Social Clips

It doesn’t take much to get criticized for your appearance – especially when you’re a public figure. Whether you’re in movies or on TV, being in the media seems to give viewers the idea that they can voice their opinion whenever they feel like it. Which is exactly what happened…

Massages are known to relieve pain, stress and help out with problem areas. According to the National MS Society, it’s one of the most well-known bodywork treatments. There are several kinds of massages that originated in different countries — below are some of the most used today. MORE: Massage helps with MS pain and fatigue The Swedish massage is a bit more “traditional.” It uses techniques such as vibration, kneading, and friction. The German massage uses most of the same techniques as the Swedish massage, but combines them with healing baths. Keep in mind that if you’re sensitive to heat, this might not be the best option for you. Acupressure sounds like acupuncture, and that’s no mistake. This treatment is a Chinese massage that originated from acupuncture and uses fingers to stimulate the same parts of the body as needles do. Shiatsu is a Japanese treatment that focuses on preventing conditions, not…

According to the MS Trust, a lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap) is a test that can be used to help diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS). During the procedure, some of the cerebrospinal fluid is removed and analyzed. A lumbar puncture takes about half an hour and is done under a…

Medical marijuana is gaining popularity as a complementary medicine to help with many symptoms associated with chronic illnesses. While many people are curious about how marijuana (or cannabis) may help improve their symptoms, they are also reluctant to smoke the substance. However, there are ways that medical marijuana can be…

This video from the Center for Diagnostic Imaging explains how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help in diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and how far this technology has come in a relatively short time. MRIs can also track the progression of the disease. MORE: 10 things to know…

If you suffer from a chronic illness like MS, then it’s highly likely that you’ll experience fatigue from time to time. Fatigue is different than just feeling tired, and generally it’s not something that can be fixed with an early night or by taking a little break. With tips from the pros at …

While few of us choose to become caregivers, many of us are faced with the task if a loved one is diagnosed with a chronic disease. The transition is a strange time for everyone involved, as the nature of the relationship changes for both the caregiver and patient. However, it is…

Looking at Dan Pimenta, you wouldn’t know he was suffering from a chronic illness — but the 53-year-old has multiple sclerosis (MS). He was diagnosed at the age of 28 after experiencing numbness down one side of his head and body. MORE: Three tips for newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients According…

Natalizumab (Tysabri) is a drug used in the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). We’ve put together a list of things to know about the treatment using information from tysabri.com and the National MS Society. MORE: Early use of…

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a look back at 2017. It’s been a year full of ups and downs, and while there were definitely quite a few low moments, there were certainly quite a few highs. To celebrate the year that was,…

In this video, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) reminds everyone that people with MS don’t get a day off from the disease. They have to deal with multiple sclerosis every Monday through Sunday. MORE: Kentucky student whose mom has MS is to cycle across America…

Effectively managing MS may require ongoing appointments with multiple specialists on your health care team — including neurologists, physical and occupational therapists and others. And it goes without saying they’re busy (for an inside look at how busy doing what, go here and here). Making the most…

Living with an unpredictable illness can be tough at the best of times, but when you’re a parent, it can often cause unforeseen problems. Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is no different — you’ll have to continue being a parent, but you’ll also have to manage your condition. However, there are ways…

As your MS progresses, you may find it necessary to make some modifications to your home to make it safer and more accessible. Such alterations can vastly improve the quality of life for people living with the disease, allowing them to regain some independence and making life more comfortable. Here are some common…

If you or a loved one is living with multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s important to remember that you can always try to make your situation better. If your doctor says something like “there’s no other option” or “we have nothing more to offer you,” find another doctor. Doctors are humans, too, and they…

Spasticity is where the muscles become stiffened and often spasm due to nerve damage — it’s a common symptom associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). MORE: Six of the best apps for managing chronic illness Generally, the spasticity occurs in the arms and legs and may impact the way a person can move their limbs.

“Alexa” is Amazon’s talking service that acts as a virtual personal assistant. According to tomsguide.com, as part of the company’s Echo speaker system, the voice-activated device can pick out music tracks for you, operate other electical devices, create to-do lists, and of course help you…

Going to a show to see a band or a play or a big event may be your idea of having fun, and MS-related challenges — especially mobility — don’t have to be game-changers and keep you from the spectacle of it all, especially with a little planning. Bars, bands…

“You have multiple sclerosis” is something that no one wants to hear. Some people hear it but have no idea what it means. Some think they’ll end up in a wheelchair and that their life will never be the same. MORE: How yoga and aquatic exercise can…

According to a 2015 report, there are 43.5 million caregivers in the United States today — roughly six million more people than the population of California. And according to a recent column by Ed Tobias, caregiving can be a hard and thankless task. Let’s change…

Being diagnosed with a serious and complex disease such as multiple sclerosis can be a very complicated thing to deal with. After you get your diagnosis, you might start wondering what your life will be like, if your life will change and how you’ll have to adapt with your…

This film from the MS Society is all about Zena Nicolaou. The MS Society in the U.K. awarded Zena the prestigious title of “Carer of the Year” in 2016 for her work caring for her mother Nicola, who has multiple sclerosis (MS). MORE: How MS patients feel about…

Stop for a second and think about this: 2.3 billion smart phone users worldwide will download an estimated 268 billion mobile apps in 2017. Three quarters of adults in the U.S. own a smartphone and nearly 90 percent of the…

Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be very difficult to deal with, but it’s even worse when you live with the disease for 17 years before being diagnosed — which is exactly what happened to Spencer. MORE: Eight less common signs of MS you might not…

Walking into your doctor’s office can feel like walking into another world. Are they speaking English? Do they understand you? Have they correctly diagnosed your symptoms with the relevant medical terminology? What is extremely personal to you, suddenly feels clinical. Terms like ataxia, diplopia and hemiparesis are flying around. You feel…