Many people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) use complementary and other therapies. These can be in addition or complementary to conventional treatments including disease-modifying therapies. They are generally used to create an overall sense of wellbeing.
It is estimated that around 70 per cent of people with MS have used a form of complementary or other therapy to treat their symptoms. The results of a recent survey by MS-UK showed the most common therapies tried by people with MS are acupuncture and yoga.
A qualified complementary therapist will aim to treat the whole person and not just the symptoms. Each person is treated as an individual and any treatment is tailored to the specific needs of that person.
One of the main advantages of using these treatments is that it puts you in charge of decisions around your own health. It is important to be able to do something positive to help yourself.
Research is limited in evaluating the safety and effectiveness of complementary therapies in MS. This is because the nature of complementary therapies mean that it is difficult to conduct a ‘double-blind’ trial – a research method used in the scientific community to prove the safety and effectiveness of a medicine or treatment, where some of the people enrolled in the trial receive the real treatment, and some receive a placebo.
Many people receiving complementary therapies report that they find them beneficial. If you are considering trying a complementary therapy, it is important to find a reputable therapist who is fully insured and a member of a professional body. You can contact the complementary therapy’s organising body to find a therapist near you. See further information for details of how to find a practitioner in your area. Before booking any treatment please remember to check the cost of the treatment you choose, particularly if there is more than one session required.
All practitioners should be fully aware of any potential contradications and will advise of these if relevant.
Some of the more commonly used therapies amongst people with MS are reflexology, massage, yoga, relaxation, meditation, aromatherapy, and acupuncture.
Over the following pages, we have listed a number of popular therapies with more information about what they are and how they may help. This is not an exhaustive list and there may be other therapies that you are interested in. If the therapy you are interested in is not mentioned please contact MS-UK and we will find out more for you.
Acupuncture has been practised for thousands of years, originating from China. It works with the energy (or ‘qi’) of the body which flows through channels or meridians. It is believed that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system and causes the release of neurochemicals to promote physical and emotional wellbeing.
Acupuncture involves the use of very fine sterile needles, which pierce the skin to reach an acupuncture point. They are inserted very precisely and connect with the body’s qi. It is not considered painful, just a small prick to the skin and maybe a dull ache for a few seconds when the point is reached. Some people find they benefit quite quickly, others require more extensive treatment and for some it may not provide the results they are looking for.
For MS, acupuncture is most commonly used to help relieve pain and tension, improve movement, sensation and spasticity. It may help eye problems and bladder urgency. It may also help to reduce fatigue, and increase energy levels.
APS stands for Action Potential Simulation. It helps to stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms. The APS machine sends a microcurrent signal to the human body to start the body’s own action potential and release cellular energy.
APS Therapy is a safe, effective, drug free treatment for pain relief, which can also enhance recovery or injury repair, and improve energy levels. It is applied in a similar way to a TENS machine but works in a different way.
Conditions that have been successfully treated include muscular pain, nerve pain, neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, chronic fatigue, insomnia and headaches.
This uses powerful, fragrant essential oils with massage to help you feel relaxed or energised. Essential oils are the essence of the plant. They are extracted from herbs, flowers, shrubs or trees. Each one is different with its own fragrance and therapeutic use. Some oils have anti-inflammatory properties, others bring about a feeling of relaxation and others are stimulating.
An aromatherapy massage can help to relax the whole body, improve sleep, reduce pain, help with the mobility of joints and muscles, and provide an improved sense of wellbeing.
This is a system of gentle manipulation of the body to treat disorders of the joints, ligaments and muscles and their effect on the nervous system. It is used for back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraine and sports injuries. In MS, many of the musculoskeletal symptoms could be managed with physical therapy.
Treatment consists of a wide range of manipulation techniques designed to improve the function of the joints, relieving pain and muscle spasm.
This is one of the oldest known therapies and has been used for thousands of years to help ease stiffness in muscles and joints, relieve pain, improve blood and lymph circulation, and increase wellbeing. It can also be used to stimulate the 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.
There are a number of different types of massage, some gentle, others more vigorous. These include
There are many other types of massage therapy that may also provide some symptomatic relief.
This is an ancient practice by which a person learns to be present in the moment, allowing them to become more relaxed, and peaceful. It helps to slow the mind and be more kind and gentle to yourself. It is seen by researchers to be one of the most effective forms of stress reduction and has been shown to relieve biological markers of stress.
Meditation encourages a gradual release of all thoughts and feelings. There are a number of different forms of meditation including transcendental meditation and mindfulness.
It provides the individual with a number of health benefits including stress reduction, relieving anxiety, depression and also reduction in pain (A. Bowling. Complementary and alternative medicine and Multiple Sclerosis second edition. Demos. New York. 2007. Accessed November 2020).
Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice and according to Jon Kabat-Zinn, it is a practice which is very relevant for life today (on Kabat-Zinn. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness meditation for everyday life. Piatkus. London. 1994. Accessed November 2020).
Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing and yoga.
Training helps people to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and body sensations so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, they’re better able to manage them.
Practising mindfulness can give more insight into emotions, boost attention and concentration, and improve relationships.
It is recommended by NICE that health professionals consider mindfulness as a way of treating MS-related fatigue. It is also recommended as a preventative practice for people with experience of recurrent depression.
If you feel that you may benefit from attending a mindfulness course, please speak to your GP in the first instance about a referral.
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, muscles and ligaments to help the body heal naturally. When the body is balanced and working efficiently it will function with minimum wear and tear, leaving more energy for living. Treatment can involve gentle, manual techniques to help ease some symptoms of MS.
A small scale study saw improvements in fatigue and depression, and an increase in quality of life following osteopathic manipulative therapy.
Oxygen Therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen through a mask whilst inside a pressurised metal chamber similar to that used in diving. The chamber is a sealed unit, usually large enough to seat six to eight people. Over the course of an hour, it is filled with a higher concentration of oxygen than normal air under pressure. As you breathe, the oxygen saturates your blood and tissues.
Anecdotally improvements have been experienced with fatigue levels and bladder symptoms. Although there is a lack of research supporting the effectiveness of oxygen therapy, one study suggests treatment is better in patients with less advanced disease.
Oxygen therapy is available in many MS Therapy Centres. Treatment requires regular attendance at the Centre – usually three to four times per week initially. A treatment plan may consist of a course of around 20 sessions, each one lasting an hour, spread over a month. These are followed by top-up sessions, which may vary from once a week to once a month.
It is easy to communicate with the operator at any time. All operators should be skilled and fully trained.
To find your nearest MS Therapy Centre offering oxygen therapy, please see our Choices booklet ‘MS Therapy Centres’ or contact the MS-UK office.
Reflexology is a complementary therapy that works most commonly on the feet, but also on the hands, face or ears. The aim of the treatment is to encourage the body to restore its natural balance. Gentle pressure is applied to specific reflex points and by working on these points, imbalances or blockages can be released which helps to restore the free flow of energy around the body. This helps to increase energy and balance the immune system. It may also help to ease tension and improve circulation. Reflexologists should not diagnose or claim to cure, but some symptoms may be relieved through regular treatments.
Reflexology is an enjoyable, relaxing treatment. For people with MS, it can help reduce bladder issues and help alleviate motor and sensory disturbances.
Yoga originates from India and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. The main components of the practice involve postures and breathing. Some studies suggest that yoga is helpful to reduce aches and pains and lower back pain. It can also increase physical activity, especially strength, flexibility and balance.
Yoga has been shown to help reduce MS related fatigue and may also help to improve depression, anxiety, pain and spasticity (A. Bowling. Complementary and alternative medicine and Multiple Sclerosis second edition. Demos. New York. 2007. Accessed November 2020).
Acupuncture The British Acupuncture Council
APS Therapy Painfree Potential
Aromatherapy Federation of Holistic Therapists
Chiropractic British Chiropractic Association
Massage Federation of Holistic Therapists
Meditation British Meditation Society
Mindfulness British Association for Mindfulness-based Approaches
Osteopathy General Osteopathic Council
Oxygen Therapy
Neuro Therapy Network
Reflexology Association of Reflexologists
Yoga The British Wheel of Yoga
