There are approximately 2.3 million patients suffering from multiple sclerosis worldwide, of which 3-5% are children or adolescents. This disease is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by numbness, tremor, and paralysis of the limbs.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), multiple sclerosis (MS), myasthenia gravis and gradual freezing are known as a type of “Flaccidity syndromes”. In the TCM’s theory, man is the integral part of nature. The three-factor system of syndrome differentiation have unique advantages in the treatment of MS, which is regarded as one of the best ways to control symptoms. More and more patients turn to Chinese medicine to help relieve symptoms. Can TCM help MS? In this article, SHANGHAI Medical Clinic introduce you how TCM diagnoses and treats MS.
What is multiple sclerosis(MS)?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, it causes your immune system to attack your central nervous system, your myelin sheaths can be damaged. That means your nerves won’t be able to send and receive messages as they should.
Because of this, it can lead to vision problems, muscle weakness, loss of balance or numbness. it usually shows up between ages 20 and 50 and affects women more than men. As the development of MS, there are three main type:
• Relapse-remitting type (RRMS)
RRMS is the most common type of multiple sclerosis, and it commonly diagnosed between ages 20-40.
• Secondary-Progressive (SPMS)
About 80% of RRMS cases usually develop SPMS 10 to 20 years after the initial diagnosis.
• Primary-Progressive (PPMS)
About 10% of late-onset MS occurs between ages 40-60, it can develop into hemiparesis or paraplegia slowly.
There are lots of different ways to manage MS. They include drug treatments, exercise, diet and other lifestyle changes. Western medicine mainly focuses on reducing the recurrence rate and severity.
TCM adopts a combination of syndrome differentiation with disease differentiation, which is beneficial to improve pain, cramps, numbness and tingling, fatigue, anxiety, bowel and bladder function.
Treatment of MS by TCM’s syndrome differentiation
From a TCM perspective, the pathogenesis of MS is mainly due to the weakness of the Spleen, Liver and Kidneys, and the pathogenic factors are wind, phlegm, blood stasis, and damp heat.
TCM believes that the spleen and stomach are the acquired foundation of a person, and the source of biochemical qi and blood. If a person has a weak spleen and stomach, biochemical reaction of qi and blood won’t occur. In the case of energy shortage, the human body protects important organs first, and the energy supplied to limbs and muscles is greatly reduced. Slowly, the nerve center will have a conduction disorder, leading to various chronic diseases such as muscle weakness, stiffness, and atrophy.
• Chinese herbal medicine
The herbal medicine for MS is tonic that help to reinforce inefficiency. Among the tonics , it is especially important to nourish the liver and kidney, and regulate the spleen and stomach. Most of the liver and kidney medicines include Prepared Radix Rehmannia, epimedium grandiflorum, Cuscuta chinensis Lam, Fructus Corni and Astragalus.
• Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture can reduce inflammation, antagonize immune function damage, reduce spinal cord nerve damage, and promote the recovery of body function.
The use of acupuncture to treat MS can improve the patient’s neurological dysfunction and symptoms such as dizziness, headache, limb numbness, and limb weakness.
TCM make you on the road to recovery
TCM attaches great importance to syndrome differentiation, using Chinese herbs and acupuncture, which are safe and affordable. It can greatly reduce the recurrence of MS.
SHANGHAI Medical Clinic is one of the impactful TCM clinics in Dubai. Dr. Wang Xiaozhong has been working in the Chinese medicine for more than 50 years. He is an expert in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases in Chinese medicine. Many patients have their MS well-controlled through treatments. If you and someone you know were suffering from MS, please call us at (971) 4343 4811 and visit our clinic, you will be able to experience the best Chinese medicine treatment services.
