Multiple Sclerosis
Alternative Treatment
If you have been diagnosed recently with Multiple Sclerosis or have been dealing with the symptoms of MS for a long time, we may have the answers you are looking for. Traditional therapies often have a limited scope and only a few options that can have powerful side effects. Alternative therapies often have a wide scope and many options. Often these two are mutually exclusive. At Sanoviv, we offer the best of traditional and alternative therapies in a unique healing environment. Our trained staff of health professionals is at your service. Please keep reading to find out more of what makes us different.
As you might well know, Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system. It is characterized by sparsely spread demyelinating foci within the brain and the spinal cord caused by an autoimmune attack against the myelin sheath of the nerves. Damage is caused to the neurons, especially at the axons.
There is still no known cause for MS, but the most accepted hypothesis attributes it to the combination of factors such as viral infection, molecular alterations and vascular disease.
Here is an overview of some of the most effective treatments we have found for Multiple Sclerosis. Our objective is to lower inflammation and maximize oxygenation to support your failing nervous system.
Food as medicine: Since nutrition plays an essential role in your way to healing, during your stay you will have organic, high anti-oxidative, pesticide-free meals that will be low in inflammatory elements. Frequently, MS patients have intestinal mobility issues that can translate into digestive problems (such as constipation). Inadequate function of the digestive system can lead to greater intestinal permeability which, in turn, can be related to systemic inflammation and autoimmune symptoms. In our protocol, we incorporate a therapeutic diet and supplements to improve the digestive process and favor an optimal absorption of nutrients, as well as lower inflammatory conditions.
Medical Therapies: Your doctor can select from various medical therapies to treat your disease, with the objective of getting to the root of your condition rather than just treating symptoms.
Supplements: In this program administering the right supplements is paramount for us; this allows for the patient to optimize the immune system response, fight off free radicals, diminish oxidative stress, provide healthy fatty acids, etc. IV nutrition therapy can help to fight free radicals. In cases where we deem it necessary, we will use chelation as well, to help the body to get rid of heavy metal toxicity.
Vitamin B12 therapy: If there is a vitamin B12 deficiency, susceptibility to degeneration of the nervous system is a common occurrence. B12 promotes the maintenance of balanced nervous system.
Fitness: During their stay, our guests will learn balance training to improve their gait, reduce falls and decrease pain of lower extremities. We will work on your coordination and flexibility and if possible, strength and endurance, to promote oxygenation.
SPA treatments: Sanoviv has several soothing and relaxing treatments available. Among other benefits, these treatments help to decrease your stress levels. Also, therapies in this area will favor detoxification processes and help to alleviate oxidative stress at the same time as lymphatic congestion, while some others can assist the patient in pain management.
We know that your stay at Sanoviv is only the beginning of your healing process. To support you on your way to recovery, you will receive an individualized home program at the end of your stay which you will incorporate as part of your daily lifestyle. We will continue to support your progress with our After Care program that will effortlessly coordinate any questions or comments you might have for your health team.
Sanoviv recommended program “NeuroTherapy“.
Assessment
In the diagnosis and assessment of a patient with Multiple Sclerosis doctors search for signs and symptoms that are common to the disease.
The diagnostics that you have most likely already received from your doctor at home are:
- An MRI to look for lesions in the central nervous system
- A Spinal tap to look for evidence of chronic inflammation and other indicators in the spinal fluid
- Assess the optical nerve to determine the existence of a reduction in the nerve conductivity.
At Sanoviv, we go above and beyond this. We start with your clinical history, and using our Functional Medicine tools, center our attention on discovering any exposure to risk factors such as chemicals, pesticides or intoxication by heavy metals. Other aspects of the medical history, such as family background and allergies, can provide a wealth of information that is sometimes overlooked by traditional doctors.
Furthermore, a high exposure to free radicals coming from the diet and environment and a low anti-oxidant content of the food is important to evaluate. Long term exposure to electromagnetic fields has been documented as a trigger.
Food intolerances, especially to gluten, have often been linked to MS. We also need to evaluate the level of excitotoxins in the diet, such as MSG (monosodium glutamate found often in Asian food) and aspartame (found in some diet soft drinks) since they lead to an excess of glutamate which will cause neuronal injury and apoptosis.
A low Vitamin D level from lack of sun exposure can be the cause for the onset of Multiple Sclerosis, which explains in part, why there is so much more incidence of MS in certain latitudes. A chronic exposure to molds can result in a clinical picture that may be labeled erroneously as Multiple Sclerosis.
There are multiple facets to this disease and each possibility needs to be evaluated and taken into account. This is what makes Sanoviv’s approach so unique.
Routine testing here could include:
- Complete blood work
- Urinalysis
- Stool test
- Thyroid panel
- Anti peroxidase antibodies
- Fasting insulin levels
- Vitamin D levels
- Glycosylated Hemoglobin
- DHEA
- Sedimentation rate
- FIA (by SpectraCell)
- Biological Terrain Analysis
- Bio-resonance studies
Integration
Not only do we have state of the art diagnostic and assessment tools, we have a fully integrated team of health professionals who will study all of this information and connect the dots in order to determine not only why your biochemical, physiological, structural and psychospiritual individuality has developed Multiple Sclerosis, but also how you can regain your health. Like Multiple Sclerosis, disease usually develops as a result of multiple imbalances in the person’s life. You will work in partnership with your team of health professionals that in turn will work with the whole staff of health professionals to create a program specifically designed for you from all the information obtained.
In your health team:
Your Medical doctor will facilitate your medical treatment and coordinate all other treatments into your program.
Your Psychologist will help to determine any emotional factors that might contribute to the development of Multiple Sclerosis and support your relaxation.
Your Dentist will assess and treat any issues that could exacerbate the inflammatory process like gingivitis, abscesses and heavy metal toxicity.
Your Nutritionist will assess your diet and give you information on the role food will play in your healing.
Your Chiropractor will assess and treat any structural imbalances that might be contributing to your health issues.
Your Fitness Expert will help you strengthen and exercise your body in a holistic way to support detoxification and healing.
Sanoviv recommended diagnostics “Integrative Physical”.
FAQ
What can you offer me?
This is a difficult question to answer as every person is different and every person dealing with MS has his or her own set of challenges. We have many proven therapies and treatments that can work synergistically to improve your health. For more information please contact one of our doctors or review our core program for neurological disorders, the Neuro Repair program.
How long do I have to come to Sanoviv?
Our ideal protocol is a minimum of 3 weeks but we do accept patients who can not stay as long but still wants to get our full evaluation and start applying our treatment plan at Sanoviv with the intention of following it at home. We do achieve the best results when our MS patients come for at least 3 weeks.
Will I ever stop using medication if I follow your program?
Usually this is the case when you have full compliance to the recommendations. Our MS patients do very well with the different treatment options we have. At Sanoviv we will work in partnership with you to find the treatment protocol that works for you and your goals. Stopping medication completely needs to be evaluated on a person to person basis.
Why is there more incidence of Neurodegenerative disease now than before?
Since the era of industrialization, we have seen an increase of neurodegenerative disorders for various reasons. We started using a lot of pesticides on crops to be able to mass produce vegetables and fruits increasing our level of toxicity. Because of this high demand from the industry, we don’t let the soil rest and regenerate so we have lost the quality of the nutritive content, therefore diminishing our levels of anti-oxidative protection. Plus, there are a lot of additives in processed foods. The level of stress has increased in our daily lives. We have less exposure to natural sunlight from working indoor most of the time. Our population is more sedentary than ever. Our world is becoming more synthetic and less natural; therefore we are exposed to a lot of chemicals and heavy metals. All of the above are contributing factors to neurodegenerative disease in today’s life.
Is there a chance that I have been misdiagnosed with MS?
Yes, it is possible. For example, research has shown that mold toxicity can mimic MS symptoms. Since Sanoviv does not treat the diagnosis but rather the patient, we will focus on treating the cause of the MS or MS like symptoms. Again, this is where our approach of focusing on your biochemical individuality can really point us in the right direction.
What are the underlying causes of MS?
Although there is no known cause of MS, the most accepted theories suggest that multiple sclerosis can come from viral infections, molecular imbalances and vascular problems. A common trigger associated with MS is exposure to toxic chemicals, pesticides or heavy metals.
What do you mean when you say you practice “Functional Medicine”?
Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.Sanoviv is the only hospital in the world to be certified in the Functional Medicine approach.
What is the importance of the integrative team approach?
The importance of this approach is that you are assessed and treated as a whole human being. Many of the health issues that we faced today are multi-faceted; there is no one definitive cause. When a whole team of health professionals come together and make sense of the information, it is easier to see what are the underlying factors that weave together to create your unique symptoms. Once we have this clarity, dealing with it effectively is much easier.
I just saw the dentist recently, why do I have to see one again at Sanoviv?
In our integrated approach the assessment by all the health professionals is very important. Even though all our professionals are certified and licensed by their specific profession’s Board, we go above and beyond what allopathic care practices. In regards to dental care, here we practice Biological Dentistry. This form of dentistry takes into consideration many things that traditional dentistry would not. These different paradigms and assessment tool are what sets apart from traditional care.
I have a wide range of issues besides Multiple Sclerosis and feel overwhelmed, what can you offer me?
We will help you organize your health priorities in the order of what will have the most profound impact on getting you healthy again. We will properly assess and treat the underlying causes through the use of specialized tools and prioritize those areas where we can have the most impact. You will leave Sanoviv with a detailed plan on how to approach healing in a functional way. Think of it as your personal owner’s manual.
How soon will I feel better?
It all depends on the duration and severity of your health issues. What is possible is to determine the right path to wellness through an integrative assessment and treatment plan that will combine the best of allopathic and alternative medicine. We will work together to facilitate you being an active participant in your health and healing. With our support, you can be the hero of your healing journey.
Will I ever stop using medication if I follow your program?
The mechanism of action of medication is mostly to block chemical reactions in the body and most of the time won’t have an impact on treating the root factor that is causing the imbalance in the body but rather to artificially maintain balance. As an example, a lot of people will take a Tylenol when they get a headache but the headache is not caused by a deficiency of Tylenol. In Sanoviv we will work together at finding what is the cause for the headache and treat it. When you come to Sanoviv, we start treating the causes of the disease and over time, the body will find its balance again. For this reason, you might start seeing changes in laboratory values and the doctor might have to start reducing the medication and reduce dosage until you reach homeostasis.
Can I bring someone to help me out at Sanoviv?
Yes, you can bring a companion to support your stay. Especially since our program is based on applying lifestyle changes to support your ongoing health, bringing your spouse or significant other can be helpful as both of you can learn firsthand about these recommended changes. We require you bring a companion for support if you are very compromised and cannot get from appointment to appointment without assistance.
What type of IVs do you use?
We use different types of IV therapy protocols depending on the type of health issues and the biochemical individuality of each guest. For a more detailed explanation of this please refer to our IV Therapy page. Our main goal with IV therapies is to provide vital nutrients to the guest, bypassing the digestive system to allow a greater absorption by the body.
What does a typical day at Sanoviv look like?
Even though we have a set of daily activities, each schedule is different from guest to guest. We really hand tailor your treatment to best accommodate what you need to be well. Usually our days start with an hour of relaxation practices, like meditation and energy medicine class. Then a light stretching class after which you have breakfast. Afterwards, most of the therapies and consultations take place. Usually there is some time for a snack break before lunch. After lunch we have some of our afternoon classes or more therapies and sessions until dinner. After dinner we have the main class in our auditorium to end the day.
Do I need to comeback after the end of my treatments?
Usually it takes years of detrimental lifestyle choices and habits to start showing symptoms of imbalances in the body. Regaining your health is a process and we can not expect to reverse all imbalances within a couple of weeks. What we can do is help you get on the road to recovery. For this reason, it’s ideal to come back after having applied all recommendations suggested by our team so we can reevaluate your current state of health and help you continue on the path to optimal health. Of course, this is not mandatory but strongly suggested.
Do you do surgeries at Sanoviv?
Yes. Even though our approach is based on finding the most natural and least invasive course of treatment, we know that sometimes surgery is unavoidable and is a necessary step in your recovery. We offer a wide range of surgeries that can be combined with our innovative therapies and treatments to speed your recovery. Please check our Surgeries at Sanoviv page for more information.
I have special dietary needs. Can Sanoviv accommodate these?
Yes. We are experts at accommodating special dietary needs as we know the importance of having the right food for your specific needs can be to get well again. Our nutritionists and kitchen staff are highly proficient in adapting our meals to serve you in the best way. Nutrition and eating properly for your biochemical individuality is one of the cornerstones of our treatments.
Am I going to be eating twigs and leaves all of my life?
The diet at Sanoviv is a whole-food, cleansing diet that eliminates many of the common food allergens along with processed foods, sugar and damaged oils. Although you eat many vegetables (both cooked and raw) here, your nutritionist will provide you with a diet to follow at home based on your health condition, your access to certain foods, your ancestral heritage, and your desire to make positive health changes. Our goal is to provide you with a diet that will nourish you and improve your health, but also one that is realistic and works with your lifestyle. You may not be eating “leaves and twigs” all your life, but you will have been introduced to many new and different foods during your stay here as well as how certain foods are used as medicine
Programs
Each program focuses our assessment and treatment tools towards a specific health issue and your individual experience of these health issues, you can find more about our programs here.
Contact a Health Advisor
If you feel that your specific health issue or area of interest does not fit into any of these areas, please contact us to speak with a friendly admissions person. They will be happy to answer your questions and provide information.
Therapies & Classes
At Sanoviv, we are pleased to offer an extensive array of proven therapies from around the world, from therapies, detoxification treatments, nutrition lectures, fitness classes and more.
