SASKATOON – New research from McMaster University says there is no link between blocked neck and MS, a finding some people dispute.
Liberation therapy is a controversial procedure where neck veins in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis are opened up, relieving symptoms of the disease in some people.
Lyle Vindeg, an MS sufferer, had his neck veins cleared three years ago.
“It’s a big time improvement. as far as I’m concerned, it’s kind of worth living now”, said Vindeg.
Vindeg began developing symptoms in his 30’s. He still struggles to walk but since the procedure in 2010, feeling to his hands and feet has returned, he’s regained his bladder control and a once slurred speech is now clear and says “health wise, I feel really good.”
The McMaster University Study examined 100 MS patients and compared them to 100 people with no neurological disease.
Blocked veins, known in the medical world as Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficieny (CCSVI), was found in just one patient.
“Our study provides compelling evidence against the idea that this CCSVI hypothesis is actually associated with MS,” said Dr. Ian Rodger who led the study.
Varying results from different studies have liberation therapy supporters questioning study outcomes and pointing to the pharmaceutical industry.
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“Look at MS drugs… there’s a lot of money to be made on MS drugs” said Michelle Walsh, director of the National CCSVI Society.
The Government of Saskatchewan has invested two-million dollars in a clinical study to test the effectiveness of the procedure.
The province has the highest rate of MS per capita with 3500 people diagnosed.
Eighty-six MS patients from the province have been sent to Albany, New York for a double blind study.
Some will receive the procedure, others will undergo a placebo. The clinical trial won’t conclude for another year at which time patients hope to be offered a theory to support what they say they already know.
“I would say it works, it sure helped me anyway” said Vindeg.
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