Multiple sclerosis is a disorder that entails the destruction of myelin, which acts as a protective cover in the central nervous system. This condition destroys the spinal cord and brain hence destroying communication of the nervous resulting in a wide range of signs and symptoms that causes difficulties in coordination of the body. Patients with multiple sclerosis often suffer chronic pain at some point in the course of their condition. Chronic pains vary in different ways and categories. Different medications and medical procedures have been researched and testing done on different occasions to ease the recovery process of different patients.
These medication steps and procedures such as meditation reduce chronic pain in these patients as conditions such as neuropathic pain and headaches have been able to be neutralized by medical personnel. This work will give a clear insight of the ways medical teams have come up with ways to reduce chronic pains in patients who have multiple sclerosis and the induction of patients to follow reliable methods towards their recovery.
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Approximately 50-60% of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis account for experiencing chronic or acute pain. Patients usually complain the condition interferes with normal activities and emotions such as mood, sleep, and even enjoying of life in serious conditions. In most cases, these pains make it difficult for patients to carry out day-to-day activities such as hobbies, chores and work hence the need for proper medication to ease the condition. Other conditions such as stress, anxiety, and even depression accompany the pains associated with the disorder.
Several treatment options have been researched and suggestions by different medical personnel and scientists reviewed. These include measures on how to curb, manage, and even eradicate the pains triggered by multiple sclerosis. Options such as painkillers do not provide a long-term solution to the patients as the aching eventually returns. The pain greatly affects the patient's mind as the stress and depression usually arise from mental torture as the patient yearns for recovery. There are nagging questions about the mind such as, what if the pain gets worse? Will the pain ever stop? Are these drugs helpful? Such scenario requires considerations of mental solutions as focusing on physical solutions cannot provide an optimal solution for the patient.
Meditation or mindfulness meditation has successfully proven to reduce chronic pains in multiple sclerosis cases. Clinical trials indicate meditation has been effective reducing up to 57 percent of chronic and acute pains. Experienced meditators reveal the process can be as effective as up to 90 percent. This treatment process soothes patterns in the brain as it directly counters the underlying pain gradually. Over time, these gradual changes reshape the brain itself, and with the same intensity, the patients no longer feel any pain. Health facilities now prescribe mindfulness meditation in treating other diseases that inflict pain and suffering to the patients. Doctors currently rely on this type of treatment to aid cancer, migraine, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and even irritable bowel syndrome patients. This is because this therapy controls the pain by turning down the ‘volume.'
Meditation involves concentrating on different parts of the body. Case example of a patient suffering from a migraine is carefully shown how to focus on the mind to allow him, or she has the virtual image of the mind-body in action. Concentrating on the painful sensations triggered by the mind can give the patient the ability to let go of the anxiety and struggle with them. When the patient does this, the stress and pain will melt away slowly on its concurrence. Mindfulness meditation therapies categorize pain in two different ways, primary pain, and secondary pain. Primary pain results from damages inflicted on the nervous system and body, injuries and even illnesses. The mind's reaction to the first pain, on the other hand, causes the development of secondary pain, which last for a longer time and are intense.
Scientists prefer meditation to handle chronic pain in multiple sclerosis as the procedure trains the mind how to analyze the pain through emotions, thoughts, and memories to narrow down the source of the pain and melt it. Meditation searches for clues and sources triggering the pain and provides solutions for patients struggling with MS as a condition. Adelsberger and McNulty (2017) suggest that regular meditation is usually advisable as it prevents constant overlaying of tension and stress on the mind. Researchers indicate that thoughts build on experiences and memories without the mind realizing. This causes more fatigue and anxiety building upon the patient's body causing a slower recovery process to chronic pain. According to Jelinek, (2017) meditation provides a countermeasure in helping these patients as it trains the mind to become better in detecting pain more quickly. Multiple sclerosis' patients usually tend to experience negative spirals, as their minds are more susceptible to detect pain faster.
Collard, (2014) agrees that different scans show that patients who experience chronic and acute pains have brains that normally exist with tissues concentrating on pain sensations. Meditation counters this by using the same energy the brain uses on being conscious to pain to treat the patients. Meditation makes the brain better hence optimal functioning of the body to recover and soothing the real secondary pain. Meditation as a medical option gives patients the power to control the pain, relax, and guide the body to heal.
Scientific trials have shown this process to be effective in handling depression, anxiety, exhaustion, and even stress. Its positive effect on the mind has enabled multiple sclerosis patients who prefer to use it to react faster to pain and eventually boosting the body stamina and general mental state of mind. Patients and individuals who meditate regularly tend to live happier lives and are less likely to suffer from depression and distress. Wahls, (2017) agrees that individuals are advised to regularly seek medical consultation in case of any concern about the pain they experience to enable faster and better diagnosis and solution to the problem.
Penman, (2012) asserts that honesty from the patients is highly recommended as the intensity and level to which the pain affects the patient needs proper records accurately noted by medical personnel. Most patients believe solutions to such as ailments are medical prescriptions. Trained medical officers can advise and give a clear insight of reliable medical procedures that may involve therapies rather than sticking to physical treatments in health facilities. Openness from patients will also guide the medical team on the most efficient solution available for provision. This way they will be able to tell the best way to approach meditation as a long-term solution to some of the patients’ cases.
In conclusion, mindfulness meditation is greatly gaining pace as a solution to solving acute and chronic pains across a wide range of disease including multiple sclerosis. Its open and non-judgmental notion makes it easier for patients to live their lives to the fullest despite the real pain. Initiating of these therapies in more health institutions will immensely benefit the wellbeing of the patients and community in general. Research and different statistical reports from health facilities that use this method of treatment account for its benefits on the patients. Patients inducted to use meditation on a regular basis live happy lives as the procedure nourishes the brain relieving the pain resulting from multiple sclerosis.
References
Adelsberger, I., & In McNulty, J. (2017). Overcoming multiple sclerosis cookbook: Delicious recipes for living well on a low saturated fat diet.
Collard, P., & Collard, P. (2014). Little book of mindfulness: 10 minutes a day to less stress, more peace. Place of publication not identified: Hamlyn.
Jelinek, M. D. G. (2017). Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis: The Evidence-based 7 Step Recovery Program. London: Atlantic Books.
Penman, D., & Overdrive Inc. (2012). Mindfulness. S.I.: Rodale.
Wahls, T. L. (2017). The Wahls protocol: A radical new way to treat all chronic autoimmune conditions using paleo principles.
