Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other effectively. Nerve cells communicate by sending electrical signals down long fibres which are contained within an insulating substance called myelin. In MS, the body's immune system attacks and damages the myelin. When the myelin is lost, the axons can no longer effectively conduct signals which create a wide range of symptoms; some physical, emotional or psychological. Symptoms can range from sudden paralysis, sudden blindness, muscle twitching or weakness, muscle atrophy, incontinence of stool and urine, mental confusion, aphasia, depression, loss of memory or loss of cognitive functions and so on. This disease mainly affects women three times more than men, between the ages of 20 to 40.

Western medicine has reached a certain level of advancements when it comes to diagnosing this disease. However, the causes of MS are still considered unknown and treatments of MS are still considered very experimental and have severe side effects such as mild or severe depression, multi organ failure as well as death. On the other hand, Chinese medicine can greatly affect the quality and length of the life of MS patients. In Chinese medical classical texts we can observe a long list of symptoms being treated with various acupuncture points, Chinese medicinals and moxibustion treatments. However to reach clinical efficacy as a Chinese medicinal practitioner, we must first clearly identify the correct syndrome and cause of disease to understand our treatment approach.