Integrative therapies for multiple sclerosis

People afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) commonly seek out complementary and alternative treatments in addition to their conventional therapy. The integration of both types of treatment is a very promising strategy and is the one that requires further study. While the cause of MS has yet to be fully elucidated, the most compelling theories engage many variable possible risk factors and etiologies for MS. These include diet, genetics, geography, autoimmunity, and viral infection. With this multifactorial picture, it behooves us as clinicians to consider all possible useful treatments for MS patients. As patients are already looking outside of what conventional medicine offers, familiarizing ourselves with what has been studied for MS only will help us provide more complete and thorough care of our patients. This chapter includes those therapies, for which some research on areas such as diet and supplements, as well as healing modalities, that have been of benefit to patients but do not have evidence-based research to support their use. Many alternative therapies are very useful as adjuncts to conventional care and can offer stress reduction, mind– body connection, and physical relief from pain and symptoms.