Complementary therapies

Can complentary therapies help?

This is an introduction to some of the complementary therapies you may hear about in connection with MS. However, these are not recommendations and you should always contact your GP or neurologist when considering any new treatment.

Living with MS

If you have MS, you may be anxious for something to make you feel better; you may feel you have to try anything and everything that might help; or you may have been left feeling there is nothing that can be done at all.

Although there is no cure yet, there are many orthodox medical treatments which can help MS symptoms. It makes sense to adopt a healthy lifestyle and diet. It is also important to do things which help you to keep a positive attitude; many people with MS consider complementary therapies a part of this. Although not a cure for MS, complementary therapies may have a role in relieving certain symptoms.

A holistic approach

Complementary therapies operate on the principle of treating the 'whole person', and aim to stimulate the body's own healing powers, rather than just supressing symptoms.

Complementary (or 'alternative', 'natural' or 'holistic') medicine covers a wide range of therapies, including aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbalism, homeopathy, osteopathy and chiropractic.

Are they effective?

Most complementary therapies have not been through the double-blind clinical trials used to assess orthodox treatments, and very few have been tested for use in MS, so their effectiveness is not scientifically proven. In considering claims for any treatment, it is also necessary to allow for the 'placebo effect' - when people receive a treatment with no active ingredient, but an improvement is nevertheless observed. It is also known that people can report that they feel better although no measurable change in symptoms can be detected.

Are they safe?

Complementary therapies are often promoted 'safe', 'gentle', or 'natural' - but this doesn't mean they are always free from side effects. Reactions are expected following acupuncture or homeopathic treatment. If you are thinking about taking homeopathic medicine, it is strongly recommended that you talk to a qualified practitioner before buying over-the-counter remedies. There can be other risks - people have been harmed by treatments, by incompetent therapists, or by delaying the use of other proven therapies.

Who pays?

Although homeopathic and some herbal remedies can be prescribed by your GP, complementary therapies are not usually available on the NHS, so you will probably have to pay for them yourself.

How to decide?

It is sensible to be cautious if you have MS. Trying everything can be very expensive and demoralising; if a therapy doesn't work for you, or you start to feel worse, you may end up feeling that it's your own fault. Remember that MS fluctuates and is unpredictable. No two people are the same when it comes to MS symptoms. Some people maintain that complementary therapies are no use at all, while others claim they are the only answer for MS. Take account of all the information available, the opinions of the professionals who are there to support you, and most importantly, your own needs.

Choosing a practitioner

It is important to feel confident in the proffesionalism and expertise of any therapist you consult, to feel safe and that they are supportive.

What suits one person doesn't always suit another, so don't be afraid to move on if you don't feel comfortable with someone. However, it may take time for the relationship to be established, and for the benefits or disadvantages of any treatment to become apparent. If you encounter a new problem, or need urgent help, you should always consult your GP.

Where to find a therapist?

There is little regulation of non-medical practitioners in the UK, so anyone can set themselves up as a therapist, regardless of their qualifications or experience.

Ways of finding a reputable therapist are:

• through a local MS resource or therapy centre (if there is one in your area), which may be run by an MS Society branch or other MS organisation;
• by referral via your neurologist, GP or rehabilitation service;
• for homeopathy only, by referral to an NHS hospital (in London, Bristol, Glasgow, Tunbridge Wells and Liverpool). Check with your GP or local hospital about referral procedures;
• by contacting professional bodies (there may be several) for therapies in which you are interested and asking for a list of practitioners in your area.

The Therapies

There are many kinds of alternative therapies and it is impossible to cover everything here. For more information on diet, nutrition and orthodox treatments for MS symptoms you can search the net or contact the MS helpline. There are also many good books available.

Acupuncture and acupressure

Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of energy in the body and so promote recovery from illness. This is done by placing very fine needles along a network of invisible energy channels (called meridians), unblocking them and allowing energy to flow freely. Acupressure (or shiatsu) works on the same principle, but uses finger and thumb pressure instead of needles.

No studies have been conducted on whether acupuncture can relieve pain in MS but it is sometimes available through pain management clinics. If you experience pain as part of MS, you should discuss this first with your neurologist.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses essential oils, sometimes by heating and releasing them into the atmosphere around you, but more commonly with massage, to relax the body and reduce stress. These oils should never be taken by mouth and should always be diluted in carrier oil for massage. Certain oils should not be used for particular conditions (eg pregnancy or epilepsy), and your aromatherapist should know about these.

Cannabis

Some studies have indicated that cannabis or marijuana may help in reducing spasticity, tremor, muscle spasms, pain or fatigue. The drug is illegal in the UK and cannot be prescribed. However the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics is campaigning for changes in the law. In response to this, two trials have been announced. The trials will test the reported beneficial effects of cannabis on some of the distressing symptoms in MS.

The results of the trials will not be available for two years, but researchers believe that they may lead towards the treatment of MS with cannabis on a proper pharmaceutical basis.

Synthetic extracts (nabilone and dronabinol) exist, but neither is licensed for prescription for MS in the UK.

Chiropractic and osteopathy

Chiropractic and osteopathy aim to restore health by manipulation of the bones, muscles and tissues, especially in the spine, principally to benefit the nervous system (in chiropractic) or the blood supply (in osteopathy). Techniques can vary in strength. Cranial osteopathy involves gentle manipulation of bones in the head and spine. A person with MS and back pain should avoid spinal manipulation or severe spinal adjustments as they may irritate the spinal cord, aggravating neurological problems.

Herbalism

No studies have yet shown any herb to be effective for treating MS. Some herbs can produce serious side effects, or react dangerously with conventional medicines. Chinese herbal remedies sometimes include animal products. Clinical trials have shown that Hypericum (St John's Wort) may help some forms of depression, and may have fewer adverse effects than conventional antidepressants, but these studies did not test its use on people with MS. It should be noted that St John's Wort does react with some conventional medication, so before buying Hypericum, please check with your GP.

Homeopathy

Homeopaths use highly diluted substances, usually in the form of tablets or drops, in the belief that 'like cures like'. A homeopath will take account of a range of factors in addition to your symptoms, matching remedies to the individual. An initial aggravation of symptoms may occur after a treatment, and the homeopath will take this as a sign that the correct remedy has been applied.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO)

It has been claimed that MS symptoms can be alleviated by breathing oxygen in a pressurised chamber. The Federation of MS Therapy Centres has a network around the country where HBO is available, along with services such as physiotherapy, counselling and other forms of support.

Some people feel HBO improves or maintains their condition, others have reported a worsening of symptoms. It can be expensive, but not all centres charge per session. As it is potentially dangerous if not administered correctly, it is important to check that your HBO centre is registered with the Health and Safety Executive, that it abides by the code of conduct of the Federation of Therapy Centres, and that your doctor agrees it is safe for you.

Magnotherapy bracelets

Magnetic bracelets have become a popular new treatment in preventing tremors. However, while some people may feel they benefit from them, there is no conclusive research-based evidence to show that magnetic bracelets are of benefit in MS. And, when bought over the counter, they are not tailored to suit the needs of specific people.

Massage and reflexology

Massage stimulates the blood flow around the body, helps you relax and gives you a general sense of wellbeing. Techniques range from vigorous to very gentle contact. Physiotherapists do not recommend massage for people with spasticity, as it can cause muscles to go into spasm.

Reflexology uses foot massage at specific points to stimulate healing in other parts of the body. Pain at point of pressure is taken to indicate a problem in the related organ, and massage is usually applied until the pain ceases.

Meditation

Meditation can help you deal with stress by focusing on the present moment, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It can help to calm and clear the mind and couteract negative thinking, and it is something you can do for yourself whenever you need it.

Yoga and exercise

However MS affects you, it is important to keep your muscles working as well as possible, and a sensible programme of exercise is beneficial for everyone. However it is important to avoid pushing yourself too far, or raising your body temperature too much, as that can exacerbate symptoms and bring on fatigue.

Yoga calms the mind, energises the body and gives you a greater sense of wellbeing. Many people have found it is a help in countering stress, depression or fatigue, in gaining a more positive attitude and maintaining physical condition.

It is a good idea to talk to your physiotherapist if you are thinking about starting any new form of exercise.

Other therapies

You may well hear claims for other therapies not mentioned here. New ones appear on a regular basis. You don't have to try them all, or indeed try any of them! As there is little objective evidence for the efficacy of many treatments, it is important to be as well informed as possible. If you are interested in a particular therapy, find out all you can and listen to sensible advice - only then can you decide if something is right for you.

© MS Society