Multiple Sclerosis

In Western medicine, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is categorized as a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system, characterized by immune system-mediated attacks on nerve fibers and their myelin sheaths (Annals of Neurology). The National Multiple Sclerosis Society outlines four primary types of MS: Clinically Isolated Syndrome, Relapsing MS, Secondary Progressive MS, and Primary Progressive MS, each defined by a specific constellation of symptoms, characteristics, and MRI results. Contrarily, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that MS is akin to an atrophy syndrome incited by an invasion of external dampness. TCM identifies multiple patterns of disharmony that contribute to MS, which typically manifest as wind and dampness. These include liver yin and Qi deficiency, kidney yin and Qi deficiency, spleen yin and Qi deficiency, and liver wind agitating (Journal of Ethnopharmacology).