Treating multiple sclerosis holistically
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It can affect the brain and the entire spinal cord. Research into the causes of many chronic diseases has made great progress in the last 100 years, but this is not the case for MS. “Unfortunately, we still do not understand enough about the mechanisms of disease development”, stated PD Dr. Jens Kuhle, Head of the Multiple Sclerosis Centre in Basel, in the Berner Zeitung on 19.11.2019. Although certain risk factors are known to promote the outbreak of this autoimmune disease, including viral infections (such as those caused by herpes, measles, or Epstein-Barr viruses), smoking, genetic disposition, unhealthy nutrition and environmental factors, there is still a lack of knowledge surrounding how the disease develops. It is known, however, that in industrialised countries such as Germany, MS cases have doubled in the last 40 years.(1) In Japan, the number of cases has even quadrupled in the same period.(2)
Which disruptive factors foster the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis?
At the Alpstein Clinic, we focus our diagnosis on the possible disruptive factors that can lead to, or worsen, an autoimmune disease like MS. As such, we remove environmental factors such as exposure to heavy metals, pesticides and insecticides, as well as exposure to plastics, plasticizers, etc. We employ additional laboratory diagnostics to determine whether the patient has a good body-detoxification function. We also check for any increase in viral load (e.g. from the Epstein-Barr virus). In addition, we attach great importance to excluding possible dental interference fields, such as chronic inflammatory processes, or disruptive dental materials (amalgam, gold, titanium, etc.). The list of interference fields to consider at the beginning of treatment is long. However, it is necessary to precisely identify these factors in advance, in order to address them with a holistic therapy concept that will not only free the body from them, but also rebuild and stabilise the overall physical state. This is primarily achieved through the initiation of various detoxification and drainage procedures, tooth restoration, build-up and muscle-nerve infusions, etc., as well as oral orthomolecular therapies, and the initiation of pain therapy.
At the Alpstein Clinic, we are fortunate to be able to work with our patients not only on the physical level, but also on a spiritual and emotional level, through our talk therapist, Ms. Flavia Krogh.
Multiple Sclerosis: A socio-psychological and psychosomatic perspective
Multiple sclerosis (meaning literally ‘multiple hardening’) affects the body on numerous levels: pain, fatigue, progressive paralysis, loss of balance, double vision and bladder infections. The disease ultimately forces the patient to use a wheelchair, making them increasingly unable to do things for themselves, and more and more dependent on external help. Over time, everything is taken away from them, as if they were a small child. If you study the biographies of MS sufferers, you will find that it is common for them to completely withdraw on a psychological-emotional level and no longer perceive their own needs (figuratively speaking, for example, bladder infections stand for ‘unwept tears’ from a psychosomatic perspective). MS patients slow themselves down to the point of internal paralysis. They subordinate themselves and become inflexible with themselves. An obsession with self-control determines their lives. In time, they become enemies to themselves, often feeling guilty, are unable to forgive themselves for their subjectively perceived mistakes, and become over-controlled perfectionists.
The physical symptoms of the disease reflect this description of the often unreflected picture of the soul. Moreover, the disease symbolically displays the route to recovery. By being instructed to seek help from others and by being restricted to a wheelchair, the affected person must ultimately learn to give up a lot of self-control. This unhealthy process often begins in early childhood, just as the disease presents in its advanced stages. If we interpret the above-mentioned statistics from this perspective, it makes a lot of sense that the disease has increased significantly, particularly in countries like Germany and Japan. These are the very countries where perfection and/or social subordination are recognized as virtues and are considered as cultural values to strive for. Children are already strictly introduced to the goals of control and self-discipline at a young age, both at home and through the school system. Similarly, perfection and/or social inclusion or subordination are a daily theme in the world of work. These values are even seen as cultural strengths, and accordingly have an identity-building effect.
In a psychological consultation, the origins and motives of this ‘self-paralysis’ are identified and reflected upon. By making people aware of former traumatic experiences, thought patterns and unconscious assumptions, they can be empowered to make new decisions, to give up the ‘self-paralysis’, and to reorganise their lives anew. The more the affected persons get involved in this stimulating process, the more possibility of healing on a physical level. Our body mirrors hidden emotional processes, unconscious beliefs and emotions through illnesses and symptoms, with the intention of encouraging us to treat ourselves more lovingly and healthily. If we then, in the course of this process, appreciate ourselves benevolently, we automatically do the same for our fellow human beings: it is worth listening to this special ‘body language’!(3)
Arrange a non-binding initial consultation now
Would you like to learn more about holistic treatment of multiple sclerosis in an initial conversation with our team of doctors? Please take a few moments to fill out our medical questionnaire and make an appointment.
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(1) Thomas Müller, Ärztezeitung (https://www.aerztezeitung.de/medizin/krankheiten/neuro-psychiatrische_krankheiten/multiple_sklerose/article/960411/multiple-sklerose-heute-viele-ms-kranke-gibt.html [Viewed on 17.08.2018]). In German.
(2) Thomas Müller, Ärztezeitung (https://www.aerztezeitung.de/medizin/krankheiten/neuro-psychiatrische_krankheiten/multiple_sklerose/article/946497/ms-tagung-ms-praevalenz-steigt-weltweit-liegt-ernaehrung.html [Viewed on 17.08.2018]). In German.
(3) See Ruediger Dahlke, Krankheit als Symbol. Handbuch der Psychosomatik und Integralen Medizin. Symptome Be-Deutung, Behandlung, Einlösung. C.Bertelsmann Verlag, Munich, 2014, S.576 ff. In German.