Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Having never heard of body vibration for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients I was surprised to read that a new study found it doesn’t work, according to an article on MedilinePlus.com of the National Institutes of Health.

Apparently, the technology uses whole-body vibration to “stimulate muscles to become more efficient and to build bone,” and its use has been on the increase as a treatment “for muscle-related diseases such as MS.”

The Belgian study is the first long-term inquiry into whole-body vibration and MS. It investigated the “effect on various measures of muscle capacity in the upper legs, including strength, function, endurance and speed of motion in 11 men and women with mildly to moderately disabling disease.”

The participants exercised on a vibrating platform. There were five sessions every two weeks, and the study lasted for 20 weeks. The participants did a number of leg exercises, such as squats.

A second group of participants just went about their daily routines.

Both groups had basically the same leg weakness prior to beginning the study. After 10, and then 20 weeks of follow-ups, both groups still had the same weakness.

The researchers were surprised at the results; it has been established that regular exercise is beneficial for MS patients. There is much more research that needs to be done in this area.

According to Dr. LaRocca, vice president of health care delivery and policy research at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, “Exercise is really considered to be very beneficial for people with MS, particularly if they can avoid overheating.” He added that aerobic exercise builds strength, and there is “some evidence suggests that it may improve the immune system in MS patients.”

LaRocca also noted that “his group does not endorse particular technologies.”

As a patient with MS, I know my neurologist, Dr. Brian Apatoff, and my acupuncturist, Henry Zhen-Hong Lee, both stress the importance of regular exercise.

~~~
Source:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104170.html
(*this news item will not be available after 01/05/2011)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, Reviewer, Acquisitions Editor for 4RV Publishing

http://karencioffi.com
http://dkvwriting4u.com

Tweet

My journey to try to detox because of multiple chemical sensitivity has taken a slight turn. It seems the intestinal repair the naturopathic doctor recommended caused stomach problems. With my many other ailments, I have GERD and it was getting very bad. I stopped the repair complex.

It’s funny how these alternative doctors think nothing of having you spend money. But, I must say some of them can be very helpful.

I haven’t gone back to the naturopathic doctor yet. I went to see an nutritionist instead. She wants me to stick to the blood test results diet, and then after a month or two start reintroducing foods I am mildly intolerant of. This is an elimination diet.

The problem I’m having lately is a tightness and lump in my throat. I’m assuming it’s gastro related. I’m using Zegerid for almost two weeks now and my GERD is better, but the tightness on my throat still happens.

I guess I’ll have to see an ENT. The throat problem can stem from one of three things: multiple sclerosis, an allergic reaction, and GERD. Well, actually there is a 4th possibility, a hiatal hernia. It’s very important to find out which is the cause.

Oh, I just bought a book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Detoxing Your Body by Delia Quigley. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but when I do, I’ll let you know how it is.

Until next time,
Karen Cioffi