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A neck injury while taking down a 12-foot Christmas tree led to worsening neck pain and loss of control in my right hand. With a history of cervical fusion, degenerative disc disease, and multiple sclerosis, I was left asking a familiar question: Is this neurological, structural, or both?

After my primary care physician ruled out the need for emergency care, she encouraged me to explore possible mechanical causes before my upcoming neurology appointment. That recommendation led me into the world of complementary musculoskeletal treatment.

Significant misalignment 

During my chiropractic evaluation, one detail stood out immediately. My right shoulder was sitting nearly an inch lower than my left. I had felt pain and instability, but I had not seen it. The asymmetry was visible.

The chiropractor described it as a significant misalignment, often referred to as a subluxation. This is not a full dislocation, but it means the joint is not sitting in its proper position, which can alter muscle firing patterns and irritate surrounding nerves.

Because of my spinal history, I was explicit: do not manipulate my neck. He respected that boundary and focused only on adjusting the shoulders.

The first adjustment was intense. He warned me it would hurt, and it did. The repositioning of the shoulder was forceful and extremely painful. I did not feel immediate relief. I felt soreness and muscle fatigue, which is common after joint correction. But structurally, something had shifted.

Complementary treatments 

From there, I was sent directly to physical therapy for a sequence of complementary treatments. For readers considering similar approaches, it is important to understand what these therapies are designed to do.

Ultrasound therapy uses high-frequency sound waves to generate heat deep within soft tissue. The goal is to increase circulation, promote healing, and reduce inflammation in tight or injured areas.

Cupping involves placing suction cups on the skin to create negative pressure. This can increase blood flow and reduce muscle tension. It often leaves temporary circular marks but may improve mobility in restricted tissue.

Dry needling targets muscular trigger points. Thin needles are inserted into tight bands of muscle to release spasms and improve movement. It is different from acupuncture and focuses on musculoskeletal dysfunction rather than traditional energy pathways.

Electrical stimulation (e-stim) uses controlled electrical impulses to stimulate muscles and decrease pain signals. It can help muscles that are firing improperly regain more normal function.

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, often referred to as scraping, uses specialized tools to apply controlled pressure along muscle and fascia. The goal is to break up scar tissue, improve blood flow, and restore mobility to restricted areas.

Massage therapy works to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and support overall tissue recovery. In the context of structural imbalance, it can help muscles that have been overcompensating begin to relax.

It is important to note these therapies address mechanical and muscular dysfunction. They do not treat MS itself. They do not repair demyelination or alter immune activity. However, when structural imbalance is contributing to pain or altered movement, they can be valuable components of a broader treatment strategy.

Blurry distinctions 

After the first session, I went home sore but cautiously hopeful. During the weekend, I noticed I could sit slightly longer before sharp spinal pain became intolerable. The right-hand symptoms remained, but the intensity of the spinal pain had shifted.

On my second visit, we repeated the same routine. Shortly afterward, I flew to Austin for work. Extended sitting on a plane, hotel mattresses, and long meetings quickly erased much of the progress. Travel alone can undo careful musculoskeletal work.

When I returned for another session, the chiropractor adjusted my left shoulder as well to create better symmetry. Within days, something changed.

I began experiencing pins and needles on the left side in addition to the right. The sensations extended beyond my hands, traveling down both sides of my body toward my toes.

That development shifted the situation.

When symptoms become bilateral and extend beyond a localized area, the possibility of neurological involvement becomes more concerning. At that point, the distinction between structural dysfunction and MS-related activity feels less clear.

This is where navigating complementary treatments with MS requires thoughtful coordination.

Things to consider 

Complementary therapies can absolutely help mechanical dysfunction. When joints are misaligned and muscles compensate unevenly, targeted adjustments and rehabilitation can restore balance and reduce pain.

But complementary care must be approached deliberately when you have a chronic neurological condition. If you live with MS and are exploring chiropractic or other complementary therapies, consider the following:

• Disclose your full medical history. Prior surgeries, baseline neurological deficits, and current symptom changes matter.
• Establish clear boundaries. I declined cervical manipulation because of my surgical history and active symptoms. Advocating for your comfort level is essential.
•  Monitor symptoms closely. Improvement in localized pain does not automatically mean neurological stability. New or spreading neurological symptoms require prompt evaluation.
•  Coordinate care. Complementary therapy should work alongside neurology and primary care, not in place of them.

The larger context

The pins and needles are now bilateral, extending down both sides toward my toes. I do not yet know whether this progression is structural, neurological, or a combination of both.

What I do know is that when you live with MS, every intervention must be evaluated within the larger context of your disease. Mechanical problems deserve treatment. Neurological disease demands vigilance. The challenge is resisting the urge to assign a diagnosis too quickly.

Complementary treatments can be valuable tools. They are not shortcuts, and they are not without complexity when layered onto MS.

The most important takeaway is this: when you live with MS, every new therapy should be part of a coordinated, informed plan and not an isolated experiment.