Neurology and Pain Therapy Berlin: Prof. Dr Thomas Müller

Prof. Dr Thomas Müller is a specialist in neurology and Chief Physician at the Clinic of Neurology at the Alexian St Joseph Hospital in Berlin-Weißensee since 2007.

"Our Therapeutic Approach is as Individualistic as Each of Our Patients" – Prof. Dr Thomas Müller

Prof. Müller is one of the leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. He and his team rely on innovative therapeutic approaches and treatment procedures in order to enable patients keeping their highest possible quality of life.

In addition, Professor Müller advances through the provision of research progress of individual diseases. Furthermore, Professor Müller is responsible for the arrangement of numerous specialist and patient events, in particular on multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

The Alexian St Joseph Hospital, Berlin-Weissensee

As a centre for neurology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychosomatics, the Alexian St Joseph Hospital in Berlin-Weißensee is well known beyond the borders of Berlin.

With its specialised clinics for psychiatry and neurology, the institution offers a varied range of diagnostic procedures and therapies for people with mental and neurological diseases. The Clinic of Neurology has three different highly specialized sections – the Multiple Sclerosis Center with a distinctive outpatient department in line with §116 B of the Fifth Book of the German Social Code (SGB V). The second facility is the Center for Parkinson's Therapy and last but not least, the Pain Therapy Center.

The Department of Neurology at the Alexian St Joseph Hospital, Berlin-Weißensee

The Department of Neurology in Berlin under Prof. Müller’s command is focused on the alleviation of symptoms of severe neurological diseases and improvement of functional limitations in order to enhance patients’ quality of life.

The Spectrum of the Neurology Department:

• Center for Multiple Sclerosis (including special outpatient department in line with §116 B SGB V)
• Center for Parkinson's Therapy
• Center for Pain Therapy (complex pain disorders – including those of the spine, as well as interdisciplinary, multimodal pain therapy)
• Dementia diagnostics in collaboration with the Department of Geriatric Mental Health
• Treatment centre for restless legs syndrome

The Department of Neurology offers patients diagnostics and treatment for diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. It prides itself for outstanding expertise in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and complex pain disorders. Likewise, it performs the diagnosis of dementia as well as treatment of restless legs syndrome. In addition, the Department of Neurology supports research of new therapies by conducting clinical trials. Thanks to the participation in a clinical trial, patients benefit from innovative, not yet widely available therapies.

You will find an overview of currently ongoing studies here.

Centre of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the most common chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) predominantly occurring in adulthood.

In MS patients, the immune system destroys parts of the nervous system. Primarily affected are nerve fibres which are instrumental in the onward transmission of impulses - but nerve cells as well.

Among other things, this leads to paralysis as a result that muscles can no longer be properly coordinated and sensory signals cannot be correctly transmitted.

The disease is generally not curable. However, its course can be controlled and mitigated through modern therapy measures.

Media coverage in a German Magazine:
“Frau von Heute”, 30.08.2019: "Heute kann ich wieder ein normales Leben führen (These days, I can lead a normal life again)"

Intrathecal Triamcinolone Acetonide Therapy

Intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) therapy is a steroid application for the treatment of MS patients. The active substance is introduced into the spinal cord canal similarly to a lumbar puncture. Advantages of this treatment method is the delayed release of active substances and thus the prolonged duration of action including the resulting reduction of side effects - compared to the usual intravenous cortisone administration. Despite the lower dosage, a higher drug concentration is achieved in the nerve water cells as to intravenous administration of similar doses of cortisone.

Progressive MS patients in particular are severely restricted in their range of movement capabilities, or are even immobile. By means of intrathecal therapy, the movability of these patients can be significantly increased. As a result, patients’ walking distance abilities can be tripled in many cases.

Professor Müller has contributed significantly to the study of intrathecal TCA therapy and published his findings in various journals.

You will find selected publications on intrathecal TCA therapy and MS research by Prof. Dr Thomas Müller here.

Special Outpatient Ambulance in Line with §116 B SGB V

In addition to inpatient treatment, the offerings for those afflicted with multiple sclerosis are supplemented by the special outpatient department in line with German article of law §116 B SGB V. The outpatient clinic of the Alexian St Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weißensee in affiliation with the Center of Multiple Sclerosis focuses on neuroregenerative therapy counteracting disease-related neurodegeneration. Since October 2019, the facility has been acclaimed as MS center of excellence by the German Multiple Sclerosis Society Federal Association.

Center for Parkinson's Therapy

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common and well-known diseases of the nervous system. In this disease, nerve cells in the midbrain area die off resulting in a deficiency of the messenger substance dopamine.

Dopamine helps controlling body movements. Typical symptoms of Parkinson's disease therefore include movement disorders such as muscle tremors, walking in small steps, slowed movements, or muscle rigidity.

Although it is still not possible to cure the cause of Parkinson’s disease, significant progress has been made in relieving symptoms in recent years. Professor Müller and his team of physicians can effectively reduce symptoms over a long period of time, thus helping their patients living an active and autonomous life for as long as possible. More information on drug therapy of Parkinson's disease can be found in Professor Müller's publication "Medikamentöse Therapie von Parkinson" (Drug Therapy of Parkinson's) (Publishing house: UNI-MED Verlag AG).

The Center for Parkinson's Therapy offers following analysis and therapy services including optical laser freezing gait analysis with training, BIG© therapy, Smovey© therapy, Smovey© gait therapy, and Smovey© balance training.

Centre for Pain Therapy for Neurological Diseases

Complex Pain Disorders (Acute and Chronic)

Acute pain serves as a necessary warning signal in order to prevent tissue damage. The word "acute" refers to sudden pain onsets which will not last.

If pain persists without particular triggers, the pain loses its warning function. This leads to the onset of a pain disorder that can last for months or years.

If pain is not effectively controlled and persists for long periods, the nerve cells start reacting more sensitively. This in return reduces a person's pain threshold. At the same time, a “pain memory” begins to develop, whereby even weak pain stimuli are increasingly felt as severe discomforts. This can lead so far that the nervous system emits pain signals even though there is no organic cause for it present.

As a specialist in pain therapy, Professor Müller focuses together with his team on a precise diagnosis of pain. Individual treatment concepts are developed with the aim of enabling those affected to live a pain-free life as far as possible.

Spinal Complaints

Many people suffer from back pain. The cause cannot always be determined exactly. In some cases, a herniated disc can trigger the pain. In other circumstances, the clinical picture is much more complex. Surgery is not always the only solution because psychological components often play a major role. This is particularly true in unspecific back pain irritations. Professor Müller and the doctors of the pain center at the Alexian St Joseph Hospital Berlin-Weißensee specialize in the detailed diagnosis of non-specific spinal complaints.

In order to restore patients' mobility and resilience as well as possible, the team led by Professor Müller relies on an individualised consultation and treatment concept.

Multimodal Pain Therapy

Multimodal pain therapy is based on a combined pain treatment. The multimodal pain combination therapy at the Alexian St Joseph Hospital in Berlin-Weißensee consists of medical and activity-based therapeutic approaches. Since transitions between neurological and psychosomatic illnesses are difficult to be distinguished, they offer psychotherapeutic counselling in addition to gentle treatment measures and nerve stimulation methods.

Dementia

Dementia refers to a pattern of symptoms associated with progressive loss of people's sense of orientation as well as short and long term memory loss. At later stages of the disease, a subsequent loss of everyday life skills occurs accordingly.

Dementia is divided into primary dementia as Alzheimer's disease or secondary Dementia which occurs as a result of another internal or neurological defect.

In order to be able to isolate the condition and provide timely treatment, early diagnosis is particularly important. Although many forms of dementia are not curable, there are a number of medications and alternative therapies that can slow or delay its course.

The Alexian St Joseph Hospital in Berlin-Weissensee has a powerful team for medicating dementia. This is accomplished by the Department of Neurology and the Department of Geriatric Mental Health in collaboration. The overall responsibility for somatic diagnostics lies with the Clinic for Neurology.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Restless legs syndrome (also known as Ekbom syndrome) is a neurological disorder accompanied by sensory disturbances and a strong urge to move the legs. In rarer cases, arms are affected.

RLS - restless legs syndrome - causes pulling, tension or tingling in the legs during rest. Sometimes, this condition is associated with pain. The symptoms usually appear in the evenings or at night. Exercise can relieve symptoms. Frequent side effects of the disease further include twitching of the arms or legs during sleep (periodic limb movements) which can lead to insomnia.

For many of those affected, RLS is a torture both during the day and at night. A number of simple measures such as massages, cold foot baths, cooling ointments or certain movement exercises can show improvements. Customised medicinal therapy can also relieve the otherwise incurable disease.

German media coverage:
SUPERillu, 01.07.2019: "Endlich wieder ruhig schlafen (Finally restful sleep again)"

For more information and an overview of the therapies on offer, please visit the Clinic for Neurology's website.