.webp){kind=logo}
The Fimo Health
Health blog
Complementary treatment methods for MS
There are currently around 280,000 people with multiple sclerosis living in Germany. MS — a disease that we are currently unable to cure. However, thanks to extensive research, there is a wide range of drugs that delay the progression of multiple sclerosis and reduce the burden of symptoms. Nevertheless, some people are limited in their everyday lives, whether due to symptoms that cannot or cannot be adequately treated, or side effects of the medications. It is therefore hardly surprising that they resort to complementary therapy methods in their time of need. Various studies show that 60-70% MS patients use such procedures and methods. Perhaps you have already gained some experience in this area.
Such complementary or alternative therapy is the term used to describe unconventional methods that differ from western conventional medical treatment. Those who regularly use complementary therapies report that it sustainably improves their wellbeing. This positive effect However, in the majority of these therapies, not scientifically proven. The problem is that, in addition to this only presumed positive effect, some therapies also entail serious risks. Individual methods can endanger your health and worsen multiple sclerosis. This is compounded by the fact that most users do not talk to their treating doctors about these additional forms of therapy. As a result, your treating doctor may be unable to recognize interactions between therapies. And while the expensive drug therapy is covered by health insurance, patients must pay for this complementary treatment themselves. There is therefore also a financial risk. A German study shows that those affected spend around 1,000 euros a year on complementary treatments.
Today, we want to present some of the most common therapeutic methods and, in particular, to possible Dangers and risks point out.
homeopathy
Homeopathy is a widely used healing method. The basis of homeopathy is the hypothesis that a highly diluted drug can cure exactly the symptoms that it itself causes in increased doses. Those affected by MS specialist homeopathy report relief of neurological symptoms, bladder and bowel movement problems and an improvement in their general condition. This positive effect of this treatment has not yet been proven in numerous studies. Homeopathy is therefore highly controversial scientifically.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a holistic Indian healing technique. It is a combination of yoga, external treatments (e.g. massages) and a internal Therapy, consisting of diet, spices and medicinal herbs. While both yoga and external treatments can have a relaxing effect, internal therapy can pose a serious risk. There are reports of the harmful effects of Ayurvedic herbal medicines and poisoning caused by contaminated drugs. So you should be particularly alert here.
acupuncture and acupressure
In acupuncture, needles are placed in specific points on the body. During acupressure, on the other hand, therapists apply pressure with their fingers on defined points on the body. This is intended to release neurohormones and opioids. In MS, this is intended to slow down or reverse the progression of the disease. Although both methods have become increasingly important in recent years, their effectiveness has not yet been scientifically proven. Nevertheless, a therapy attempt can also be useful for you in order to to relieve pain and muscle cramps. Experts also suspect that acupuncture can have a positive effect on fatigue in MS.
Frankincense (Boswellia)
Frankincense is an Indian natural medicine. It is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect due to the boswellic acids it contains. It is intended to counteract cognitive limitations, but this has also not been proven in studies. Be particularly careful with over-the-counter drugs. The frankincense extract can cause gastrointestinal problems and allergic reactions.
sustenance
It is now generally known that malnutrition or overnutrition and irregular eating can be harmful to health. Especially in MS, this can promote an unfavorable course of the disease. Some foods and supplements are being discussed as having a potential positive effect on MS. Experts suspect that Asian plants ginseng and gingko have a positive effect on the disease. Linolenic acid, which is mainly found in linseeds or rapeseed, or flavonoids, which give various foods their color (e.g. blueberries), are also discussed in this context. Just like the commonly known foods turmeric, cinnamon or cranberries. You can easily incorporate some of these foods into your diet in doses without major financial or health risk. It then becomes problematic with the sometimes very expensive dietary supplements, which advertise tempting effects, but which have not yet been proven. This means that even in this field there are currently still many uncertainties and financial risks. If you would like to learn more about nutrition and its effect on MS, have a look at our blog article on the topic Anti-inflammatory diet for MS past. You will also find numerous delicious and healthy recipes on our blog
yoga
Yoga is now more than just a sports trend. Yoga combines meditation and conscious breathing with movement or posture. Studies show that yoga Fatigue for MS patients soothe Can. In addition, yoga improves your Mobility, coordination and general wellbeingn. You can find out more about mediation in our blog article.
Ineffective and dangerous therapies
Having looked at a number of treatment methods so far that are in constant discourse as to whether they could be helpful for MS, we would now like to point out therapies that are proven to be ineffective or even harmful are.
Enzyme combinations are sold as tablets or capsules at impressive prices. A controlled study has now been able to show that taking such drugs does not have a positive effect on MS. One example is the frequently used Coenzyme Q10.
The same applies to so-called oxygen overpressure therapy (hyperbaric oxygen). It was assumed that inhaling oxygen under excess pressure could stop the progression of MS. Numerous studies have been able to refute this in recent years.
Another assumption is that there is a connection between the incidence of amalgam dental fillings and MS. Amalgam removal should remedy this. Case-control studies have not been able to prove this link.
A majority of the therapies mentioned so far have no proven effect, yet most have no or minor side effects. On the other hand, the following therapies bring serious dangers with yourself.
- Immune augmentation (drugs should strengthen the immune response): risk of infection and allergy up to worsening of MS
- Pork brain implantation in the abdominal wall: risk of infection up to worsening of MS and deaths
- Fresh cell therapy (cell sponges from calves and lambs are injected): risk of infection and allergy up to circulatory failure
- Poison therapy (bee, snake, sea anemone venom): risk of severe allergies up to circulatory failure
- Intrathecal stem cell therapy (your own stem cells are injected into the spinal cord canal): Serious side effects including death
conclusion
When treating multiple sclerosis, it's worth looking outside the box — but only with particularly watchful eyes. There are some therapeutic measures that are known as Supplement to conventional medical therapy is useful appear. For example, acupuncture, yoga and even nutrition are increasingly becoming the focus of MS therapy. And even though here the Evidence is not yet sufficient For an official recommendation, an attempt may be useful. However, this does not apply to all measures. Because some have a high financial risk And especially a health risk. Therefore, you should start any form of therapy that you start on your own, even just a “medicinal herbal tea”, with your Discuss with your doctor.