What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own myelin. Myelin is a protective sheath that covers nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. when the sheath is broken down, it causes signals from the brain to misfire. As the nerve fibers deteriorate, the disease will progress until it becomes debilitating.
MS can strike anyone of any age, and as of this writing, there is no known cure for the disease. In itself, MS is rarely fatal, although complications from the disease can lead to serious health problems. In recent decades, there has been much progress in treating MS to ease symptoms and slow the progress of the damage.
Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
MS can strike differently depending on the person, their genetics, lifestyle, other health conditions, etc. However, the most common early signs of MS include fatigue, dizziness, numbness, tingling, muscle stiffness, spasms, confusion, or memory loss.
Additional symptoms people with MS commonly experience include tremors, bladder problems, bowel problems, sexual dysfunction, speech problems, nerve pain (burning, stabbing, pins-and-needles, etc.), musculoskeletal pain, and difficulty thinking or processing things.
Most patients will only experience a few of these symptoms rather than all or even most. Many sufferers of MS also suffer from depression and anxiety, which comes from living with the unpredictable nature of a debilitating disease.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Multiple Sclerosis
Nerves are responsible for transmitting messages from the brain to the rest of the body. This is how the brain gives orders to control every bodily function—movement, breathing, circulation, digestion, and the immune system itself. The more these signals are disrupted and go awry, the more deterioration there is to the body’s systems.
The upper cervical spine is located just below the skull, by the base of the brain stem where it connects to the spinal cord. When the vertebrae in this area are misaligned, it can also cause nerve signals to misfire. Any pinched or compressed nerves due to a misalignment exacerbate MS symptoms.
In addition to the disruption of nerve signals, misalignments of the upper cervical spine send a domino effect down the rest of the body’s musculoskeletal system. When one vertebra at the top of the spine is out of place, it causes stress and tension on all the joints, ligaments, and muscles going down the rest of the body. This can cause additional unnecessary musculoskeletal pain to MS patients.
How Our Treatment Works
Upper cervical chiropractic care is proving to be a great addition to the treatment regime of those suffering from MS. It helps alleviate musculoskeletal pain and keep the nerves functioning as well as they can for as long as possible.
Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder are specialists in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This is an upper cervical technique that uses advanced diagnostic tools for superior screenings so that doctors can correct misalignments with more precision and a lighter touch.
Unlike traditional chiropractic methods which use 2D, black-and-white Xrays, Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau use state-of-the-art 3D imaging scans to better assess and calculate misalignments in your unique anatomy. They are then able to gently realign the vertebrae without any jarring twists and jerks.
The Blair technique is an effective, natural, drug-free, non-invasive treatment option to help bring relief and comfort to MS patients. If you have MS and are curious about how upper cervical care can assist you to improve your overall wellness, contact us. Our areas of coverage include Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.