Conventional medicine has come a long way in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, yet many patients are also using therapies outside the mainstream to help them cope with symptoms of their disease.

In fact, Dr. Melinda Ring, executive director of Chicago’s Northwestern Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, points out that the popularity of non-conventional treatments among MS patients is strong: “Surveys over the past decade show at least 60 percent of the 400,000 MS patients choose some sort of integrative approach along with their standard medications.”

[See: 5 Rare Diseases You’ve Never Heard of (Until Now).]

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Each fiber is surrounded by a layer of protein called myelin, which protects the nerves and helps electrical signals from the brain travel to the rest of the body. In MS, the myelin becomes damaged and disrupts the transfer of these nerve signals, causing a wide range of problems including spasticity, loss of balance, vision problems, pain and fatigue.

That’s where complementary therapies come in. “Non-traditional approaches can further ease some MS symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life,” says Dr. Joseph Guarnaccia, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut. But he cautions: “In the same way not every patient responds well to conventional medications, not every patient responds well to non-traditional treatments. That’s why these approaches need to be individualized and should always be overseen by the patient’s MS specialist.”

Non-Traditional Treatments

With that caveat in mind, here are common non-traditional treatments shown to ease MS symptoms:

Cranberry juice. “There are mixed findings from studies but cranberry juice seems to help reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections,” Ring says. And that’s good news because UTIs are a common complication of MS. In a 2012 survey of 1,261 European MS sufferers published in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence journal, it was reported that 3 in 10 patients experienced urinary tract infections. Adding to its efficacy, the Cochrane Review looked at the relationship of UTIs with cranberry juice and concluded there’s evidence the incidence of the condition decreases with its use. “UTIs develop when bacteria grows in the urine,” Guarnaccia explains. “Cranberry juice makes urine more acidic and therefore less welcoming to bacteria.” Incidentally, he adds, “vitamin C seems to act on bacteria in the same way.”

Acupuncture. “Although acupuncture has been studied and shown to be effective for pain relief, mood stabilizing and muscle tightness among other conditions, there are no significant studies showing that it can specifically benefit MS patients,” Ring reports. That said, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website states: “Acupuncture may provide relief for some MS-related symptoms, including pain, spasticity, numbness and tingling, bladder problems and depression.” If you opt for this treatment, be sure to choose a licensed acupuncturist. You can find a provider listed on the website of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Yoga. Unlike acupuncture, when it comes to yoga there are several studies showing it can help to relieve various MS symptoms. The benefits of yoga are associated with reduced depression, less pain, lower levels of stress and an increase in lung capacity, as well as improved bladder function and increased strength, flexibility and muscle relaxation. It’s also been shown to lower blood pressure.

All these benefits are impressive, but Ring points to yoga’s power to diminish fatigue in MS patients as particularly impressive. “Since fatigue can be one of the most disabling consequences of MS, it’s especially heartening to recommend yoga to people who are dealing with this issue,” she says. Along the same lines, meditation has been shown to relieve fatigue as well as increase cognitive function in MS patients, according to a 2011 study reported in the International Journal of MS Care, while other studies find the Chinese form of moving meditation, tai chi, offers MS patients increased well-being, as well as improved balance, gait, flexibility and leg strength as well as other benefits.

[See: 10 Lessons from Empowered Patients.]

Cannabis. “Cannabis has been shown to help MS patients with pain, headaches, anxiety and sleep disorders,” Guarnaccia says. In one 12-week study, a group of MS patients were randomly given an oral extract of cannabis while the other MS group received a placebo. At the end of the testing period, those who received the cannabis reported a two-fold improvement in body pain, muscle spasms and sleep compared to the group that took the placebo.

Fish oil. A two-year study following 312 people with MS showed fish oil helps to reduce inflammation — a trigger for relapse. The group taking 10 grams of fish oil (which contains omega-3 fatty acids), had less progression of the disease and fewer relapses than those taking the placebo. “I usually recommend 1,000 milligrams a day of good quality fish oil to my MS patients,” Ring says. For vegetarians, she suggests flaxseed oil. “It’s best to take either one during, or right after a meal to avoid any distaste.”

Low-dose naltrexone. “This is a medication commonly used for opiate and alcohol abuse but when given in much lower doses (between 3 to 4 ½ milligrams) it’s been shown to reduce pain and increase mood and cognition in MS patients,” Guarnaccia says. A clinical trial at the University of California–San Francisco, involving 60 MS patients who received low-dose naltrexone found that the overall well-being of the participants improved especially around issues of cognitive function, mood, fatigue, bowel and bladder control, sexual satisfaction and visual function. “But such low doses of naltrexone have to be specially made by a compound pharmacy,” Guarnaccia says.

[See: 10 Ways to Live Healthier and Save Money Doing It.]

Caution

Not every non-traditional treatment works, and it may even be harmful if it interacts negatively with prescription medication. “Be wary when you see phrases like ‘cure all,’ ‘completely safe,’ ‘100 percent natural’ and ‘no side effects,'” Guarnaccia warns. “Also, be aware that herbal and dietary supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as food (rather than drugs), which means they don’t have to meet the same standards as OTC meds or prescription drugs.”

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What Non-Traditional Treatments Show Promise for MS? originally appeared on usnews.com