This article has been reviewed and fact checked by Dr. David Minkoff, M.D. who is a board-certified doctor, practicing medicine since 1974.
Article Summary
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological autoimmune condition that can cause difficulty with balance, vision impairment, muscle control, and basic functions of the body.
- (MS) is a condition in which immune cells attack the myelin lining of the cells of the central nervous system (CNS).
- MS can either progress sporadically throughout life with periodic flare-ups followed by disappearance of symptoms for periods of time or MS can proceed more uniformly and progressively without symptoms abating.
- MS symptoms can vary widely from person to person leaving some incorrectly diagnosed.
- Conventional treatment does not include many options beyond powerful immunosuppressant drugs which only seek to minimize symptoms.
- LifeWorks Wellness Center offers an all-natural, alternative treatment approach for MS that is based on locating and treating the underlying factors which often trigger the disease.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition in which immune cells attack myelin– the fatty tissue that insulates the nerve fibers. You can think of myelin as being similar to the plastic coating on wiring. In MS the body erroneously attacks the myelin, leaving little scars or “sclerosis”. Multiple sclerosis is named because the myelin is attacked over and over again, creating multiple formations of scar tissue around the nerve fibers.
The resulting inflammation and demyelination process inhibits the transmission of messages throughout the central nervous system which includes the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. The damage can also cause a host of symptoms in the body.
To conventional medicine, the cause of MS is unknown, with scientists having reason to believe that environmental factors trigger the autoimmune response in genetically predisposed persons.
However, we have found a pattern of underlying factors which when treated effectively, can often put the disease into remission and sometimes even reverse the condition.
Contact LifeWorks
727-466-6789
727-451-1010
Friday: 9:00am – 4pm
Clearwater, FL 33756
Become A Patient
"*" indicates required fields
Types of MS
There are four types of MS1:
1. Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS)
In order to be defined as a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) a neurological episode must last at least 24 hours. However, a diagnosis of MS is not yet made. If on a brain scan (MRI) there is evidence of lesions such as those that are seen in MS, the person has a high chance of another neurological episode. If this happens, the person is diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. If no lesions are present, there is a much lower chance of developing MS.
Those with CIS who show lesions related to the current symptoms and who may have other lesions from a previous episode in a different area of the brain are at high-risk for developing MS and should be treated.
2. Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
With relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients have episodes of neurological symptoms and may have complete remission where all symptoms disappear. In some cases, certain symptoms may remain and become permanent. Also during this phase, the disease may gradually worsen so that each episode of symptoms is more pronounced than the last.
3. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)
Secondary progressing MS (SPMS) is characterized as a gradual worsening of symptoms after an acute episode such that the person progressively worsens. Symptoms become more pronounced and permanent. Each case of SPMS is unique and patients do not necessarily have the same symptoms or the same severity of disability.
4. Primary progressive MS (PPMS)
Primary progressing MS (PPMS) is diagnosed when symptoms steadily or gradually worsen from the first neurological episode. This form of the disease is not characterized by early relapses or remissions as with RRMS, however, there may be times where the disease is not worsening and remains stable.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases are notorious for their wide range of symptoms. While one person can experience only a few to a varying degree, another can experience a multitude of symptoms on and off, or in a gradually worsening trajectory.
Every case of MS is different, and not everyone will exhibit the following symptoms. However, these are the most common among MS patients:
- Blurry vision or eye pain (often a first symptom)
- Numbness or tingling sensation in hands or feet (often a first symptom)
- Chronic fatigue
- Dizziness
- Muscle weakness
- Chronic pain
- Difficulties walking or maintaining balance
- Muscle spasms – especially in the legs
- Depression
Other symptoms of MS that are less common include:
- Speech problems
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Breathing problems
- Impaired hearing
- Seizures
If you have experienced any combination of these symptoms continuously or on an intermittent basis, you should see a qualified doctor to rule out this autoimmune disease.
What Causes Multiple Sclerosis?
According to various epidemiologic studies, MS is more prevalent in areas far from the equator. Some scientists have theorized that this higher risk for MS is caused by decreased exposure to sunlight in northern areas. With less sunlight, there is a decreased production of vitamin D– a vitamin that is thought to play a vital role in immune system function.
Infectious microbes are yet another possible “trigger” for multiple sclerosis. Various viruses have been investigated to determine whether they are possibly the cause or at least one of the causes of MS, but there is no definitive evidence that can narrow it down to just one factor.
Stress, leaky gut and a compromised immune system may also be contributing factors to the development of MS.
There is growing evidence that smoking increases one’s chance of developing MS. Likewise, evidence also shows that when a person stops smoking the debilitating effects of MS will develop at a slower rate.
Who Gets Multiple Sclerosis?
People are most likely to be diagnosed with MS in their late 20s to mid-30s. However, MS can occur in young children and older adults as well.
Cases of MS have been found in most ethnic groups, but the highest prevalence of MS occurs with Caucasians of northern European descent. As with other autoimmune diseases, MS is diagnosed more than two times as often in women as it is in men.
A person that has a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with MS has a much higher risk of developing MS themselves. In the United States, the average person has about 1/10th of one percent chance of developing MS, whereas a person with a first-degree relative with MS has a 2.5% to 5% chance of developing MS. This genetic predisposition is a common factor in most autoimmune diseases including Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.
Conventional Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
While we take a different approach to healing, conventional treatments for multiple sclerosis involve the use of medications to attempt to interrupt the course of the disease or manage the symptoms. The overall treatment plan involves a series of injections, oral medications, and infused medications. In addition, high-dose corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation in severe neurological episodes.
Rehabilitation is another part of the conventional treatment protocol that focuses on the patient’s fitness level and energy levels. Rehabilitation may include therapy for speech, swallowing, mobility, strength, and brain health.
Finally, conventional treatment may include emotional support through mental health counseling, patient education, and treatment of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that may accompany this debilitating disease.
We believe that these treatments may provide some benefit in managing symptoms but do not address the underlying factors of the disease and therefore miss the mark.
Dr. Minkoff Explains Auto-Immunity
Alternative Treatment for MS
Instead of thinking of Multiple Sclerosis as a fixed, static condition, we look at it as a deterioration of multiple bodily systems and functions, which combined create a variety of symptoms which have been labeled as “MS”.
Systems deteriorate or malfunction over time when the body has been chronically overwhelmed or unable to keep up with normal repair functions, due to some underlying factor (infection, toxicity, pathogen, autoimmune condition, etc). These hidden factors are sidelining and diverting your body’s available resources and energy into trying to cope with these hidden factors and that sets the stage for a disease process to take hold.
Our approach is based on locating and treating these hidden underlying factors. This opens the door to more treatment vectors to address and correct, which eliminates these hidden burdens and restores energy, immune and neurological function, thereby releasing the full miraculous healing power of the human body. And that’s why we see so many amazing recoveries using this approach.
We use both conventional and alternative methods to locate these contributory factors. Our testing may include one or more of the following:
- Testing for heavy metal toxicity
- Testing for Lyme disease
- Testing for autoimmune conditions
- Testing for food allergies
- Testing for Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Testing for inflammatory markers
- Nutritional dietary deficiency testing – checks for nutritional deficiencies or abnormalities in neurotransmitters, hormones, macronutrients and micronutrients, minerals, essential fatty acids, and the like.
- CNS neurocognitive test – assesses the neurocognitive status of the patient including motor skills and performance, memory, attention, and executive functioning.
- MRI with volumetrics – assesses neurodegeneration even at the early stages.
- MoCA cognitive assessment – reveals information on cognitive functioning.
- Vascular health assessment – shows symptoms of heart and vascular disease and the status of the patient’s blood circulation and blood pressure
Natural Treatment Interventions for Multiple Sclerosis
We believe that patients with MS and other neurological issues can make significant improvements using a holistic approach.
To accomplish this, we use a variety of alternative treatments and therapies based on the findings of the test results.
- Autoimmune Treatment – treatment to restore proper functioning of the immune system so it is not attacking the patient’s own body.
- Repairing Gut Issues – addressing Leaky Gut Syndrome which is a common trigger for autoimmunity and inflammation. In the case of MS, the body can mistakenly attack the myelin sheathing around nerves.
- Addressing Inflammation – test and treat systemic inflammation, infections, gut issues, other causes of inflammation.
- Food Allergy Treatment – food allergies can trigger autoimmune conditions. In the case of MS, the body attacks the myelin sheathing on nerve cells, leading to poor nerve transmission.
- Lyme Disease Resolution – if labs come back positive for Lyme we will treat and rid the body of Lyme.
- Dietary and Nutritional Deficiencies – clearing up nutritional deficiencies, supporting the body with the right nutraceuticals to improve neurological health including macro/micronutrients, minerals, hormones, neurotransmitters, essential fatty acids, etc..
- Intermittent fasting – through intermittent fasting the body is able to take periodic breaks from digestion so the body can focus all its resources on healing.
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Technology – emission of electromagnetic waves to stimulate the body’s own healing properties
- Peptide Therapy – utilizes specific chains of amino acids called peptides to signal cells to turn on or turn off certain functions. This works to help regulate and rejuvenate neuroendocrine-immune function.
- Cell Recovery – using protein extracts that help cells to recover.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – delivers pure oxygen to the patient in a pressurized chamber. Has been shown effective for neurological conditions.2
- Vielight NeURO – delivers photons to a light-sensitive enzyme in the mitochondria which is known to trigger self-repair mechanisms in the cells, enhance cognition, and protect cell neurons.
- Celergen – an anti-aging cell therapy supplement that promotes cell renewal and stimulation.
- BrainTap – tapping into specific brainwave states, BrainTap helps to reboot and revitalize the brain, promotes relaxation, and reduces stress on the body and mind.
- BrainHQ – brain training exercises that improve brain health.
- Health Coaching – helps patients keep track of their nutrition, exercise, supplements, and other suggested changes.
Why LifeWorks Wellness Center?
At LifeWorks Wellness Center we believe that health conditions such as multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases are preventable and in many cases are reversible.
We are one of the top holistic MS and autoimmune disease clinics in the state of Florida and have successfully treated patients from all over the country.
If you are searching for a more natural approach to MS treatment, you should reach out to us to learn more about your options.
Early intervention can help prevent further myelin damage and even reverse MS. Our goal is to see our patients live a more healthy life.
Early intervention can help prevent further myelin damage and even reverse MS. Our goal is to see our patients live a more healthy life.
Learn More About Holistic MS Treatment
We have helped many patients who suffer from MS find relief and recover their health and we would love to answer any questions you may have about our treatment program.
Dr. David Minkoff, M.D. is a board-certified doctor, practicing medicine since 1974. Patients travel from all over the world to see our specialists and heal naturally.
To discuss your symptoms or to schedule an appointment, call us at our Clearwater clinic at (727) 466-6789 or submit an online patient inquiry.
References
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Types of MS.
- NCBI, Neural Regeneration Research, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a new treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease, May 2018, Ronit Shapira, Shai Efrati, and Uri Ashery*
Other Pages
Helpful Autoimmune Disease Resources
- Autoimmune Disease Treatment Specialists - our main site section dedicated to treating Autoimmune Disease
- Autoimmune Disease Treatment Videos - The Doctors tell you all about Autoimmune Disease.