How You Can Manage Your MS-Related Pain

If you have multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, then you probably have a variety of aches and pains all over your body. At first, you may not think that your pain is related to your condition, but as time progresses, these pains can be more consistent. Your pain may range from mild to debilitating and often interferes with your normal activities. However, treatments are available that may help you manage your pain.

Reasons for MS-Related Pain

Because MS is a condition where your immune system attacks your nervous system, your nerves do not function normally. This often causes your nerves to send false signals to the brain and muscles when nothing is wrong. This results in not only vague aches and pains but also strange sensations and even involuntary muscle spasms.

Types of MS-Related Pain

When you have MS, you can experience pain and strange sensations in a variety of ways. These pains often mimic pains from other conditions, so you may not realize that MS is the cause.

Facial Pain

You may experience a condition called Trigeminal neuralgia. This is a sudden sharp, intermittent pain, usually around the cheek area that mimics a toothache. If you haven't seen a dentist a while, then have your teeth checked out first. If your teeth are fine, then the pain may be related to your condition.

Back Pain

Back pain is sometimes caused by false signals or muscle spasms but could also be caused by other related issues such as muscle weakness. MS frequently causes gait issues, and this could affect your spine's movement.

Headaches

You are more likely to experience certain types of headaches if you have MS. These headaches are often intense and chronic. In many cases, an increase in headaches is one of the first signs that your MS is relapsing if you have been symptom-free for a while.

Muscle Spasm Pains

Sometimes, muscle spasms are so severe that they cause a feeling that ranges from a dull ache to a sharp pain. This may lead to additional pressure on your joints and increase pain in those areas.

Burning Feelings

You may experience a type of pain called dysesthetic pain which includes strange sensations such as a burning feeling or itchiness with no apparent cause. These types of pains most frequently affect the legs or the extremities, such as your hands and feet.

Generalized Aches and Pain

MS often causes vague, all-around aches with no consistent location or area. You can also experience what is commonly referred to as the MS hug. This is a spinal cord-related condition that makes you feel an increasing tightness around your midsection similar to a tight hug.

Treatments for MS-Related Pain

Treatment for MS-related pain depends on the type of pain, its possible cause, and the severity. Here are some traditional examples that your doctor may focus on for treatment.

Medications

Medications range from simple analgesics and anti-inflammatories all the way up to anti-seizure and antidepressant drugs. You may also benefit from certain types of muscle relaxants.

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist will help you manage your muscle issues and manage any changes that affect your movements. The therapist may also recommend exercises that keep you healthy without aggravating your condition.

Massage

Massage stimulates blood flow, relaxes the muscles, and generates a feeling of well-being. Massages also reduce stress that can worsen your condition. However, talk to your doctor first because some types of massage may make things worse rather than better.

Stretching

Stretches are another way to help with muscle issues and reduce spasms and overall soreness. Yoga and Tai Chi are other ways to keep to reduce muscle tension.

You shouldn't have to put up with MS-related pain, especially if that pain disrupts your life. Various treatments are available to help lessen and manage your pain. Pain Care Management has various treatments available that could help reduce your MS-related pain with both traditional and complementary treatments. Call us at one of our two Florida locations for an appointment and assessment.