1. Be Open to Alternative Therapies
If you're frustrated with mainstream medicine, try something new. Swedish massage, myofascial release and acupuncture are safe and well tolerated by many people with MS, and some patients report symptom relief after just a few sessions. Massage and myofascial release can be effective for relieving muscle spasticity and increasing healing blood flow to painful areas. Focus on your body's response throughout the session, making the therapist aware of what works and what does not. Massage treatments should not cause you excessive discomfort or exacerbate numbness. Acupuncture has been reported to reduce pain and spasticity symptoms in many of those dealing with MS. A traditional Chinese therapy form, acupuncture encourages the body to heal itself by unblocking its natural energy flow. Visit Acufinder.com to find a licensed acupuncturist or Chinese medicine clinic in your region.
2. Participate in Meditation, Prayer or Relaxation Techniques
Through calming anxiety and soliciting an inner focus, meditation and relaxation techniques have been proven effective as coping mechanisms for chronic pain patients. Prayer and relaxation increases the number of alpha waves in the brain, which promotes mind-body relaxation and tension release. Those who achieve a meditative state claim that, while pain is still physically present, contemplation and deep breathing have allowed their bodies to relax--in the midst of the pain. In medical studies, meditation and prayer have also been found to have a positive effect on brain and immune function.
3. Develop an Exercise Regimen
In addition to the overall physical benefits, exercise is proven to be therapeutic in a number of ways. Studies have found that exercise increases endorphins and adrenaline, which lift your mood and block pain signals to the brain. On a particularly symptomatic pain day, try a trip to the gym, walk in the sunshine, or participate in pool therapy treatment or a wheelchair yoga session. In addition to pain relief, MS patients who exercise regularly report sleeping better, having more energy and feeling less depressed.
4. Discuss Pharmaco-Intervention With Your Medical Provider
There are a variety of pain types experienced by MS patients, and alternative therapies may not provide the relief you need. Neuropathic pain is caused from spinal cord and nerve malfunction, and often manifests itself in muscle spasms and shooting, shock-type pain. Acute pain can come from myelin inflammation, and it may be the source of your optic neuritis or pounding headache. In addition, MS patients may suffer from secondary pain caused by frequent tightening and fatiguing of muscles due to the short-circuited nervous system. Talk with your health care provider about the medications available for your symptoms. She may prescribe tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, anticonvulsants or anti-anxiety medications to reduce MS-related pain, depending on its source and your tolerance to drugs.
