PARALYSIS
(also see: Bell's palsy)
Definition:
Loss or impairment of motor function due to a condition of the neural or muscular mechanism.
Etiology:
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spinal cord injury: paralysis following a spinal cord injury may be temporary (concussion or contusion) or permanent
(from laceration or transection)
polio: this causes asymmetric flaccid limb paralysis or bulbar palsies without sensory loss
Signs and Symptoms:
1. history of accident/trauma or polio
2. acute transverse cord lesion: the most serious injury, causes immediate flaccid paralysis that gradually changes into
spastic paralysis over days or hours from an exaggeration of the normal stretch receptors
a. paralysis occurs below where the cord was transected:
A. above C5: causes respiratory paralysis and is usually fatal
B. C4-5: causes complete quadriplegia
C. C5-6: the arms can abduct and flex
D. C6-7: paralysis of legs, wrists and hands, though shoulder movement is normal and elbows can
flex
E. Above T1: causes miotic pupils
F. C8-T1: causes Horner's syndrome
G. T11-12: affects leg muscles above and below the knees
H. T12-L1: paralysis below the knee
Lab Findings:
1. CSF findings in polio will show increased protein and AST (also present in many viral CNS diseases)
2. check associated blood findings
Course/Prognosis:
1. spinal cord trauma: compressed nerve tissue will recover its function, although severed or degenerated nerve
processes will lead to permanent disability
a. any dysfunction remaining after 6 months will probably be permanent
2. polio: fewer than 25% of afflicted patients suffer permanent disability, 25% have mild disabilities and > than 50%
recover with no residual paralysis
Differential Diagnosis:
1. differentiate among the many causes of paralysis by clinical picture and etiology
2. MS
3. Bell's palsy
Nutrition:
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increase foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, manganese, sulfur, iodine, tryptophan
egg yolk, celery, fish, raw goat's milk, veal joint broth, cod roe, rice polishings, brewer's yeast, nutritional yeast
Avoid:
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heavy protein foods: meat, shellfish
hot sauces, spicy, fried, fatty, rich and/or salty foods
sweet foods and sugar, white bread
dairy products
refined and processed foods
alcohol, coffee, caffeine
catarrh forming foods: tofu, meat, ice cream, shellfish
Supplements:
1. vitamin B complex (esp. B-2, B-6)
2. vitamin C (3g QD)
3. selenium (300mcg QD)
4. choline, inositol
5. essential FAs (2 Tbsp. QD)
Hydrotherapy:
1. hot fomentation (watch heat if sensory problems)
2. hammock bath for muscle spasms
3. wet sheet pack
Manipulation:
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PARALYSIS
(also see: Bell's palsy)
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during polio infection without fever, check and align C1-3
Physiotherapy:
1. water exercises: begun as soon as possible, esp. for affected part
2. passive exercises: right after onset
3. massage
4. diathermy: include region of cord where lesion is between two electrodes
5. sine: 15-20 surges/min. for 5 min., gradually increasing time as muscles improve
Botanicals:
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Arnica montana (toxic): chronic milder forms, paraplegia, hemiplegia after acute inflammation from injury has
passed
Avena sativa: hemiplegia following apoplexy; wasting diseases
Capsicum frutescens: local or general of central origin
Claviceps purpurea (toxic): ergot; hemiplegia, paraplegia
Collinsonia canadensis: with Avena sativa; infantile
Conium maculatum (toxic): from below upwards; vertigo, staggering gait
Crataegus spp.: paralysis of the L side with heart involvement
Gelsemium sempervirens (toxic): after rheumatism, inflammatory conditions of cerebrospinal system
Hypericum perforatum: helps nerve growth, spinal injuries
Physostigma venenosum (toxic): for temporary use in progressive paralysis of the insane
Rhus toxicodendron (toxic): hemiplegia or paralysis of legs after rheumatism
Strychnos ignatia (toxic): local, hysteric, neurasthenic, following diphtheria or syphilis; due to lead or arsenic; nerve
stimulant
Strychnos nux vomica (toxic): local, not caused by hemorrhage with the nervous system or inflammation
Homeopathy:
1. Arnica: paralysis of extravasation of blood in brain, from concussion of spine or brain, of apoplexy; sore, bruised,
everything on which he lies feels too hard
2. Bulgaris
3. Causticum: R sided paralysis
4. Conium: paralysis from periphery upward to spinal cord and medulla oblongata after concussion of spine; acute
ascending spinal paralysis, painless lameness
5. Kali phosphoricum: paralytic lameness in back and extremities, < exertion, > motion; pain esp. felt after rising from
sitting or on beginning to move; softening of spinal cord with gradual deadening of nerves
6. Lathyrus: reflexes always increased; spastic paralysis of lower extremities; excessive rigidity of legs; no atrophy;
abductors move attacked than adductors; sensibility remaining intact or even hyper-aesthetic; affects lateral and
anterior columns of cord
7. Magnesia phosphorica: neuralgia every night but well during day; acute pains coming periodically, excruciating,
spasmodic, extending to the ends of nerve fibers; drawing, constrictive kind of pain
8. Mezereum: causes is syphilis, herpes zoster; painful parts sensitive to pressure; severe, constant shaking, chill with
anxiety and stitches in R side
9. Phosphorus: ascending sensory/motor paralysis; paralysis of spinal origin; tingling and formincation in limbs, > form
friction; heat in paralyzed part
10. Ranunculus bulbosus: sharp shooting pains about chest; chest feels sore, bruised; < from touch, motion or turning
body
11. Zincum metallicum: neuralgic pains between skin and muscle in subcutaneous tissue; great weakness of all limbs;
deficiency in vital power
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