Multiple Sclerosis
Origins
First identified in 1868 by neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, multiple sclerosis has been challenging to recognize, define & treat (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, 2024). Yet, there is almost one million people living in the United States with multiple sclerosis. While this disease does not discriminate, there are certain factors that contribute to the presence of MS in certain communities. These factors include age, ethnic background, genetics, geographic location & sex. This disease is not hereditary, but it has been speculated to be caused by environmental factors & genetic triggers to those environments. Higher chances of development have also been found in those who smoke, struggle with obesity or have low levels of vitamin D in their diets.
Mechanisms
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that targets the central nervous system, disrupting the flow of information not only within the brain, but also between the brain & body. The central nervous system, comprised of the brain, spinal cord & option nerves, controls everything we do. For those suffering with multiple sclerosis, the insulated covers of nerve cells in the brain & spinal cord are damaged, disrupting the nervous system's ability to transmit signals correctly. Due to multiple sclerosis attacking the immune system, it damages myelin, axons & oligodendrocytes. As a result, these attacks produce inflammation & damages or destroys myelin & oligodendrocytes, as well as damaging axons. This damage to the myelin and the failure to replace it is called demyelination. It may also produce damaged areas in the form of lesions or scars in the CNS, forming plaques, & slow or halt nerve conduction. This process in turn produces the neurologic signs & symptoms of MS.
Symptoms
Due to the unpredictable nature of MS, symptoms can vary from day to day, but typically include fatigue, difficulty in memory, mood changes, mobility issues, numbness, pain, tingling, & vision impairment. These symptoms will also differ, depending on where the inflammation & damage are occurring. Other common symptoms include bladder or bowel dysfunction, spasticity, sexual dysfunction, & vertigo or dizziness. Less common symptoms may manifest in the body as breathing issues, hearing loss, loss of taste, seizures, speech issues, tremors & difficulties swallowing (The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2024).
There is currently no known cure for multiple sclerosis. However, there are strategies that may slow down the course of the disease, manage symptoms, improve function, aid in safety & support emotional health. The center of focus usually involves working with a neurologist for the diagnosis of MS, creating a treatment plan & finding other specialists that may give further insight. Other avenues of treating MS include integrative care, such as working with acupuncture, massage, medical marijuana, or low-dose naltrexone. Maintaining a healthy diet & exercising, if possible, may help support the body during MS flare ups, as well as incorporating treatments such as stem-cell therapy & rehabilitation. Unfortunately, the treatment of multiple sclerosis is most often limited to disease-modifying therapies or medications for symptom management. While these medications may offer relief, it is not promising in the long term scope of treatment for this condition.
In Multiple Sclerosis Relief, Professor Thomas Seager highlights the mechanism of ice baths with alleviation of MS symptoms through cold therapy. Despite no mention of cold therapy with the National MS Society, there has been an abundance of scientific evidence on the use of cold therapy as treatment for MS. Research has shown that one of the best protections against atherosclerosis is activation of brown fat via deliberate cold exposure (e.g., Berbée et al. 2015). While the precise response is not yet fully understood, it appears to be systemic as a holistic adaptation to the cold, & cold exposure has been found to help MS patients manage symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, cognitive dysfunction, & loss of visual acuity.
Cold Plunge Therapy for MS dives into the story of former Navy SEAL Justin Hoagland. He did not find much comfort in health professionals, but rather in his ice bath practice.
Being told to 'take it easy' by experts did not align with Hoagland's character or lifestyle, & he began to look into other treatments instead. He first began his cold therapy journey by taking cold showers for 30 days consecutively. Once he conquered this goal, he created a DIY ice bath in his backyard in San Diego, challenging himself with 45 degree plunges for a year straight from anywhere between 3 and 10 minutes daily. Despite how challenging this was for him, over time, he began changing his relationship with the cold & experimenting with his body temperature.
He came to the realization that as his body heated up, his MS symptoms would flare up & worsen. As read in Cold Plunge Therapy for MS, "the dangers of overheating are well known to both those who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS) and their doctors" (Guthrie & Nelson, 1995). However, when he would expose himself to cold, he could successfully work out after his ice bath & move with improvement. This also allowed him to begin boxing training again, become present with his family, no longer rely on a wheelchair, & use movements that once seemed far out of reach due to MS.
Ice baths became Hoagland's mental & physical reset, bringing him a sense of peace & awareness in his body that was once lost. He now uses cold therapy as a meditative practice & tool for sharpening his mind while combatting MS. As concluded in Multiple Sclerosis Relief, regardless of lack of exposure from MS doctors or organizations, the benefits of deliberate cold exposure is promising & might prove useful for treatment of MS, as well as insulin resistance & Alzheimer's.
To learn more on the effects of cold therapy & the mechanisms of ice baths against multiple sclerosis, please click here to purchase a copy of Uncommon Cold.
The statements found within this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements, along with the products of Morozko Forge, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The testimonials and information included in this website is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider.