings:
§Decreased blood flow from abnormal posture is major factor in ALL DISEASE, including cancer. Reich (MD) 1974:
§Decreased curves & spinal position affect heart, lungs & digestive system: Calliet (MD):
§Winsor (MD): 212 Autopsies 100% disease in spine to diseased organ correlation
§Faulty posture caused WEAK immune system, organ disease, mm. tension, and increased sensitivity to pain. Korr 1979:
§Posture deviation: intestinal diverticula's, osteoporosis, hip/foot deformities, overall poor health & quality of life, Shortened life span. Freeman 1997:
§Research shows that a loss or increase in spinal curves, increases mortality (speeds up death) and takes up to 14 years off your life span.” -Spine-Vol 30, Nov 1
Spinal kyphosis causes demyelination and neuronal loss in the spinal cord: a new model of kyphotic deformity using juvenile Japanese small game fowls.
§Shimizu K, Nakamura M, Nishikawa Y, Hijikata S, Chiba K, Toyama Y.
§Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
School of medicine Tokyo Japan
§STUDY DESIGN: Histologic changes in the spinal cord caused by progressive spinal kyphosis were assessed using a new animal model.
§CONCLUSIONS: Progressive kyphosis of the cervical spine resulted in demyelination of nerve fibers in the funiculi and neuronal loss in the anterior horn due tochronic compression of the spinal cord. These histologic changes seem to be associated with both continuous mechanical compression and vascular changes in the spinal cord.
Spinal kyphosis causes demyelination and neuronal loss in the spinal cord:
§Recent research has shown the damaging effects that the loss of the cervical curve has on health. Neurosurgeons have labeled the curve in your neck as the arch of life because it is so vital to overall health and longevity. The arch in the neck must be between 39-45 degrees in order to be free from spinal cord compression.Here are the results found in the Spine Journal done at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Tokyo.
Spinal cord injury is accompanied by chronic progressive demyelination
§Minodora O. Totoiu, Hans S. Keirstead *Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-4292email: Hans S. Keirstead (hansk@uci.edu)*Correspondence to Hans S. Keirstead, Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California at Irvine, 2111 Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, Irvine, CA, 92697-4292
§Funded by:
Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund of California; Grant Number: RR02-032 Reeve-Irvine ResearchCenter
§KEYWORDS
§contusion • secondary degeneration • oligodendrocyte • myelination • remyelination
§ABSTRACT
§Preceding the development of therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury is an identification of those pathological processes that might serve as therapeutic targets. Although demyelination has been documented as a secondary degenerative component of spinal cord injury in several species including humans, the extent of demyelination and its functional consequence remain unknown. In this report, we document the extent of demyelination and remyelination up to 450 days following contusive spinal cord injury in adult rats. The overall number of demyelinated axons peaked at 1 day post injury, declined by 7-14 days post injury, and then progressively increased up to 450 days post injury. Oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell remyelinated axons appeared by 14 days post injury. Although remyelinated axons were present from 14 to 450 days post injury, remyelination was incomplete, as indicated by the presence of demyelinated axons at every time point examined. These studies demonstrate for the first time that spinal cord injury is accompanied by chronic progressive demyelination, and they substantiate demyelination as a target for therapeutic intervention. J. Comp. Neurol. 486:373-383, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chiropractic Improves Brain Wave Patterns and Function
§A study presented at the International Research And Philosophy Symposium held at Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in October, 2004 finds that Chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS), specifically on the four primary frequencies of brain function.
Brain function is measured on four primary frequencies: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. Alpha waves reflect the meditative, relaxing healing mode. Beta waves represent the active, busy brain. Theta waves reflect light sleep, relaxation and conceptual development. Delta waves represent the brain activity during deep sleep, repair mode and energy storage.
The study was conducted over a three year period. Approximately 100 volunteers were examined with an electroencephalogram (EEG) before and after chiropractic adjustments.
The EEG scans were examined to check the right/left balance, the amount of total activity, the primary regions of activity and the effect of the adjustment.
After receiving a chiropractic adjustment, post EEG scans revealed improvement in all areas of the volunteer’s brain function. Particularly, the researchers noticed an increase in the meditative Alpha brainwave patterns that are associated with a greater degree of relaxation, health and healing.
The researchers noted that some of the volunteers already had balanced and active brain scans and the adjustments had little effect on their post scans. They felt this was a good indicator that the adjustments had no negative effects on brain activity.
MAINTENANCE CHIROPRACTIC AND DNA REPAIR REVEALS CHIROPRACTIC FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
§Surrogate Indication of DNA Repair in Serum After Long Term Chiropractic Intervention – A Retrospective Study
§Objective: To assess the effects of short-term and long-term chiropractic care on serum thiol levels in asymptomatic subjects.
§Conclusion: Asymptomatic or primary wellness subjects under chiropractic care demonstrated higher mean serum thiol levels than patients with active disease and produced some values
that were higher than normal wellness values.
§Keywords: chiropractic, wellness, adjustment, thiol, DNA repair, oxidative stress
COULD THAT HUMP ON YOUR BACK BE KILLING YOU?
§Journal of the American Geriatrics Society -Volume 52 Issue 10 Page 1662 - October 2004
Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Community-Dwelling
Men and Women: A Prospective Study
§Conclusion: Older men and women with hyperkyphotic posture have higher
mortality rates.
Teach you to focus on your healing not your symptoms
What is Health?
“State of optimum mental, physical and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmities.”
The 5 absolute living principals
Components to Maximized living
§Reduce or give up toxins.
§Optimize nerve function.
§Fuel your body.
§Exercise your body.
§Manage peace.
Chronic Stress Response
§Over stimulation
§Under use of body
§Toxins
§Trauma
§Thoughts
MSG is a neurotoxin, potentially toxic to everyone -- potentially toxic even to those people who do not respond with adverse reactions such as migraine headache, asthma, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, disorientation, and depression. We know that MSG kills brain cells in laboratory animals. We know this from studies wherein MSG was given in food and from studies were MSG was given in drinking water. We know that MSG causes macular degeneration (retinal degeneration). We know that in one well done 2002 study (Ohguro, H., Katsushima, H., Maruyama,
I.
, Maeda, T., Yanagihashi, S. Metoki, T., Nakazawa, M. A high dietary intake of sodium glutamate as flavoring (Ajinomoto) causes gross changes in retinal morphology and function. Experimental Eye Research 75:(3),2002.)
Pain relief
§#1: rule no trans fats
§#2: no high fructose corn syrup for 30 days
Components to Maximized living
§Reduce or give up toxins.
§Optimize nerve function.
§Fuel your body.
§Exercise your body.
§Manage peace.
www.absoluteliferunning.com
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