Here at Equilibrium we are committed to being an integrative practice, working with other medical professionals to improve outcomes for our patients (like our collaborative study with OHSU), which is why we love living and working in a city filled with cutting-edge scientists and healthcare professionals who are innovating every day to improve the lives of others. We are always excited to recognize the work of our colleagues in the medical field. A particularly exciting development for the world of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases was recently revealed: a new compound developed at OHSU has big implications for the future of Multiple Sclerosis treatment.
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. More specifically, it’s myelin, the sheath that covers nerve fibers that is attacked by the immune system. The tissue damage can slow or block the electrical signals, causing problems with vision, movement, muscle strength, coordination and thinking. It’s currently unknown exactly what causes MS. Most MS patients are diagnosed anywhere from 20-50 years old, and typically vision problems are the first symptom though symptom array can vary widely between patients.
This new compound appears to protect nerve fibers and the sheath, myelin, that covers nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, which could play an important role in treating or preventing the progression of Multiple Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative conditions. The compound, called sobetirome, not only stimulates repair after damage, but may also prevent damage from occurring in the first place.
While chiropractic care cannot cure MS, there can be benefits. MS can cause chronic inflammation and swelling in the joints which further affects mobility. Chiropractic care can make it easier to walk, grasp objects, and maintain healthy posture for MS patients by realigning joints, decreasing inflammation, and in some cases by relieving nerve disfunction. Consult with your doctor to see if chiropractic care could be a beneficial part of your MS treatment plan.