Health & Wellness

There are proven methods to ease disease-related symptoms and to enhance the quality of life for MS patients. Such methods include both pharmaceutical disease-modifying therapies and complementary and alternative medicine, often used as a supplemental treatment by patients for a holistic approach. 

There are no cures or guaranteed changes to the course of MS; however, the use of CAM is commonly used by patients either in place of or in addition to prescribed pharmaceuticals. There are numerous methods of CAM available, practiced by certified specialists with backgrounds in MS and autoimmune illnesses. One of the top options for treating people with MS is massage therapy.

Problems from many symptoms – including pain, fatigue, spasticity, poor circulation, anxiety, depression, and stress – may be improved or lessened with massage. During a massage, a licensed therapist will manually manipulate muscles, ligaments, connective tissues, and tendons to promote relaxation and improve circulation. Massage therapy is often used as a method to reduce MS-related fatigue. This treatment may boost one’s mood, improve physical and social functioning, and help patients handle anxiety and depression resulting from their symptoms.

The benefits of massage therapy treatment vary from person to person. The same patient may have the same treatment multiple times and may respond to that same treatment differently each time. Therefore, it is important to see a massage therapist who can assess symptom-related needs and responses and adjust accordingly.

There are various massage techniques to address different areas of the body and multiple symptoms.

Therapists will use techniques with changeable methods and differing levels of pressure and intensity, as there is not one type that is best suited for all MS patients. If a massage interests you, it is best to talk with your neurologist to  recommend treatment that may be beneficial and to identify a known practitioner to visit.

Some additional factors to consider when choosing and seeking massage therapy are:

• Preference for a male or female therapist
• Convenience of location for visits
• Cost and potential insurance coverage

Once a therapist has been chosen, it is important to have open communication about needs and expectations. Your therapist should know how to tailor your treatment accordingly. It is also important to understand that relief may not be felt immediately once treatment begins. Several sessions, various techniques, and different therapists may be used before finding what works best for you.

Massage therapy is not a cure. It is, instead, an assistive method of treatment. Symptoms will not be eliminated, but you may feel relief. If massage does nothing more than help you destress and relax, that may be enough to validate its use.

Massage and Yoga

An additional CAM therapy that may directly coordinate with massage is yoga. Yoga is a mind-body practice consisting of poses, stretching, and breathing techniques. Poses and movements are used to improve muscular flexibility, strength, and balance. 

Meditation and breathing techniques may help in reducing stress and anxiety. Used together, in a complementary fashion, massage therapy and yoga can create a well-rounded approach to both physical and mental health.

MS Focus recognizes the benefits of yoga and provides a fee online Chair Yoga class every other Monday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.

Patricia Salner, a certified yoga instructor, teaches the majority of the classes and her fellow Yogi, Leslie Gordon, also a certified instructor, believe that yoga is a valuable CAM treatment for MS patients, she emphatically responded, “Yes!” and went on to explain her belief that yoga is good for everyone. She detailed how, for MS patients, the value of more energy, maintenance of muscle, and enhanced balance and strength may be found.

If you are interested in joining the weekly Chair Yoga class, visit msfocus.org to register.