THE FOLLOWING ARE SYMPTOMS AND
CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED BY
THE WASHINGTON ACUPUNCTURE CENTER.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple sclerosis is a slowly progressive neurological disease with patches of demyelinization
in the brain and spinal cord. Its cause is still uncertain although the possibilities
of viral etiology, autoimmune mechanisms, toxic agents, trauma and hereditary metabolic
factors have been considered. Its onset is insidious, usually between ages 20 and
40. Because of the vagueness, transitory nature and variety of early symptoms, the
diagnosis may not be made until visual disturbances, ataxia, weakness of extremities
and difficulties with bladder control appear. Nystagmus, intention tremor, scanning
speech and euphoria are common symptoms. Expanding cranial lesions, spinal cord tumors,
syringomyelia, syphilis and pernicious anemia should be ruled out before a patient
is treated with acupuncture.
Although improving a patients general health with vitamins may be helpful, there
is no other treatment for multiple sclerosis as effective as acupuncture. Some of
the drugs which have been prescribed for multiple sclerosis, such as cortisone derivatives,
have caused serious adverse reactions. Sometimes, however, they are dramatically
effective for treating acute exacerbations.
The acupuncture treatment of multiple sclerosis is aimed at relieving its symptoms.
Whether acupuncture can arrest the progress of the disease is difficult to determine.
It is impossible to explain scientifically at this time why acupuncture should be
effective in multiple sclerosis, but our rate of success in relieving symptoms is
much higher than could be expected from spontaneous remissions. Most patients show
significant improvement in coordination, bladder control, double vision, and energy
in the legs by the time they have had ten treatments. This improvement lasts for
years in many cases but in others a series of booster treatments as often as every
4-8 months is required to maintain remission of symptoms. Patients are advised to
return for such treatments if an old symptom begins to recur or if a new one develops.
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