多系統萎縮症には
鍼治療とリハビリが効果的です
多系統萎縮症には鍼治療とリハビリが効果的です
Frequently Asked Questions About Multiple System Atrophy
Updated/2024.08.17
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive and rare disease where waste-like substances (altered alpha-synuclein) accumulate in the brain, leading to rapid aging of the brain. The rate of progression varies significantly among patients.
Alpha-synuclein is a protein necessary for communication between nerve cells in the dopamine pathway. It is usually water-soluble, but when it transforms into an insoluble state, it releases excessive reactive oxygen species, causing degeneration and destruction of brain neurons, leading to rapid aging.
* Dopamine pathway: A neural transmission pathway that controls muscle movements and emotions.
It is believed that some people have a genetic predisposition to develop Multiple System Atrophy. A study by the University of Tokyo found that many patients with Multiple System Atrophy have abnormalities in the gene that synthesizes Coenzyme Q10 (a health component that prevents aging caused by reactive oxygen species).
It has been confirmed that altered alpha-synuclein can act as an infectious agent, leading to prion-like transmission where normal alpha-synuclein transforms into an altered state.
* Prion disease: A disease where altered proteins act as pathogens and infect between proteins. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which was contracted during surgery using human dried dura mater (now discontinued), and mad cow disease caused by using sheep brains as feed for cows, are famous examples.
Symptoms similar to being intoxicated, bedwetting or incontinence, tremors, and stiffness of the limbs are common. Patients often fall down stairs, break bones, or have difficulty writing. Observing the patient walking from behind, they tend to walk with their feet spread apart.
Patients lose the ability to move freely. Urinary retention and loss of voice can occur. Particularly, symptoms like tightening of the throat that prevent the voice from coming out can lead to suffocation or aspiration pneumonia, requiring caution.
Currently, there is no treatment to cure Multiple System Atrophy from the root cause. Symptomatic treatment is the main approach, aiming to alleviate existing symptoms. However, since the cause is being clarified, effective drugs are under development.
Rehabilitation is effective. Create situations to avoid falls and practice tandem walking. Practicing front and back tandem walking using a walker is effective. Voice exercises using both low and falsetto tones and karaoke are also effective. While the disease is said to vary significantly in progression among individuals, those who are more actively engaged in rehabilitation tend to have slower progression.
Fractures accelerate the progression of symptoms. General anesthesia accelerates the progression of symptoms. Taking medication to stop incontinence may cause urinary retention. Surgery for conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia or spinal canal stenosis often results in rapid changes in Multiple System Atrophy afterward.
Avoid consuming too many carbohydrates. Postprandial hypotension often leads to fatigue or falls. If your blood pressure is not high at rest, consuming about 50 grams of cheddar cheese a day can often help with orthostatic hypotension.
Some patients actively participate in clinical trials based on registry information. Conversely, some choose not to participate because participating in trials can sometimes mean that no other treatments are allowed. It is best to decide based on trial data.
There are three types of Multiple System Atrophy, each with different symptoms and acupuncture treatment methods. By tailoring acupuncture treatments to the type, symptoms can often be significantly improved. Even with new drugs being developed, which improve by about 0.7 points on the SARA (a globally used evaluation method for spinocerebellar degeneration), some patients improve by about 5 points with acupuncture treatment. Multiple System Atrophy is broadly divided into early and late stages, with the early stage being the period when walking is possible. I believe acupuncture is one treatment method that can extend this early stage.
The global standard classifies Multiple System Atrophy into the type that resembles alcohol intoxication (MSA-C) and the type that causes body stiffness (MSA-P). In the early stages of treatment, treatments tailored to the symptoms of the three types (Olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Striatonigral degeneration, and Shy-Drager syndrome) are more effective, so the previous disease names are often used.
The effects of acupuncture treatment often appear immediately after treatment. However, if the intervals are too long, the symptoms may return, so it is important to have regular treatments. Among the patients treated at our clinic, some had family members who noticed improvements in their gait immediately after treatment, and others who were able to talk on the phone after improvements in symptoms that caused slurred speech.
As it is a progressive and rare disease, it cannot be cured from the root cause. However, it is often possible to improve troubling symptoms and slow progression. Even five years after onset, there are patients from Nara and Chiba who drive themselves to our clinic.
It is possible to improve existing symptoms and slow future progression. The type that shows abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system (difficulty controlling urination) often progresses rapidly, so please consult us early.
Fractures cause Multiple System Atrophy to progress rapidly. Practicing walking with a crutch in both hands to balance is effective. Sudden standing movements or eating can cause anemia due to blood pressure issues. Stand up slowly. Also, there are times when patients stop breathing while sleeping due to high snoring. It is best to use a mask-type respirator early.
Insurance-based treatments ensure equality, allowing the same quality of care at any medical institution. Acupuncture treatments are self-pay, so treatment methods and costs vary by clinic. It is best to research thoroughly and choose acupuncture treatment accordingly.
Since Multiple System Atrophy often shows temperature changes before worsening, an acupuncture clinic with thermography equipment is good. Additionally, clinics that actively engage in rehabilitation immediately after stimulating deep postural muscles have better results.
At our clinic, we perform 14 treatments, then conduct a test, and decide the subsequent treatment interval based on the test results. The 14 treatments are performed as intensively as possible. Many patients stay in a hotel for about a week and have treatments twice a day.
In Suzaka City, there are traditional hotels and inns. For barrier-free hotels, many choose to stay in Nagano City. A Route Inn is currently being built near the Nagano East Suzaka Interchange.
Acupuncture treatment and examination costs for Multiple System Atrophy are not covered by insurance. In cases where sprains or muscle injuries may exacerbate symptoms or hinder recovery, these parts may be covered by insurance.
We examine autonomic nervous system abnormalities, brain and limb blood flow conditions, and body tilt. An initial consultation fee of around 15,000 yen is required. Based on the test results, we combine treatments A to C. A. Shy-Drager syndrome treatment: around 8,000 yen B. Olivopontocerebellar atrophy treatment: 9,000 to 16,000 yen C. Striatonigral degeneration treatment: around 5,000 yen. Costs vary based on the combination of A to C. We provide an estimate in advance. Treatment can also be tailored to your budget. Please note that for the initial consultation only, examination and self-pay treatment fees are 1.5 times higher on weekends, holidays, and weekday afternoons.
Written by
Hiroaki Yoshiike, Director of Moriue Acupuncture and Orthopedic Clinic
With 37 years of experience in treating Multiple System Atrophy, Hiroaki Yoshiike has incorporated medical thermography, a unique method different from doctors, to examine over 200,000 patients and achieve treatment results. Self-named as a "thermographer," he interprets data on autonomic nervous system and stress conditions, providing personalized treatment for each patient in acupuncture treatment for Multiple System Atrophy. Born on the day of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, aged 62.
We conduct examinations from a different perspective than doctors and apply them to acupuncture treatment.
Moriue Acupuncture and Orthopedic Clinic specializes in treating rare diseases for which Western medicine has not established treatments, patients who have not improved with insured medical care, and those whose bodies have been adversely affected by side effects of medications. We conduct examinations from a different perspective than doctors and apply them to acupuncture treatment. During the first consultation, we take ample time to conduct a patient interview, so if you have any concerns, please consult us.
Our Unique Examinations
Examining Body Tilt
In Olivopontocerebellar atrophy, the more the body tilts, the more likely the symptoms are to progress. We examine body tilt and proceed with acupuncture treatment while confirming the postural muscles causing the tilt.
Examining the Condition of the Autonomic Nervous System
In Multiple System Atrophy, the autonomic nervous system balance often collapses before symptoms worsen. Since disorders in the autonomic nervous system centers appear in body surface temperature, we examine early signs of worsening and proceed with acupuncture treatment.
Examining Blood Flow to the Brain
Many patients with progressive Multiple System Atrophy have deteriorating blood flow to the brain. Since blood flow changes between lying down and standing positions, we examine brain blood flow in the posture most common in daily life and proceed with acupuncture treatment.
日本語
中文
今すぐ無料相談