MS Hug – Symptoms and Treatments

The MS hug may sound cosy, but it can actually be very frightening to those who experience it. This chest pain in MS can range from a mild ache to intense pain in the chest or ribs, feeling like you have a tight band around your middle, anywhere between the waist and neck. For some people the pain is just on one side. As the pain is located in the chest area, it can be painful to breathe. 

What is the MS hug?

The MS hug is a symptom of multiple sclerosis that feels like a gentle but firm band of pressure around the chest, ribs, or torso. People often describe it as a squeezing or hugging sensation that can be uncomfortable or sometimes a little painful, though the intensity can vary.

While it can feel worrying, the MS hug isn’t usually dangerous. It often comes and goes, lasting anywhere from a few moments to several hours, and is one of the more recognisable experiences of MS because of the way it wraps around the body.

Symptoms of MS hug

If you get chest pain with your MS that may be just one of the most common symptoms of the MS hug. Symptoms of the MS hug can be temporary, lasting minutes to hours, but may also persist or recur over time. It can be a sporadic or constant problem.

Many describe the physical symptoms of the MS hug as:

• A feeling of tightness, squeezing, or pressure around the chest or torso.
• Pain or discomfort in the ribs, diaphragm, or torso.
• A band-like sensation around the chest, like being hugged tightly or wrapped in a constricting garment.
• Difficulty breathing deeply due to pressure.

Some people with MS experience these feelings wrapped tight around their head or in their feet or hands, making it feel as though they are wearing permanent boots or gloves. 

People describe the sensation differently from pressure to severe pain, or from burning to a tickle.

If you experience any pain in the chest area you need to go straight to see a doctor. If it is sudden-onset, severe pain and you are having trouble breathing, you need to go to the accident and emergency department at your local hospital so they can rule out serious heart or lung problems. 

If you are experiencing other MS symptoms at the same time as the MS hug, you could be having a relapse, so consult with your doctor or MS nurse to find out what pain relief and management they advise. 

Possible Triggers for the MS Hug

Damage caused by MS means that messages from nerves are disrupted or blocked. The MS hug happens when the intercostal muscles —  small muscles between your ribs – go into spasm. These muscles help to expand your chest for you to breathe, so when they go into spasm your chest tightens.  

Nerve pain called dysaesthesia (which means ‘not a normal sensation’) can be experienced in many different ways, such as crawling, stabbing, pins and needles, burning or aching. 

The MS hug can feel worse if you are anxious, stressed, fatigued or you have an infection. It can also feel worse if you are heat-sensitive, so if this is the case, you need to keep cool.

• Stress: Emotional or physical stress can exacerbate the sensation of the MS hug.
• Temperature Changes: Hot or cold weather can sometimes trigger symptoms.
• Overexertion: Physical strain or activity might increase symptoms.
• Infection or Illness: Any illness or infection can lead to a flare-up of MS symptoms, including the MS hug.

How is the MS hug treated?

Applying pressure on the area of the MS hug can sometimes help. Some people with MS find that wearing tight clothing can provide the mind with a reason for the muscle tightness and this tricks the brain into accepting the feelings. A bandage or scarf around the chest can also help in this way. If your hands and feet are affected, then try wearing gloves and boots. 

Alternatively, loose clothing can help others deal with the MS hug. You may feel more relaxed and able to breathe with clothing in a larger size than you would normally wear. 

After applying these immediate adjustments, you may want to consider other physical methods of treatment:

• Physical Therapy: MS physical therapy or gentle stretching exercises can sometimes reduce discomfort or prevent symptoms from becoming more severe.
• Breathing Techniques: Diaphragmatic breathing (deep belly breathing) can help with the sensation of tightness, especially if it impacts your breathing.
• Heat and Cold Therapy: Depending on your preference, you may find relief with heat pads or cold packs.
• Relaxation Techniques: Try mindfulness, yoga, or meditation as ways to reduce your stress levels and promote overall well-being.
• Medication: Work with your doctor to identify the right medications for you. There are a range of potential medications and DMTs that can help with; reducing muscle spasm and stiffness, relieving pain and lowering nerve pain

Lifestyle modifications

The Overcoming MS Program includes a range of lifestyle practices to help reduce MS symptoms including the MS hug. From altering your diet and increasing your physical activity levels to monitoring the amount of vitamin D you intake, modifying your lifestyle under the Overcoming MS Program can have a huge impact on your quality of life.

In particular, you should focus on:

• Managing Stress: Reducing your stress with activities like meditation, deep breathing and engaging in calming hobbies can reduce your symptoms.
• Promoting Self-Care through Physical Activity: Discuss how regular exercise, even mild activity like walking or swimming, can help keep symptoms in check and improve overall mobility.
• Adequate Rest: Prioritise resting after symptoms to prevent more flare-ups

The Overcoming MS community provides advice, friendship and encouragement, helping you to become more resilient and lean on the community in times when you feel overwhelmed. There is so much that is within your control to feel better.