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Acupuncture and MS

Jill Brookes

Open Door Autumn 2000 pages 11-13

Introduction

Originally from China, acupuncture has been practised in the east for centuries and in recent years has become an increasingly popular treatment in the UK. There is now a body of research building up which demonstrates its efficacy for a range of conditions, from back pain to post-operative nausea. Also, when used by professionally qualified therapists, it is a very safe treatment modality. Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which also includes herbal medicine, massage, exercise and diet, and it is often referred to as a holistic therapy as it treats the whole person and not just isolated symptoms. It is perhaps more accurate to refer to acupuncture as a complementary therapy however, especially with regard to the treatment of a disease like MS, as the person having treatment should maintain a link with their GP and neurologist in order to receive the best possible care.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of using fine needles to stimulate invisible lines of energy (called meridians) running beneath the surface of the body. Along each of these meridians are a number of points (acupoints) where the Qi can be accessed and manipulated. There are approximately 365 acupoints on the body, although only about half of these are regularly used. According to Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on our body's motivating energy (Qi - pronounced chee) moving in a smooth and balanced way through these meridians. If this becomes unbalanced then illness may result. By inserting fine needles into a prescription of acupoints the acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing response and help restore natural balance.

Many of the points used are adaptogenic; that is, they bring the body function of that point into balance. For example, acupoint Large Intestine 4 can relieve both constipation and diarrhoea. In an ideal situation all the meridians, and, therefore, all of the points on the meridians will be in balance, but there are a number of factors that can upset this balance and disturb the smooth flow of Qi. They include emotional states, diet, trauma, weather conditions, drugs, exercise and rest and hereditary factors and we are all subject to them in varying degrees. By taking these factors into account the acupuncturist can then advise on the most appropriate changes and how they can affect the overall health of the person seeking treatment. It is therefore very common for a TCM trained acupuncturist to give advice about appropriate diet, eating habits, stress management, exercise and rest which is tailored to the person's diagnosis.

How do we diagnose in TCM acupuncture?

In Western Medicine we use disease categories like osteoarthritis, MS, optic neuritis and stomach ulcer. In TCM we usually diagnose on the basis of Zangfu pathology. Zangfu translates as viscera and each of the visceral organs has a number of specific energetic functions. For example, one of the functions of the Liver is responsibility for the smooth flow of Qi and it is often the first Zangfu to be affected by stress. Stress causes the Liver to become constrained and this affects how smoothly Qi travels through the body, so that there can be too much in one place and not enough in another. Many muscular problems can be made worse by, if not caused by, the Liver Qi not flowing smoothly. What should be stressed at this point is that there is not a physical problem with the liver, but that there is an energetic problem with the Liver. We identify this difference by using lower case for the physical liver and a capital L for the energetic Liver.

A number of factors may affect a particular Zangfu and we call these aetiological factors. It is important therefore that we find out as much as we can about the symptoms and lifestyle even though, in Western Medicine, many of these would seem unconnected to the diagnosis. It does mean that the initial consultation is quite lengthy (up to 90 minutes) when compared to Western Medicine consultations. The diagnosis includes questioning, observation and analysis of the pulse and tongue. What the acupuncturist is looking for is not symptoms in isolation but a pattern into which is woven a total picture of the person. Tongue and pulse diagnosis are highly refined in TCM; for example, the tongue, through its shape, colour, movement and coating indicates the progression and degree of the illness. During this initial consultation the acupuncturist will ask about current and past symptoms, past medical and family history, diet and lifestyle, sleep patterns and emotional state. By analysing this information, a diagnosis can be developed and a treatment plan formulated.

The practical application of acupuncture

Acupuncture is playing an increasing role in the treatment of many diseases and MS is no exception. Not only can it often improve the symptoms that the person with MS might experience but also improve general health and thereby mitigate some of the predisposing aetiological factors of a relapse or temporary exacerbation. By teaching acupressure massage techniques to people with MS and their families the treatment can also be supplemented at home, thus allowing people to feel they have more control over what is happening to them.

MS is truly an individual disease with no two people having exactly the same constellation of symptoms. The philosophy underpinning acupuncture fully embraces this and therefore no two acupoint prescriptions are the same. This individualised treatment can also help to mitigate the side effects of some drugs prescribed for symptom management in MS, thus complementing the orthodox approach. Acupuncture should not be seen as an alternative to orthodox medicine however, especially in the treatment of a disease as complex as MS. Its strength lies in its ability, when used appropriately, to complement orthodox supervision and treatment.

As we have seen, many things can disturb the smooth flow of Qi. They include emotional states, diet, trauma, weather conditions, drugs, exercise and rest and hereditary factors. By taking these factors into account the acupuncturist can then advise on the most appropriate changes and how they can affect the overall health of the person with MS.

The most impressive results in the treatment of MS using acupuncture appear to be with the relapsing remitting type. Experience suggests that acupuncture can pull a patient out of a relapse regardless of the presenting symptoms. However, as a general rule, the longer the symptoms have been present the more difficult they may be to resolve.

Symptoms that generally respond well to acupuncture include:

  • Muscular weakness
  • Spasticity
  • Pain
  • Vision problems
  • Tremor
  • Balance/co-ordination
  • Dizziness
  • Bladder infections
  • Fatigue
  • Mental/emotional problems

Symptoms that have a mixed outcome include:

  • Bladder problems
  • Bowel problems
  • Numbness/tingling
  • Tinnitus
  • Memory/concentration problems

Symptoms that are secondary to MS can often be resolved. For example:

  • Poor/excess appetite
  • Lowered immunity
  • Frustration/anger/resentment
  • Side effects from medication

Acupuncture can therefore have an impact on the quality of life of a person with MS, although not always in the way they expect. For example, Mrs F came for treatment as she frequently needed to get up in the night to visit the toilet. After a course of 10 treatments she was still having to get up 2-3 times a night (from 5-6 times), but she reported having much more energy and feeling much better both in herself and about herself.

Also, anecdotal evidence suggests that regular acupuncture treatment seems to have an effect on the time between relapses. Relapses become less frequent and they are easier to get over. Some underlying deterioration may still occur however, which suggests that this may be explained by a shift from relapsing remitting disease to secondary progressive disease.

Another issue to consider is that people with MS are not exempt from developing other physical problems. They probably have at least the same risk factors as the rest of the population, and, for some things such as bladder infections, are often more at risk. Because of posture there may be a greater risk from back and neck problems; poor co-ordination or balance can result in sprains and strains. Coughs and colds, asthma or hayfever, heart disease or high blood pressure can all be present, and acupuncture has a role in treating all of these conditions.

Finally, many of the medications that people with MS are offered to 'help' with symptoms cause side effects, for example, dry mouth, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, feeling 'wiped out', nausea, constipation, diarrhoea - the list is endless. I don't suggest such medication should be avoided as it is so helpful for many people, simply that it is used carefully. And if people with MS do choose to use drugs, then acupuncture may help with the side effects.

Acupuncture cannot cure MS therefore, but it can improve quality of life and this is an important aspect of treatment. Personally, if my quality of life is enhanced then I care less about what I can't do and enjoy what I can.

Jill Brookes, BA (Hons), MA, Dip Ac, MBAcC, has MS herself and is a practising acupuncturist.

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