Home » Health & Wellness » Multiple Sclerosis/MS » Body Image and Multiple Sclerosis

Body Image and Multiple Sclerosis

© Pamela Martin

Realization, Meditation, and Appreciation

Personally speaking, I realize that most of my body image issues are a result of my need to always be in control. Before MS, I considered my personal fitness goals as proof of my ability to maintain control over my body. I felt strong and capable, not just physically, but also in terms of emotional willpower. For me, one of the hardest things about multiple sclerosis is to stop fighting my illness and just learn to live with it.

According to Salt Lake City neurologist Jack Petajan, who has been caring for people with MS for 36 years:

"A fight for control is exhausting. The fact is we can't, at this point in time, force MS to go away. Meditation and similar techniques teach people to be in touch with their bodies, to appreciate and permit whatever one can or can't do, right now. This doesn't mean tossing out self-discipline. But it does mean letting go of all those 'shoulds' and 'musts' that can cause so much distress...People with MS, whose condition is changing all the time, need to be masters of this kind of awareness." ²

Become a master of awareness? I think I can handle that. I certainly realize that I'm engaging in self-defeating behavior when I focus solely on what my perceived "flaws" are. But how much thought have I given to the incredible miracle that my body is still capable of? Once I realize my mental blocks, how do I work toward the goal of appreciating my body?

One way that I work toward a more positive image is to treat my body well. I have evolved from classic "meat-and-potatoes" meals, to a more balanced, low-fat and nutrient-rich diet. I consult regularly with my physicians, and make them an active part of my approach to wellness. I listen to my body, and when I'm feeling tired, I give it the rest it requires. Just as with anything else in life, you tend to appreciate more those things that you make an effort to take care of.

To illustrate the idea of body appreciation, Dr. Debora Burgard of BodyPositive® offers some interesting insight on the subject:

"So much of the time we are either taking our bodies for granted or actively disparaging them. And yet they keep serving us, day after day. Take a few moments to think about how your body has been loyally functioning on your behalf, and write anything you'd like to share with others."³