Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Relief Tips

FOOT DROP STRETCHES

Foot drop is a problem that is an common multiple sclerosis symptom. When I meet someone for the first time who has MS I ask if they have ever stubbed their foot. That is what happens and slowly progresses if nothing is done to correct it. This is what makes people fall and cause other injuries.

If the ankle does not bend more stress is put on the knees and the hips. As with most of my tips I will not get into technical explanations but practical, what to do ideas. These foot drop exercises can make a big difference over time.

The foot begins to point downward and has trouble lifting the toes enough when walking to clear the ground.

You will need help to do this. You can sit and put your foot in your helper's lap or have them sit on the bed with you stretched out face up. This can be done while watching TV. You can teach a child or even a husband to do this.

Instructions for the helper:

First put your hand under the ankle and bend the foot downward. This is already the way it wants to go. Go slowly and don't use two much pressure. When it reaches a point of resisting hold it at this point and time for two minutes.

You will need a clock because at first this will seem like a long time. If it softens up and it will let you bend further. After holding for two minutes slowly bend the ankle back to where you started and begin going the other direction.

Whatever hand position works for you is OK. Putting your hand on the bottom of the foot and pushing the foot upward look again for the resistance. Hold again for the two minutes and go further if it lets you.

You can work up to holding this for five minutes and you will feel the difference in movement and change in walking.

For people with foot drop already you have to go slower and will get less movement both directions. It will get better I have seen people with ankles locked get movement back with this method.

MELISSA here with our tea recipe, etc....

I would like to tell you about some specific things that have worked for me.

Try weaning yourself from refined sugar and carbonated drinks, especially those with caffeine. I don't care for the taste of plain water. Crazy huh? Instead, Bruce brews me a gallon of tea with green tea, chamomile and peppermint. He uses raw sugar to sweeten it. This tea is loaded with antioxidants from the green tea. The green tea also stimulates your metabolism and can help with weight loss. The chamomile is a relaxant and the peppermint aids in digestion.

Recipe: Heat two cups water for 4 minutes in microwave. Put in 4 green tea, 2 chamomile, 2 peppermint tea bags for 12 minutes. Take enough of the water out of a gallon for the sugar, squeeze out teabags, add to gallon and sweeten to taste. Turbinado sugar, sometimes called sugar in the raw or unrefined, is what we use. More expensive but better for you. We have used this tea as our main beverage since 2001 and see many good results.

If you find yourself starting to get weaker, re-evaluate the number of muscle relaxers you are taking. I know the cycle well, you take the relaxants to assist with the spasms but then they relax the muscles too much and can cause the weakness. Don't stop the relaxants, just try to cut back and see if the strength returns.

STRETCH....

Stretching can help relax the spasms and increase circulation. It can be active or passive (have someone assist you with the stretch while you relax). If you have tips on things, e-mail us and we'll try them out and just might publish them to this site.

MORE foot drop exercises

Another method to help with foot drop, and to help exercise ankles, knees, and hips. You will need help for this one too. Lie face down on the bed or couch.

For the helper:

Put one hand under the ankle and the other on the bottom of the foot. Slowly bend the knee by raising the foot and keeping the knee down flat. If the leg spasms, slowly lower it and try to go slower the next time. If you can bend the knee until the foot is level over the knee bend the ankle slowly and go back and forth without setting the foot back down.

This is the same movement as walking and with the pressure on the bottom of the foot even has some weight resistance.

If you can bend the ankle back and forth starting with the way it wants to go you can hold in one direction and than the other. If the hips seem tight or the lower back starts to spasm move the foot slowly away from over the leg after you have the knee bent.

If there is a hip replacement do NOT move the leg side to side.

Listen to the person that you are helping and don't go too far too fast. This can be done once or twice a day without making the person tired.

FOR FEET SWELLING OR EDEMA

ALSO LEG, FOOT CRAMPS

If you have pitting edema which means if you put pressure with a finger and an impression stays you should be careful and get the swelling down before you stir things up. This is a contraindication of massage but I have helped a lot of people anyway so you just have to be more careful.

Buy a rubber ball in the toy section. Sit in a chair or on the edge of the couch barefooted. If you have problems with balance you may need someone to help you place the ball. You can do this at a desk or table to help you balance.

Put the ball under the middle of the foot and put some pressure down and make yourself comfortable. Don't start moving your foot right away. Just imagine that your foot is softening and the ball is sinking into your foot.

As it softens move your foot over the ball and feel for places that are sensitive. Don't put more pressure right away but just feel how different areas react. Work around the sensitive areas and then directly on them but not until you feel pain.

If you have numbness just go easy and slowly. As you roll across the foot it should relax and if it doesn't don't give up.

After each session if possible put your feet up. If you are on a couch lay down and put your legs up on the arm for at least ten minutes.

If you can, take a nap with your feet up. A pillow under your feet in the bed works too and this is THERAPY not being lazy.

If you cannot lay down and you can walk, move around as much as possible afterwards.

This should move the fluid in the feet and cause you to need to use the bathroom more, so be ready.

This is also good for leg cramps and will free up the ankles as well. You can do this while on the computer or watching TV.



MS Hug ??

Is this the kind of hug you get from someone you don't like. No. It is what some people call the tightening around the ribs that many MSer experience at some time. More hypertonic muscle action which sounds almost as bad as MS hug.

Melissa calls it a boa constrictor. It used to start around her trunk and work it's way around to her chest and start hampering her breathing. Always a scary thing to not be able to breathe.

Years ago she called me and told me this was happening and so I brought an essential oil home I had heard and read about but never used. Roman chamomile, which sold then for fifty cents a drop in a hundred drop bottle. I rubbed some on her mixed into a lotion and then she took a nap. It had lessened so I mixed some more in a oil mixture and worked in into her back. That night the boa constrictor slinked off and didn't return for at least six months and we knew what to do that time.

This is what is in Tranquility now. I have used it on many MSers with good results.

If you are here for information only this is for people who have asked what creams are good for MS symptoms. None of the creams are a CURE. If I find a cure you won't read about here I will be on the news.

Tranquility is the strongest of the creams and can help with one of the worst symptoms spasticity. It is a strong relaxant and can help with anxiety and depression associated with MS. Do not stop your anti-depressants. It can be used along with them. You should never just stop taking any med because something else makes you feel better.

JOINT RELEASE can help with stiffness in the hips, knees and ankles. It improves circulation in these areas and can improve joint movement.

I will be adding more as time allows.