Choices Comple mentary and other therapies Read me… Complementary and other conduct a ‘double-blind’ trial - a research method used in the scientific community therapies to prove the safety and effectiveness of a medicine or treatment where some of the Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) people enrolled in the trial receive the real use complementary and other therapies. treatment, and some receive a placebo. These can be in addition to or complementary to conventional treatments including disease-modifying ‘Try one thing at a time and be clear therapies. They are generally used to but realistic about your expectations.’ create an overall sense of wellbeing. It is estimated that around 70 per cent of Many people receiving complementary people with MS have used a form of therapies report that they find them complementary or other therapy to treat beneficial. If you are considering trying a their symptoms (1). The results of a recent complementary therapy, it is important to short survey by MS-UK showed the most find a reputable therapist who is fully common therapies tried by people with insured and a member of a professional MS are massage and reflexology. body. You can contact the complementary therapy’s organising body to find a A qualified complementary therapist will therapist near you. See further information aim to treat the whole person and not just for details of how to find a practitioner in the symptoms. Each person is treated as your area. an individual and any treatment is tailored to the specific needs of that person. All practitioners should be fully aware of any potential contraindications and will One of the main advantages of using advise of these if relevant. these treatments is that it puts you in charge of decisions around your own Some of the more commonly used health - doing something positive to help therapies amongst people with MS are: yourself. Reflexology, massage, yoga, relaxation, meditation, aromatherapy, and ‘Go for it, if you don’t try you might acupuncture (2). never know what works for you.’ Please note - before booking any treatment please remember to check the cost of the treatment you choose, Research is limited in evaluating the particularly if there is more than one safety and effectiveness of session required. complementary therapies in MS (1). This is because the nature of complementary therapies mean that it is difficult to Helpline: 0800 783 0518 www.ms-uk.org/choicesleaflets There are a number of other therapies may help eye problems and bladder that you may be interested in. These may urgency. It may also help to reduce not all be covered in the following pages. fatigue and increase energy levels and Please contact MS-UK and we will find out give a boost to the immune system. more for you. APS Therapy ‘Try different therapies to find out APS stands for Action Potential what one/s work for you best, although Simulation. It helps to stimulate the body’s give them a chance as not every own healing mechanisms. The APS therapy will feel like it’s helping after machine sends a microcurrent signal to only one session.’ the human body to start the bodies own action potential and release cellular energy. Acupuncture Acupuncture has been practised for ‘I have benefitted greatly with pain thousands of years, originating from relief in my back and stopping of leg China. It works with the energy (or ‘qi’) of spasms. Now working to improve the body which flows through channels or movement in leg. Looking to purchase meridians. It is believed that acupuncture machine to use at home.’ stimulates the nervous system and causes the release of neurochemicals to promote physical and emotional APS Therapy is a safe, effective, drug free wellbeing. treatment for pain relief, which can also enhance recovery or injury repair, and Acupuncture involves the use of very fine improve energy levels (4). It is applied in a sterile needles, which pierce the skin to similar way to a TENS machine but works reach an acupuncture point. They are in a different way. inserted very precisely and connect with the body’s qi. It is not considered painful, Conditions that have been successfully just a small prick to the skin and maybe a treated include muscular pain, nerve pain, dull ache for a few seconds when the neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, point is reached (3). Some people find chronic fatigue, insomnia, headaches (5). they benefit quite quickly, others require more extensive treatment and for some it Aromatherapy may not provide the results they are looking for. This uses powerful, fragrant essential oils with massage to help you feel relaxed or For MS, acupuncture is used to help energised. Essential oils are the essence relieve pain and tension, improve of the plant. They are extracted from movement, sensation and spasticity. It herbs, flowers, shrubs or trees. Each one Helpline: 0800 783 0518 www.ms-uk.org/choicesleaflets is different with its own fragrance and ‘Massage, reflexology and reiki helped therapeutic use. Some oils have anti- me to relax and eased sore muscles.’ inflammatory properties, others bring about a feeling of relaxation and others are stimulating. There are a number of different types of massage, some gentle, others more An aromatherapy massage can help to vigorous. These include: relax the whole body, improve sleep, reduce pain, help with the mobility of joints Therapeutic massage – a and muscle, and provide an improved traditional type of massage. Good sense of wellbeing (6). for relieving aching joints and muscles Chiropractic Manual Lymphatic Drainage – a very gentle massage. Works on the This is a system of gentle manipulation of circulation of the lymph, stimulating the body to treat disorders of the joints, lymphatic drainage ligaments and muscles and their effect on Shiatsu – a very stimulating the nervous system. It is used for back massage where firm pressure is pain, neck pain, headaches, migraine and applied to acupressure points. It sports injuries. In MS, many of the helps with a range of symptoms, musculoskeletal symptoms could be including depression, constipation managed with physical therapy (7). and low vitality Aromatherapy massage – Relaxing Treatment consists of a wide range of massage where essential oils are manipulation techniques designed to used to help give symptomatic improve the function of the joints, relieving relief with sleep, relaxation, joint pain and muscle spasm. mobility and an improved sense of wellbeing Massage There are many other types of massage This is one of the oldest known therapies therapy that may also provide some and has been used for thousands of years symptomatic relief. to help ease stiffness in muscles and joints, relieve pain, improve blood and lymph circulation, and increase wellbeing. ‘Being able to relax relieves muscle It can also be used to stimulate the spasms and spasticity.’ various systems of the body and can also help with posture, ease stress and release tension. It has been found that massage lowers anxiety, reduces pain, promotes relaxation and improves patient wellbeing (8). Helpline: 0800 783 0518 www.ms-uk.org/choicesleaflets Meditation ‘I use mindfulness a lot. You only need This is an ancient practice by which a a small amount of time to switch off person learns to be present in the from everything to help you feel moment, allowing them to become more calmer. I use mindfulness to get to relaxed, and peaceful. It helps to slow the sleep at night.’ mind and be more kind and gentle to yourself. It is seen by researchers to be one of the most effective forms of stress Training helps people to become more reduction and has the potential to improve aware of their thoughts, feelings, and quality of life (9). body sensations so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, they’re better able to manage them. ‘Meditation helps me to relax.’ Practising mindfulness can give more insight into emotions, boost attention and Meditation encourages a gradual release concentration, and improve relationships. of all thoughts and feelings. There are a number of different forms of meditation including transcendental meditation and ‘It won’t do you any harm, give it a try. mindfulness (see below). It might just do some good.’ It provides the individual with a number of health benefits including stress reduction, It is recommended by NICE that health relieving anxiety, depression and also professionals consider mindfulness as a reduction in pain (10). way of treating MS-related fatigue (12). It is also recommended as a preventative Mindfulness practice for people with experience of recurrent depression (13). Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice and according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, If you feel that you may benefit from it is a practice which is very relevant for attending a Mindfulness course, please life today (11). Mindfulness exercises are speak to your GP in the first instance ways of paying attention to the present about a referral. moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing, and yoga. Osteopathy Osteopathy is based on the belief that pain and disability stems from abnormalities in the body’s structure and function. An osteopath recognises and treats problems in the bones, joints, Helpline: 0800 783 0518 www.ms-uk.org/choicesleaflets muscles and ligaments to help the body around 20 sessions, each one lasting an heal naturally. When the body is balanced hour, spread over a month. These are and working efficiently it will function with followed by top-up sessions, which may minimum wear and tear, leaving more vary from once a week to once a month. energy for living. Treatment can involve gentle, manual techniques to help ease It is easy to communicate with the some symptoms of MS.