Part II: Emotional repression and stress side of Multiple Sclerosis

Apologies for a very delayed second part of this blog on Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A very hot summer went by, and I hope you all enjoyed it.

My aim with these blog sessions is to write about different types of illnesses, conditions, chronic pains that many people have and I came across during my work, where reflexology is a key treatment in healing or easing them. I Hope you will find them useful.

So, let’s continue and finish up this blog about this very complex condition. If you happen to read the first part and linked into the resource section, it is all there but if not please read on now.

Emotional repression

Inability to move forward will lead to muscular and mental confusion and then atrophy. Emotional repression can bring anxiety and a sense of having to carry on without support, when really one feels like collapsing. Debbie Shapiro, author of ‘The Body-Mind Workbook’ says, ‘fixed attitudes and mental patterns lead to an inability to cope or flow with change’.

The spine is in many ways the most important part of the body, a part of our being that holds us together. The emotional spine is the central channel of our nervous system, blood supply, core and spiritual energy. Spinal problems occur from the deepest core of our nervous system. Chris Stormer, a reflexology author, believes that the spine provides support and the sensitivity to adapt to life’s ups and downs.

Stress

The initial diagnosis of MS can be a very stressful time for anyone. Stress can have negative effects on the immune system. These negative effects can be defined as anything that makes an individual feel threatened or anxious.

5 stages of accepting MS diagnosis:

1. Adjustment, Denial and Shock

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

Finding out that you are diagnosed with a serious or even not so serious condition, any process like this can take years. This of course depends on the individual and their ability to cope and manage their diagnosis. According to statistics, MS is most likely to present itself in the early 20’s, a time when people are starting their real life, working toward a great career, and having a family. Such a diagnosis can never appear at a convenient time. Unfortunately, stress plays a major role in the many challenges that MS poses on one’s life and on literally any major illnesses.

Untreated stress can lead to insomnia, exhaustion, tightness of the chest, loss of concentration, incapacity to solve problems, disinterest and many more. Therefore, adopting new, tailored coping skills and strategies will become very necessary and a part of everyday life. Managing stress is the only thing you have control over. Coping with stress is like MS itself, its acceptance is not linear and doesn’t take on a certain form as it too is multiple. Reflexology is the most effective antidote to manage and attend to stress. And now let’s see how reflexology techniques alleviates the emotional and stress side of MS.

Reflexology helping emotional and stress side of MS

The best way to show you is via research studies, even if they are not considered the highest quality as in volume there weren't many conducted. A survey yet indicates reflexology is the best complementary medicine for people living with MS, improving fatigue, pain, and mood.

A study has shown that complementary medicine such as reflexology can relieve symptoms of patients with MS. This study was conducted as a randomised clinical trial on 75 women with MS, at an MS Clinic of Kashani Hospital. Putting 25 people randomly in a reflexology, a relaxation and a control group. The reflexology and relaxation groups were experimental, interventions were performed specifically tailored for these groups within 4 weeks, twice a week for 40 minutes. The control group received only routine treatments directed by a doctor. The researchers collected data using scale questionnaires measuring depression, anxiety, stress which was conducted before, immediately after and two months after all three groups interventions. The study resulted in showing a significant reduction in the severity of depression, stress and anxiety during the different periods measured in the reflexology and relaxation group compared to the control group. The study concluded, the treatments of reflexology and relaxation are highly recommended effective methods for women living with MS.

In another study, 71 patients were picked randomly for reflexology treatment with manual pressure on specific points of the feet and massage of the calf or to non-specific massage of the calf area exclusively. After all, 53 patients completed the experiment. The results concluded a significant improvement in the areas of paraesthesia (abnormal sensations - pins and needles), bladder symptoms, muscle strength and spasticity.

In another research study, 73 people received either reflexology or a basic foot massage for ten weeks, once a week, aiming to treat MS pain. Both groups succeeded in reducing pain, fatigue, depression, and spasms with no difference between foot massage and reflexology. The treatments were effective up to 12 weeks which indicates how important their continuity is.

Overall, these studies show the importance of regular reflexology treatments highly recommended for people with MS. It will help living with the condition in a better balance, with less pain in all areas, including reducing depression that were produced by stress and repression. Emotional repression and stress would ease simultaneously provided less symptoms of the condition.

Thank you for your patience with me catching up on the second part of MS. If you have any questions or want to book sessions for yourself or someone else, please get in touch via klara.reflexology@gmail.com

Best wishes

Klara

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Source

How does Reflexology benefit Multiple Sclerosis?, MS North West Therapy Centre Sligo, Sclerosis?http://www.mstherapycentre.ie/services/reflexology/how-does-reflexology-benefit-multiple-sclerosis/

A comparison the effects of reflexology and relaxation on the psychological symptoms in women with multiple sclerosis, National Library of Medicine, April 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433640/

Reflexology, Multiple Sclerosis Trust, February 2020, https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/reflexology