Alternative Therapies For Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis can be very debilitating. And since it is incurable, the only way to really and truly deal with it is to have a positive attitude, take your medication, and keep a healthy diet and exercise.

Alternative therapies can help make life easier for someone suffering with MS, but caution is advised. Speak to your doctor before you try any alternative methods of therapy. All these therapies only ease MS symptoms; they do not provide a cure.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy, in which thin needles are inserted into the body at particular points to help to balance chi (positive) energy. Acupuncture works by helping the body’s muscle relax. Numerous studies have found it to be an effective treatment for a host of conditions including MS-related pain, Parkinson’s disease and arthritis.

Massage

There are various types of massage including Shiatsu massages, Swedish massages and acupressure. A massage works by soothing the skin and relaxing tense stressed muscles. Regular massages can help a person with MS manage their muscle pain more effectively. Acupressure like acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy that involves massaging key points in the body to release stressed muscles.

Yoga

Yoga is all the rage these days with many celebrities trying to get fit. However, the health benefits of yoga are truly incredible. There are many different varieties of yoga, but they all rely on structured poses, timed with breathing. Yoga is great for reliving stress, as it concentrates on posture and breathing, which together act as a powerful form of meditation. Yoga helps to improve flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness in people with MS.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic practice is recognized as one of the most effective treatments for back pain and injury. Back pain is a common problem for people with MS. The basic principle of chiropractic is that spinal manipulation. Chiropractic believes that manipulating the spine improves a person's general state of health.

Evening Primrose Oil & Fish Oil Supplements

Some studies have come to suggest that evening primrose oil and fish oil supplements can moderately reduce the severity and length of an MS attack. However, they do not seem to influence the frequency of attacks.

Marijuana

The use of marijuana to treat any illness remains highly controversial, as it is a controlled substance and is illegal to use. Some people with MS claim that smoking marijuana helps relieve muscle spasticity and other MS symptoms. Research is still ongoing over the use of marijuana in treating health conditions. Keep in mind that marijuana is associated with serious long-term side effects such as heart attack or memory loss.

Some Dubious Therapies To Beware Of

The following alternative therapies have been alleged by some to help people with MS symptoms, but there is no scientific proof to these claims.

• Replacing Mercury Dental Fillings
  Mercury in dental fillings has been incorrectly blamed for causing MS. The claim was that mercury poisoning affects the brain and can cause symptoms similar to MS. This is however not true, and should not be believed. Research studies prove that MS is related to environmental and genetic factors.
  
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
  In this therapy oxygen is inhaled under pressure. Studies around the world have found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has no effect on either MS symptoms or disease progression.
  
• Vitamin Supplements
  High doses of vitamin or mineral supplements have been found to show no definite influence on MS.
  
• Special Diets
  There is also no evidence that dietary factors contribute to MS. A person with MS should eat a well-balanced high fiber diet, and should not restrict themselves to only so-called ‘special foods’.
  
• Speak To Your Doctor
  It is very important that you speak to your doctor often about MS research and know when clinically proven new treatments are being developed. Be cautious when investigating an alternative therapy and be skeptical of 'miracle cure' claims. Always seek out your doctor for advice before starting any alternative treatment.

Be Careful

If you do decide to try an alternative treatment, here are some helpful tips.

• Do not take any claim at face value. Contact reliable organizations and discuss the therapy. Talk to others in a support group as they can help you make an objective balanced decision.
• Speak to others who have used the therapy. Ask them what their experiences have been. Do not try a therapy solely based on the testimonials of a care provider or product manufacturer.
• Avoid providers who refuse to or are reluctant to work with your doctor.
• Avoid any products with secret formulae. Make sure that whatever you take has an easy to read, understandable ‘active ingredients’ list.
• Avoid products that have only a single source, or that are offered through one manufacturer. It probably means it is fake or bogus.