From a Western perspective MS is characterized by demylinated nerve sheaths of the central nervous system, which consequently result in a lack of fluid nervous transmission, such that indications of nervous system failure result. These symptoms include lack of motor control, problems with walking and control of limbs, intestinal and bladder incontinence, and visual disturbances. Other disturbing developments include memory and concentration problems, extreme fatigue, and lack of sexual energy.

With regard to Western prognosis and treatment, multiple sclerosis is characterized by recurrent periods of exacerbation of symptoms. The disease may progress pathologically to the point of immobilization and confinement, although at times the patient may experience spontaneous and unexplained remissions. There is no treatment, there is no cure, and prognosis is poor. Experimentation with various diets, largely those that eliminate sugar and food allergens, raw foods diets, and those that reduce meat, carbohydrates, and saturated fat, yield varied and/or temporary results, as does stress reduction, mild exercise, and a positive mental attitude.

Up until about 30 years ago, MS was unheard of in China. It first became noticed in large, populated cites. The assumption was advanced that the illness was due to the stress of modern culture as well as the concomitant pollution of contemporary times. Chinese medical theory, inferring from signs and symptoms, advanced that overall, MS was a problem of yin vacuity that originally began with fire in the metal element at an early age. Fever such as scarlet fever, fever accompanying German measles, or other fevers of unexplained origin, were often considered the causative factor that then devolved into other organs’ vacuity of yin, such as yin vacuity of the kidney and the liver.

Interestingly, heat seems to aggravate the condition, a further substantiation that the yin of the body is truly involved. Pathology progresses according to the reverse sheng cycle (opposite to the normal nourishing cycle of the five elements) thus revealing the element and organ disharmonies that will ensue. As water disharmonies develop, the patient is near the end of the elemental cycle where it finally terminates in a return to metal and the extinction of qi or death.

While obviously nothing can be done for this scorching of the yin aspect of metal, still Oriental medicine posits a 40 % chance of success with treatment, which is better than a zero prognosis by Western doctors. In some cases this edge can take the patient to the point of remission, and in others to that of management of the illness’s symptoms, much akin to a pain management protocol, to the point that the patient can cope with many of the symptoms of MS. Treatment needs to be frequent, lifestyle factors adopted like sensible Chinese dietary therapies, and gentle exercise such as stretching, and stress reduction mechanisms implemented.

Oriental medical practitioners may select various places to begin treatment. Treating the manifestation or the branch usually has short-term success. Treating the root and the branch is an option that works better, but beware of too many needles (greater than ten), which can drain the patient—s energy. In my experience with MS patients as well as with any patient, treating the root not only works faster but also produces results that are more sustainable.

Various modalities may be employed but my preferred methods are ear therapy with gold Magrain pellets on the major organs involved, such as lung, kidney, spleen, stomach, liver, and brain as a core formula and shen men.

Before you leave the room, instruct the patient to try not to think of anything, but if they must, to think about the needles tapping into the deepest reserves of the body for replenishment and healing. After the treatment the patient should report a feeling of deep-seated energy, calmness, and lack of pain. Instruct the patient to go home and rest instead of expending any energy acquired by the treatment.

The patient should not feel light-headed, spacey, weak, shaky, or very tired. If any of these scenarios develop, check your needle size, insertion technique, angle and depth of needle insertion, needle manipulation and retention time, any of which may be faulty. Allow the patient to rest five to ten minutes in the treatment room after treatment, to get up slowly, and offer them a small glass of water or hot tea before they leave as their energy has been contacted at a very deep level.

This is an easy-to-use treatment protocol that treats the root of the disorder by supplementing and regulating the qi. It works on a profound level physically, energetically, and emotionally. Stick with it as an effective treatment strategy for the management of multiple sclerosis. As improvement is made, other points may be substituted based upon the energetic layer affected, and acute and transient symptoms, but always try to see where the symptoms are coming from for more long lasting results.