{"id":1503,"date":"2019-04-03T09:00:58","date_gmt":"2019-04-02T22:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/?p=1503"},"modified":"2019-07-04T17:37:16","modified_gmt":"2019-07-04T07:37:16","slug":"multiple-sclerosis-massage-and-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2019\/04\/03\/multiple-sclerosis-massage-and-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Multiple Sclerosis, Massage and Me"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Sharon Livingstone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the 2018 AMT Annual Conference, Derek Zorzit took to the stage to present a session and placed his walking stick against the lectern. It promptly fell to the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have MS,\u201d Derek shrugged. \u201cAnd it\u2019s playing up a bit at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has stepped into the spotlight with Australian comedian Tim Ferguson<\/a>, US actor Selma Blair<\/a>, and QLD cricketer Jemma Barsby<\/a> all making their MS public knowledge. But what do massage therapists know about MS? And how can we help?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Multiple Sclerosis?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults, often diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40 and, in Australia, <\/em>affects three times more women than men<\/em><\/strong>. As yet, there is no cure.<\/em><\/p>

There is no known single cause of MS, but many genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute to its development.<\/em><\/p>

In MS, the body\u2019s own immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the fatty material \u2013 called myelin \u2013 around the nerves. Myelin is important for protecting and insulating nerves so that the electrical messages that the brain sends to the rest of the body, travel quickly and efficiently.<\/em><\/p>

As the myelin breaks down during a MS attack \u2013 a process called demyelination \u2013 patches of nerves become exposed and then scarred, which render the nerves unable to communicate messages properly and at risk of subsequent degeneration. This means that the brain cannot talk to other parts of the body, resulting in a range of symptoms that can include a loss of motor function (e.g. walking and hand and arm function, loss of sensation, pain, vision changes and changes to thinking and memory).\u201d<\/em><\/p>

<\/p>
– Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Types of MS<\/strong>1<\/sup><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Relapsing remitting MS<\/strong> \u2013 is the most common form of MS; it is characterised by flare-ups of the neurological symptoms of MS, also known as relapses or attacks, followed by periods of recovery or remission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondary progressive MS<\/strong> \u2013 (SPMS) is a secondary phase of relapsing remitting MS that can develop years, to decades following the initial onset of relapsing symptoms. SPMS is characterised by a progressive worsening of symptoms (accumulation of disability) over time, with no obvious signs of remission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Primary progressive MS \u2013 <\/strong>(PPMS) is diagnosed in approximately 10-15% of people with MS. PPMS is characterised by a progressive worsening of symptoms and disability right from the beginning, without periods of recovery or remission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms vary from person to person and can be any combination of the five major health problems, including:2<\/sup>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n