"The best piece of advice that I've received to manage my MS is to take care of myself."
Alternative Therapies
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Complementary and alternative therapies include everything from exercise and diet to food supplements, stress management strategies, and lifestyle changes.
One example of a complementary activity is yoga. Yoga is suitable for all fitness levels. It combines body and mind conditioning. Yoga can build strength and endurance as well as improve breathing and mental attitude. It increases flexibility and strength while helping to eliminate stress. Many people with muscle tightness or decreased range of motion find yoga practice brings noticeable improvement. Because yoga is relaxing and noncompetitive, it is especially recommended for people with MS.
Other examples of complementary therapies include:
- Hypnosis
- Guided imagery
- Relaxation techniques
- Traditional herbal healing
- Chinese medicine
- Macrobiotics
- Naturopathy
Keep in mind that no complementary or nutritional/dietary therapy has been shown to change the course of MS. Always speak with your health care provider before trying any complementary or alternative therapy.
Risks of alternative therapy
Alternative therapies are certain therapies used instead of conventional medicine. Alternative medicine includes everything from drugs and diet to food supplements, mental exercises, and lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, there are no "miracle cures" for MS, no matter how much we'd like to think so.
Most people have little or no idea of the risks they are taking when they use an alternative therapy. They try alternative medicine because they believe that anything sold without a prescription is harmless. But these therapies are not regulated in the United States the same way as prescription medications. So the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not determined whether they are safe or effective, or even accurately labeled. There is little published to prove the claims of these therapies.
If you are interested in trying an alternative therapy, it's best to speak with your health care provider. It's important that he or she know all the therapies you are taking or considering. He or she also can inform you of any possible side effects or drug interactions. If you are thinking about stopping your medicine, call your health care provider's office.
Health/Wellness Resources
The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis
The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis believes people should be empowered to lead healthy, productive lives even with an incurable disease like multiple sclerosis (MS). Our innovative and world-renowned programs provide leading-edge education, skills, and motivation to help people with MS and their families achieve this goal.
The Heuga Center's mission is to lead the way with comprehensive programs that empower people and families living with multiple sclerosis to transform and improve their quality of life. Our health and wellness programs include five-day CAN DO®, two-day CAN DO 2® and one-day JUMPSTART®.
Adventures Within
Outdoor recreational activities for people with MS.Myelin Repair Foundation
The goal: speeding the time it takes to discover, develop and deliver treatments to MS patients.You CAN!
In collaboration with the NMSS, the Heuga Center has developed the You CAN! page of the NMSS Web site. The site provides information about how to live a full and productive life with MS.
