Many people dealing with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) feel as though they have very few options for managing their pain.   Chiropractic care maybe the answer!

In one study (1), manual chiropractic adjustive therapies appear to be responsible for the dramatic symptomatic relief provided for a patient diagnosed with M.S. Consequently, it was concluded “the relative risk-to-benefit ratio suggests that this approach may be appropriate as an alternative symptom management approach for MS”.

 

What is Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.)?

Typically, M.S. patients are less than 55. And it is more prevalent in women than men. MS appears in patients who reside in temperate climate zones and are of western European ethnicity. Relapses commonly occur in women 2 to 3 months after childbirth.

MS is characterized by episodic attacks that initially resolve, but eventually leave residual neurologic deficits. The initial episode often will resolve in days.  Next, the patient may remain symptom free for months or years. Eventually, however, symptoms recur.  Symptoms usually will involve a region and consist of numbness, tingling, weakness, diplopia (double vision), dizziness, or urinary sphincter dysfunction (urgency or hesitancy).

Cause

The cause of MS is unknown, but scientists think it may be an immune disorder (condition in which the body attacks itself by mistake).

There is an apparent genetic relationship due to the association of MS and HLA-DR2.  The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a family of genes found on chromosome 6 which provide the instructions to make a group of proteins known as the HLA complex. The HLA proteins are present on the surface of cells, and they help the immune system to distinguish foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria from the body’s own cells and tissues. 

The primary role of the HLA complex is in the regulation of the immune system to defend against disease. Your individual HLA type is inherited from your parents. In MS, the immune system fails to distinguish between the body’s tissues and foreign proteins.  This results in your body attacking your own central nervous system. 

 

Demyelination

Firstly, MS attacks myelin as if it were foreign. And Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. Secondly, MS is a disease characterized by patchy demyelination with reactive gliosis.  Gliosis is a process leading to scars in the central nervous system that involves the production of a dense fibrous network of neuroglia (supporting cells) in areas of damage.  Thirdly, this occurs in the spinal cord, optic nerve (nerve for transmitting visual images), and white matter of the brain.  Lastly, Gliosis is a prominent feature of many diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis and stroke.

 

Diagnosis and Findings on Imaging

No single test can diagnose MS. The medical history, neurologic exam and lab tests helps rule out other diseases and confirm MS. For example, Laboratory evaluation may reveal mild lymphocytosis (increased white blood cells) or increased protein count in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Immunoglobulm G (type of antibody) are more often seen in the CSF.

Furthermore, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will demonstrate multifocal areas of patchy demyelination in the brain or cervical (neck) spinal cord.  

Dr. Natalie Meiri treating a patient

 
Management of Multiple Sclerosis

First, there is no cure for MS.

Second, natural Nutritional approaches may help, but there is not enough research.  Some studies suggest that an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids and metabolic enzyme supplements help.  This nutritional supplementation may assist in providing an adequate lipid pool for oligodentrocytes (cell concerned with the production of myelin in the central nervous system). Also, antioxidants such as vitamins A, beta-carotene, E, C with bioflavinoids, and selenium may help with myelin membrane perioxidation (free radical reaction).  

Third, chiropractic is a popular CAM (complementary alternative medicine) therapy for symptom relief of M.S.  In one study, conservative chiropractic manual adjustive therapies were provided to address spinal segmental dysfunction.  And the patient reported complete absence of symptoms following the first treatment intervention.

Are you seeking a natural treatment to help relieve Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms?  Your chiropractor in West Palm Beach can help you manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. Call 561-253-8984 today to make an appointment or to find out more about Chiropractic Care in West Palm Beach: Multiple Sclerosis Pain Relief.

 

 

If you have knee pain from a collateral ligament injury, Chiropractic can provide relief! This post is about Knee Pain and Chiropractic Treatment: Collateral Ligament Injury.

 

Anatomy of the knee: Femur (thigh bone), Tibia (shin bone), Fibula (thin, outer long bone of the leg), and the Patella (kneecap)

There are three “articulations” (joint or juncture between bones or cartilages) at the knee: the tibiofemoral, patellofemoral, and tibiofibular articulations. However, only the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral articulations participate in knee joint activity. The tibiofibular articulation/joint does not actually contribute to the actions of the knee. Instead, it is part of the ankle joint complex moving the ankle in all the various ranges of motion. However, dysfunctional processes in the proximal tibiofibular articulation/joint can affect other knee functions and can be a source of knee pain.

So the tibiofemoral and tibiofibular are synovial articulations.  These are freely movable joints. And the bony surfaces are coated with hyaline cartilage.  It is unified by a fibrous articular capsule. However, the third articulation, patellofemoral, is a functional joint (non-synovial joint).   

 More Anatomy of the Knee

First, the knee is supported by the joint capsule, its cartilage “thickenings”, and the collateral-ligamentous system.  And the collateral ligaments (band of tissue that connects a bone to another bone) are located on either side of your knee outside your knee joint.

Second, internally the knee is stabilized and the control of rotation is provided by the meniscocruciate system. There are two C-shaped cartilage like structures, each one called a meniscus. The menisci aid in shock absorption and help govern rotational movement at the knee.

Third, the cruciates, capsule, and collateral ligaments connect the femur to the tibia. The cruciates are a pair of ligaments that cross each other in the knee, connecting the tibia and the femur. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is smaller (size of the little finger) than the Posterior Cruciate Ligament.  It’s usually more readily injured than the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) (size of the thumb). The cruciates allow tension to develop through most ranges of motion. 

 

Cause of Pain in the Knee due to Collateral Ligament Injuries

Firstly, the knee is affected by a variety of conditions.  However, a traumatic event is by far the most common. The MCL (medial collateral ligament) is the most commonly injured knee ligament, and LCL (lateral collateral ligament) injuries are usually associated with more severe knee injuries.  So injuries to the collateral ligaments usually require some type of traumatic force.

Secondly, in external rotation of the knee, your toes go outward and your heel goes inward.  A frequent trauma occurs with a twisting external rotation movement of the knee while flexed (bent).  Furthermore, a valgus/abduction (hit from outside of knee) blow to the knee is another common mechanism for MCL injuries. In contrast, a LCL injury may occur with a varus/adduction (hit from inside of knee) blow to the knee. 

Thirdly, the knee joint is innervated (supplied) by spinal nerve segments L3–S1.  Therefore, in cases of pain of nontraumatic onset, problems elsewhere in (e.g. segments L3–S1) must be ruled out. Lastly, the lumbar spine, hip, and foot are possible sources of referred pain to the knee as well. 

Fourthly, chronic strain through valgus-loading of the knee (e.g., pronation) can cause nontraumatic injury. Ultimately, this repetitive stress injury can lead to a collateral ligament sprain.

Finally, your doctor should take all the above into account when examining, diagnosing and then treating your knee.  Of course, you will require imaging such as an x-ray or/and M.R.I. to properly diagnose your knee condition.

 

Collateral Ligament Injury Grades

With first-degree tears, you will frequently not have any history of trauma.  You may report more mild to moderate pain at the knee. And overuse activity may have brought on this knee sprain.

When the tear is second or third degree, there is usually a traumatic incident as described above. You will have sharp knee pain with associated swelling at the time of injury.

 

Dr. Natalie Meiri adjusts a patient's knee
Dr. Natalie Meiri adjusts a patient’s knee

 

Knee Pain and Chiropractic Treatment: Collateral Ligament Injury

First, chiropractic manipulative therapy is rendered to the knee and associated spine and extremity (limb) joints.

 

Second, manipulation of muscle contractures with soft tissue techniques is utilized.  Some Techniques include gentle PNF/PIR (e.g. post isometric relaxation) and/or myofascial release techniques. 

 

Finally, Therapeutic exercises for rehabilitation/ strengthening are prescribed. 

 

Getting regular chiropractic treatment at a chiropractic center in West Palm Beach can help naturally relieve the pain and dysfunction of the knee. Chiropractic is a holistic and natural way to not only treat existing conditions, but to keep your body in its best working condition.

Contact Meiri Chiropractic today at 561-253-8984  to make an appointment on Knee Pain and Chiropractic Treatment:  Collateral Ligament Injury or/and other ailments.