What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a rare neurological condition. It is a degenerative disease caused by the immune system eating away at the protective covering of the nerves. The nerve damage that results can cause a variety of symptoms.
While at the time of this writing there is no known cure for MS, many patients find adding upper cervical care to their treatment plan helps relieve some symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Patients respond differently to MS. While there is a wide range of symptoms associated with the condition, most patients will only get a few of them. Some people have symptoms that get more frequent and progressively worse over time. Some people have symptoms that come and go. Some have had few or no symptoms for most of their lives.
Some common symptoms of MS include fatigue, weakness, and numbness or tingling in the body. The muscles may feel pain, stiffness, weakness, or spasm. People with MS may develop problems with swallowing or speaking, or they may experience visual disturbances. Some face mobility problems, bladder issues, bowel issues, or sexual function problems.
Some people with MS have difficulty thinking or learning. They may suffer from depression or anxiety.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Multiple Sclerosis
The myelin sheath is a protective insulation that forms around the nerves. When people have MS, this sheath is attacked by T-Cells. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that makeup part of the immune system. The T-cells incorrectly identify the sheath as foreign material and begin stripping it away in defense.
When the myelin is stripped away, the nerves are left exposed and develop scar tissue. When the brain tries to send signals along the damaged nerves, they can misfire and miscommunicate that information to different parts of the body.
The upper cervical spine is made up of the seven uppermost vertebrae, which begin at the base of the skull right near the brain stem. The vertebrae in this area of the spine can be knocked out of alignment easily, and when that happens it causes inflammation and swelling that may compress nerves. This can aggravate the symptoms of MS.
How our Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Works
If you suspect you are suffering from MS, you must get diagnosed by a doctor and begin a treatment plan. One great addition to your healthcare team is an upper cervical specialist.
Dr. Bejian Shamloo utilizes technology to help him examine and calculate your unique anatomy. With Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and advanced 3-D imaging, the doctor is better able to visualize even minute misalignments of the upper cervical spine.
Once misalignments are detected, the doctor can correct the affected vertebrae and restore the neck to proper alignment. This reduces inflammation near the brain stem and allows any nerves impeded by inflammation to resume function.
Contact Dr. Shamloo if you are suffering from MS to see if he can help you. For many patients, the addition of chiropractic care to their treatment offers a safe, non-invasive, drug-free method to help manage and improve some symptoms. Dr. Shamloo provides upper cervical chiropractic treatment for patients in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.