Alternative Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis

Reducing Symptoms with Complementary Therapies

Apr 5, 2009

As many as 50 percent of patients with multiple sclerosis are reported to use alternative and complementary medicine.

Studies show that, among multiple sclerosis patients, females with higher levels of education are most likely to seek out complementary and alternative therapies. These patients report that their dissatisfaction with conventional medicine leads to their seeking out alternative medicine, which they often use in conjunction with conventional treatments.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurological disorder that targets the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. In multiple sclerosis, changes to the immune system lead to the destruction of myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds nerve fibers and aids in the transmission of electrical impulses. Over time, the loss of myelin leads to scar tissue or sclerosis in the form of plaques or lesions that are responsible for symptoms.

Common symptoms in MS include: bladder & bowel dysfunction, dizziness and vertigo; cognitive changes impairing attention and problem solving; fatigue; loss of bladder control; mood disturbances; balance and gait disturbances; and difficulty in walking; numbness or “pins and needles,” sensations of pain; and vision problems. Rare symptoms include: headaches, hearing loss, itching, seizures, spasticity, tremors, and speech and swallowing disorders.

Complementary Medicine in MS

According to theories of naturopathic medicine, multiple sclerosis is caused by an imbalance having emotional, physical, and occasionally spiritual aspects. Common alternative therapies for MS include reflexology, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, dietary interventions and acupuncture. While some practitioners consider low dose naltrexone (LDN) an alternative therapy, LDN is an off-label conventional therapy.

Dietary Interventions

Nearly 50 years ago, the physician Roy Swank showed that patients with MS frequently have elevated lipid levels. Dr. Swank successfully used a low fat diet (the Swank Diet) in patients with MS that he followed for more than 35 years. Today, many naturopathic physicians use the Swank Diet to treat MS. Studies show that patients following this diet generally see improvement within 4-6 weeks.

Multiple sclerosis is also characterized by a number of different nutrient deficiencies. Dietary supplements, particularly omega-3 oils and antioxidant vitamins, play a major role in reducing symptoms in MS.

Reflexology

Although the science of reflexology dates back to ancient Egypt, modern studies in reflexology date back to 1917 Europe. Reflexology is based on the theory that the feet, hands, and ears have cellular components or reflex points corresponding to each organ, gland and body part. It’s thought that by stimulating these “points” with a thumb and finger pressure, the corresponding organs are stimulated, oxygenated, and balanced. Several studies listed in the Sources showed that reflexology causes a significant improvement in symptoms.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy treatments include hot tubs, saunas, cold and hot packs and other treatments that rely on water. Hydrotherapy has long proven effective in reducing symptoms in MS. However, its popularity began to wane in the 1950s with the introduction of new pharmaceutical aids.

Hydrotherapy works primarily by increasing oxygenation in the blood. Because of the higher lipid levels and reduced circulation seen in patients with MS, less oxygen is delivered to the tissues. In addition, hydrotherapy increases the white blood cell count, which facilitates healing and promotes repair of damaged tissues.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used to correct blockages in the body’s energy fields. Acupuncture is thought to ameliorate symptoms in MS by increasing production of endorphins and peptides, which modulate the immune system and facilitate the communication of sensory information between the brain and body.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the premise that like treats like. Homeopathic preparations of extremely dilute remedies are used to treat specific symptoms. Preparations used in MS include Natrum muriaticum, which is also effective in autoimmune thyroid disorders, phosphorus, and selenium. However, naturopaths emphasize that no two patients with multiple sclerosis are alike. Individual differences dictate the most effective homeopathic remedies.

Sources:

The copyright of the article Alternative Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis in Autoimmune Disease is owned by Elaine Moore. Permission to republish Alternative Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Apr 6, 2009 4:22 AM

Guest :

Thanks for including my paper in your article. MS and Reflexology was my first specialty and my first big case study found the sensations returned to her feet after three sessions. It was even more amazing when her regularly scheduled brain CT scan discovered some of the lesions had shrunk from the scan the year before.

Amy Kreydin
author Reflexology in Multiple Sclerosis