It has been shown that conventional medicine is not potent enough to control the complications of the multiple sclerosis and MS related symptoms Most patients seek for different treatment strategies.Considering the points that MS prevalence in Canada is highest in the world – due to the geographic positioning and high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency – and debilitating nature of the disease with minimal effect on longevity that leave patients with severe disabilities in some cases in their middle age, all health practitioners should seek ways – ranging from patient education to manual treatment in addition to conventional treatment- to help patients live a pain-free independent life.
Although there is no solid research available to back craniosacral therapy effects in treating MS related symptoms other than few case reports, there are two recent valid pilot studies that have been led by two different team showed the effectiveness of manual osteopathy is controlling chronic pain and fatigue and depression related to MS. These researches confirm the findings of Yates et al that suggested osteopathic manipulative treatment combined with maximal-effort exercise reduced fatigue and increased strength and ambulatory levels in patients with multiple sclerosis significantly. Since there is no FDA-Approved medicine available for controlling MS-related fatigue, manual osteopathy should be taken in to the consideration to treat patients with MS.
While people with multiple sclerosis should maintain their conventional therapies, it is a good idea to use some holistic approach to address their problems too. Since we are talking about a disease with devastating disabilities that target active individuals we have to use all possible choices to prevent these disastrous outcomes. Manual osteopathy postpone the complete disability of these patients and help them to have an independent life and do their daily routine which is so important for elevating the quality of life of these patients.
It’s our goal as health practitioners to keep all individuals active while we are trying to alleviate their pain. Since it has been backed by science and considering the gentle nature of the osteopathy, using manual osteopathic techniques for addressing pain in individuals with multiple sclerosis seems to be a great option. Yes! It’s time for osteopathy.
