multiple sclerosis MS

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There is a chapter on multiple sclerosis in both The Practice of

by Giovanni Maciocia and The Treatment of Modern

Western Medical Diseases With by Bob Flaws and

Philippe Sionneau. Maciocia says that MS is a type of Atrophy

Syndrome in Chinese medicine. Flaws and Sionneau say the main

characterization of MS in Chinese medicine is " wilting condition "

(wei zheng).

 

All 3 authors talk about the role of Dampness, either invading from

the outside or being engendered in the Interior. Maciocia only

gives the two main patterns that show up in MS: 1. Damp-Phlegm with

Spleen Deficiency and 2. Liver and Kidney Deficiency.

 

Flaws and Sionneau go into more detail and list 6 patterns. Note to

readers new to TCM and to TCM students: Flaws and Sionneau go into

more detail than Maciocia because they are fine-tuning diagnosis and

treatment according to predominate symptoms the MS client presents.

They write in the Remarks section at the end of the chapter, " In our

experience, the single most commonly seen pattern of MS in real-life

Western patients is qi and yin dual vacuity, meaning spleen qi and

liver-kidney yin vacuity. However, this pattern is always

complicated by liver depression, and it is often complicated by any

combination of the following: A) damp heat, B) blood stasis, C)

internal stirring of wing, D) kidney qi vacuity not securing, and E

kidney yang vacuity. In our experience, it is the rule rather than

the exception that there will be five or more concomitant patterns

in cases of MS. Whenever there are such complicated patterns, one

should first identify all patterns present in order of predominance;

two, state the requisite treatment principles ofr each of those

pattterns in the same order; and three, compose on an ad hoc basis a

treatment plan that addresses all those patterns in the same

proportions and with the same priorities. " (p. 358)

 

Note: The Blue Poppy books (Flaws) use the term " vacuity " instead

of Deficiency. Maciocia frequently prefers the term " emptyness "

isntead of Deficiency.

 

The Flaws and Sionneau book also goes into more details on the

Western symptoms of MS than the Maciocia book does. There is a

discussion of the possible role of deficiency of EFAs (Essential

Fatty Acids) in the condition. The book talks about how MS patients

frequently have trouble absorbing enough EFAs as well as various

vitamins and minerals. Which is not surprising considering the

Spleen Deficiency.

 

Both books talk about the importance of a good diet in treating MS.

Good from both a Western and a TCM standpoint. Acupressure and/or

herbs alone are not going to be enough if the patient refuses to

change from a Damp-engendering diet to one that doesn't engender

Dampness.

 

All three authors agree that MS can be treated very successfully in

TCM. In more severe cases that have gone on for years, it may only

be possible to slow progression and offer improvement in some areas.

In cases where the MS has not gone on too long, it is possible for

the person to go into complete and permanent remission provided the

person makes and adheres to the necessary life-style changes like

diet.

 

You may also want to check the acupuncture.com website to see if it

has any articles on MS.