Alternative Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating neurological disease that slowly destroys the central nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. Nerves are slowly worn away leading to pain and numbness in several parts of the body.

There is no known cure of multiple sclerosis, but many therapies exist for treatment. Conventional treatments include substances called interferons that inhibit the progress of the disease in the nerve tissue. Complementary therapies in addition to conventional ones can be used to help lessen the symptoms and make patients feel better and live better with the disease.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx

When a disease strikes that hurts muscles and destroys the body's shape, it is important to keep muscles in shape and toned. Yoga is a great way not only to get exercise, but to keep the nervous system functioning to the muscles in the back and rest of the body.

A study conducted in Portland, Oregon, concluded that six months of yoga reduces fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients but had no effect on alertness and cognitive function. Yoga improves the quality of life MS patients, the report on 69 patients concluded.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040610074705.htm

A change in your diet may help reduce pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Diets high in protein and anti-inflammatory nuts may help muscles deal with the added stress of nerve breakdowns. Two diets have come into focus after studies had been done on what foods work best for MS patients.

The Swank diet includes eating ocean fish, cod liver oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lots of water. Eliminate hydrogenated oils (butter and margarine) and lessen your saturated fat intake. The Modified MacDougall diet is for anti-inflammatory use and suggests eating only cold-water fish as your source of animal protein, followed with fresh fruits and vegetables, non-glutinous grains, and lots of water. Eliminate all processed sugars and processed foods.

http://www.neurologychannel.com/multiplesclerosis/swank-diet-macdougall-diet.shtml

Acupuncture can help increase the flow of peptides and endorphins between the brain and other parts of the nervous system to help relieve symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. A survey in British Columbia with 566 MS patients showed that acupuncture was the most common complementary therapy used to combat the effects of the disease with good improvement of the quality of life.

http://www.healingtherapies.info/acupuncture&MS.htm

Chiropractic care has been used to help treat Multiple Sclerosis for decades, and surveys of chiropractic patients and different studies have shown that a chiropractor can help relieve symptoms in MS patients. Talk to your chiropractor about what can be done for you to relieve stress up and down your spinal column.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/09/10/4689.aspx

http://www.chiro.org/research/ABSTRACTS/Multiple_Sclerosis.shtml

Getting a massage can greatly reduce stress involved with any situation. Though massage has not been shown to reduce the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, it has been used to relieve stress and tension in sufferers. Stress has been known to exacerbate symptoms of MS and massage is just one way to help reduce side effects of pressure and tension.

Consult with your local licensed massage therapist about which types of massage will be right for a Multiple Sclerosis patient.

http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/multiple-sclerosis-alternative-therapies

http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?id=729

http://www.neurologychannel.com/multiplesclerosis/naturalmedicine.shtml

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as actual medical advice. As always, consult your licensed physician before starting any therapy and treatment for Multiple Sclerosis.