Multiple Sclerosis and Massage Guns

 

How the Pinpoint Pro™️ Massage Gun  could be used to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis

We all rely on our immune systems to help keep us healthy and protect us from disease. Under ordinary circumstances, our immune cells are able to differentiate between the ‘good’ (our own body cells) and the ‘bad’ (agents capable of causing disease like bacteria and viruses). We know that when we get sick our bodies will be able to heal themselves after a few days, before allowing us to get back to ‘business as usual’ afterwards. However, for some individuals, the immune system doesn’t work as it should. In some cases, immune cells erroneously attack body cells instead of infection-causing agents that may otherwise cause infection. This is called autoimmunity and can result in disease in the person affected. One example of an autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis, hereby referred to as MS. Those living with MS will likely need to learn to live with a range of symptoms that can impact on quality of life. Whilst there’s currently no cure for MS, being able to effectively treat symptoms can help the individual cope with day to day life.

 

Massage treatment is one such possibility for those with MS, and we explore this further in the course of the article. Having regular massage treatment is a very real option for people looking for symptom relief – we discuss the symptoms a person with MS may experience, how massage can help and then how to choose the right massage for you. Our Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun may also be a viable solution for those suffering with MS, and we’ll be looking at this in detail too. So, sit back, relax and get reading!

 

What is and what are the symptoms of MS?

In order to better understand any potentially effective treatments for MS, it can firstly be helpful to recognise what’s happening within our bodies and the interaction between the immune system and our body cells. Our nerves are covered with a layer called the myelin sheath which acts as a protective barrier and allows messages to be effectively passed from nerve to nerve. In those individuals with MS, this myelin sheath is ‘attacked’ by the immune system which can then cause problems with communication from nerve to nerve. As the myelin sheath also surrounds the brain and spinal cord, this can then cause a number of problems when this area is attacked and/or becomes impaired. This condition is lifelong, and so the person affected needs to adapt to live alongside this condition as best as they can.

 

When the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, this can cause people to experience a number of symptoms. Symptoms will vary from individual to individual and will therefore impact on how a person lives their life differently. Whilst the list below is by no means exhaustive, realising that the symptoms can occur all throughout the body helps to demonstrate how life limiting living with this condition can be.

 

Mobility may be negatively affected in someone with MS. This may be due to issues with being able to walk, stiff and tense muscles (sometimes referred to as spasticity, remember this term as it will crop up later) and problems with balance and coordination too. This can mean that tasks that many of us take for granted can feel insurmountable for someone experiencing MS symptoms. Other symptoms of MS may include extreme tiredness, vision problems and bladder issues. As there is no cure for MS, those living with this condition often seek out treatments to help them cope with their symptoms.

 

 

 

The two ‘faces’ of MS

When someone is diagnosed with MS, they will also be told what kind of MS they have. There are two different versions, or faces, of MS – relapsing and remitting and primary progressive. Whilst both types of MS can present with similar symptoms, it’s how and when these symptoms appear that differentiate them from each other.

 

With relapsing and remitting MS, symptoms follow a ‘cycle’. In other words, symptoms tend to appear and then disappear over a particular period of time. In this version, the person with MS will experience times where they are able to live a relatively full life whilst at other times will have to live with a myriad of challenging symptoms. There’s no set time period for when symptoms present or how long a relapse can occur, and the individual needs to adjust as best as they can before the symptoms eventually disappear.

 

The second type of MS is where symptoms occur and then start to get worse over the ensuing years. This is called primary progressive MS and unfortunately means that the individual will not experience any periods of respite or remission. Whatever the type of MS a person has, having a method to treat the symptoms (which is both effective and efficient) is going to be incredibly important.

 

Utilising massage as a treatment for MS

An individual living with MS may be given medicine to help them cope with their symptoms. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on the circumstances of the individual, and your GP will be instrumental in making sure your treatment works for you. However, sometimes complementary therapies can be employed as effective treatments alongside the more conventional MS treatment methods. One such treatment you may want to consider is massage. The benefits of having a massage are well-known to many of us up and down the country as a general relaxation therapy…yet there are particular benefits of using massage for people living with MS.

 

Having massages are often associated with relaxation and are considered good therapies to help us deal with the everyday stresses and strains of life. They help to encourage health and well-being, so it stands to reason that massages could be utilised as complementary therapies for people living with a number of recognised health disorders.

 

For someone living with MS, having an effective and safe treatment that can be accessed regularly and with relative ease is sure to be welcomed. So why use massage for MS? There are lots of reported benefits of using massage for treating the symptoms of MS. The reasons for using massage therapy will differ from person to person, but we can break things down into three main areas – stress and anxiety, pain and tension and circulation/abdominal relief. We’re going to look at each area in more detail to help you decide if massage therapy could be a suitable treatment for any particular set of MS symptoms. You’ll read this a few times throughout the article, but we wanted to make this clear – whilst massage may help with MS symptoms, it should not be thought of as a treatment for MS itself.

 

         Stress and anxiety (and general mood)

 

For many of us, feelings of stress and anxiety can feel like part and parcel of life. Our to-do lists can seem never-ending, and no sooner have we ticked off one thing than another comes along to take its place! What we’re trying to say is that using massage as a treatment for general stress and anxiety is one we would always recommend. It’s no surprise then that it’s been shown that massage was shown to help with stress/anxiety in those living with MS too. It’s also been linked to helping with depression, and encouragingly has also been shown to help people deal with the further development of MS itself.

 

Being able to effectively treat feelings of stress and anxiety can help an individual with MS adopt a more positive outlook on life, in turn making them feel more able to manage their condition. Having an overtly negative outlook on life would take a toll on anyone, but especially when living with a chronic condition where additional stresses and worries are likely to be felt.

 

         Pain and tension

 

Remember that earlier on we talked about spasticity? This kind of muscle tension can affect how someone is able to move and massage can help to treat this problem and restore mobility too. In cases where muscle spasms also cause pain, having a massage can be used as a type of pain relief too.

 

Relief from spasticity will have a positive knock-on effect when it comes to an individual’s physical movement. Having the restored ability to move offers independence, helps people to better function in society and help to improve quality of life too – a win-win situation as far as we’re concerned!

 

         Circulation and abdominal relief

 

Massage is also a great option for those with MS dealing with circulatory problems. Therapy can help with blood flow, thus helping with general circulation. People with MS may also experience problems in their (lower) abdominal area both with the bladder and the bowel region. Having an abdominal massage can therefore help with any issues in this area, including constipation.

 

The benefits of massage therapy are far-reaching and will depend on the person being treated. Massage is an accessible and affordable option for someone with MS looking to relieve their symptoms yet should not be thought of as a substitute for any issued medical treatment. 

 

Starting your MS massage journey

Deciding to choose massage as a therapy for targeting MS symptoms is the first step in your treatment process. The next steps can feel overwhelming, especially if this is the first time you’ve considered massage as a treatment for MS symptoms. To help you along the way, we’ve put together some checkpoints for you to consider before starting any massage therapy that we hope will help.

 

1.  Massage therapy techniques

When we talk about massage techniques, you could be forgiven for thinking that when it comes to massage, it’s a ‘one size fits all’ kind of situation. In reality, there are lots of different types of massages you can pick from and being able to choose the right one for you is very important. Some techniques you may come across include Swedish massage, acupressure, reiki and even shiatsu massage. When it comes to MS, using massage techniques in conjunction with aromatherapy is also a recommended treatment that should be considered. Undertaking your own research is going to help when choosing the right technique for you, although we also advise you speak to your massage therapist and see what they suggest. Which brings us to our next point…

 

2.  Choosing your massage therapist

First and foremost, whoever you choose should be qualified and experienced in massage therapy. Choosing a therapist with knowledge of using massage to treat symptoms of MS is even better, including knowing the type of therapy you may want to avoid to prevent exacerbation of symptoms. As a case in point here, certain factors will mean that choosing massage as a treatment in situations where oedema or osteoporosis is present may not be advisable. Please check with your doctor in such situations before proceeding with any kind of massage therapy.

 

You may also want to consider going for a therapist trained in using the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun. Our massage gun is packed full of features that can help with the symptoms of MS. Pressure pulses penetrate deep within the tissue helping with circulation, improvement mobility and reducing pain too. Paired with the right therapist, our massage gun could be just what you need when trying to treat the symptoms of MS.

 

3.  When to have massage treatment

The next factor to consider is how often massage therapy should be given. It’s thought that having massages on a regular and prolonged basis is the most effective way to treat the symptoms of MS.

 

Although a regular massage schedule may ensure maximum effectiveness, the practicality of slotting a session in every week could be an obstacle when it comes to treatment - making time in our already very busy lives is often easier said than done! Added on to this the realisation that some people with MS will experience fatigue and muscle pain, being able to commit to anything on a regular basis may be problematic. We also know that regular massage treatments can have a significant financial impact, and this is a factor that needs to be taken into consideration.

 

4.  Do you even need a massage therapist?

Okay, we’re going to throw this slightly more unconventional option into the mix. There’s also the option of using the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun as a stand-alone method when treating symptoms of MS. This is one of the benefits of opting for treatment incorporating the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun – it offers the user flexibility to use it as and when required. We always recommend making sure you know how to use the massage gun properly before self-treating.

 

If you’re considering using the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun as a way to help with the symptoms of MS, read on to find out more. As always, no matter what you decide to do, it’s worth remembering you’re treating the symptoms of MS rather than the condition itself.

 

 

Using the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun as a treatment for the symptoms of MS

We mentioned earlier that the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun comes complete with a number of features that we think could be beneficial to people with MS…but what are they?

 

If you think that the massage gun is just for sportspeople or those into their fitness, you’d be wrong. It’s been designed to be used by people with muscle stiffness and tension, exactly like the symptoms often associated with MS.

 

When thinking about the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun, one word that should spring to mind is choice. Supplied with multiple head attachments (one for each day of the week if you want!), each head works on a different type of muscle group. You’re also be spoilt for choice when it comes to speed settings. The Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun has no less than 5 speed settings, letting you choose the one that’s right for you. Ranging from lower settings of 1500 RPM all the way up to 3200 RPM, there’s sure to be a speed that helps relieve the symptoms of MS. Before using the massage gun, we recommend you seek advice to make sure you select the correct head and speed setting for your specific set of symptoms.

 

Regular treatments are thought to be the most effective when it comes to treating the symptoms of MS. The Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun has a brushless motor, which not only makes it more effective, it also means that it’s likely to last longer (when compared to brushed motors when assessing mechanical wear). This may also make the massage gun a more affordable option, especially if self-treating is the preferred method of choice.

 

If you’d like to know more about either the Pinpoint Pro™️ MK1 Massage Gun itself or using it to treat muscular pain or certain health conditions, please feel free to send us a message. You can also find out more on our website, so make sure to take a good look around.