Aa
Complimentary Therapies
Do any of you use complimentary therapies in addition to the drug regimen you might be on?
I'm wondering about yoga, massage, biofeedback, accupuncture .... any of those things that make you feel better . I would like to hear about your experiences, even if it is negative.
Be well, Lulu
I'm wondering about yoga, massage, biofeedback, accupuncture .... any of those things that make you feel better . I would like to hear about your experiences, even if it is negative.
Be well, Lulu
I meditate. It works well for my clarity of mind when I don't fall asleep which is always a danger when I sit still.
I would recommend caution for any of the supplements that boost immunity and there are several of these. The official MS position on these is that they may also stimulate the immune activity in MS. I have a fairly good list of these around here if anyone is interested.
quizzzzzzzzz
I would recommend caution for any of the supplements that boost immunity and there are several of these. The official MS position on these is that they may also stimulate the immune activity in MS. I have a fairly good list of these around here if anyone is interested.
quizzzzzzzzz
I have been doing acupuncture for 2 years now and it has helped with numbness, tingling, energy levels, and bladder issues. I also take vitamins and herbal supplements along with Tysabri once a month.
I have also tried PowerPlate and nuero muscular stimulation for strength, balance, and and foot drop
Hope this helps
I have also tried PowerPlate and nuero muscular stimulation for strength, balance, and and foot drop
Hope this helps
Ok, here is what Craig has tried.
Acupuncture......did not work and made his symptoms worse.
Reflexology....worked for a long time for Craig but eventually his foot pain got pretty severe and the reflexology made it worse.
LDN....worked for awhile but he realized it made his spasticity worse. However, it had greatly increased his energy and made him feel good. He is now back to taking 3 mg every night to see what happens again to the leg tightness. He was so used to having lots of energy, and when he did not take LDN, his energy plummeted and he hates that. So he is back to trying the LDN.
Vitamin D3----20,000 units a day.
Acetyl L Carnitine 500 mg a day for fatigue.
Alpha Lipoic acid for fatigue
Ginseng. Rhodiola. They are both adaptogens which help to balance the immune system.
Acai Berry juice....very high in anti-oxidants.
He takes about 30 supplements a day (many are taken a few times a day so not 30 different supplements). He really believes that they help him.
A word of caution about Melatonin. Even Life Extension, which is all alternative medicine physicians, believes you should exercise caution in taking Melatonin if you have an autoimmune disease. It stimulates the immune system and not enough studies have been done on it for even them to recommend it and they issue a caution on their ads for Melatonin. It is a "natural" substance, but it may not be good for those with autoimmune diseases.
Elaine
Acupuncture......did not work and made his symptoms worse.
Reflexology....worked for a long time for Craig but eventually his foot pain got pretty severe and the reflexology made it worse.
LDN....worked for awhile but he realized it made his spasticity worse. However, it had greatly increased his energy and made him feel good. He is now back to taking 3 mg every night to see what happens again to the leg tightness. He was so used to having lots of energy, and when he did not take LDN, his energy plummeted and he hates that. So he is back to trying the LDN.
Vitamin D3----20,000 units a day.
Acetyl L Carnitine 500 mg a day for fatigue.
Alpha Lipoic acid for fatigue
Ginseng. Rhodiola. They are both adaptogens which help to balance the immune system.
Acai Berry juice....very high in anti-oxidants.
He takes about 30 supplements a day (many are taken a few times a day so not 30 different supplements). He really believes that they help him.
A word of caution about Melatonin. Even Life Extension, which is all alternative medicine physicians, believes you should exercise caution in taking Melatonin if you have an autoimmune disease. It stimulates the immune system and not enough studies have been done on it for even them to recommend it and they issue a caution on their ads for Melatonin. It is a "natural" substance, but it may not be good for those with autoimmune diseases.
Elaine
Thanks! that was very helpful in making me feel better for today. Can you do that everyday for the whole bunch of us? - Lulu
Two or three years back, in the midst of my limbo period when MS wasn't on my radar screen, I tried acupuncture for the neck and jaw pain I was having. I had 6 sessions, but sad to say they didn't work for me. That doesn't mean acupuncture wouldn't help you, of course.
At least I learned a great deal about how the ancient Chinese methods are being combined with modern science to provide great results in some patients. My acupuncturist is also a dentist, on a well-respected dental school faculty, and he was extremely kind and knowledgeable.
Since acupuncture is now being covered by a great many health insurance plans, I guess that's one gauge of how well it's been accepted by mainstream medicine. And it certainly will do no harm.
If any of our members or readers has been helped by acupuncture for MS symptoms, I would sure like to hear about it.
Many thanks,
ess
At least I learned a great deal about how the ancient Chinese methods are being combined with modern science to provide great results in some patients. My acupuncturist is also a dentist, on a well-respected dental school faculty, and he was extremely kind and knowledgeable.
Since acupuncture is now being covered by a great many health insurance plans, I guess that's one gauge of how well it's been accepted by mainstream medicine. And it certainly will do no harm.
If any of our members or readers has been helped by acupuncture for MS symptoms, I would sure like to hear about it.
Many thanks,
ess
I found a flier at the neurology clinic last week, for "Gentle Yoga for people with M.S.". I meant to call, but have been kind of chicken since I don't have a diagnosis. The cost of it is on a sliding scale, and I could afford the lower end of the scale. It started October 4, so I'm thinking to see when their next session will be, so I don't miss any classes and can plan in advance.
I'm setting myself a goal of calling and talking to the instructor to see when the next session will be, if I can come without a diagnosis, and if my back issues would be a problem.
I do some breathing meditation, which really helps with relaxation and reducing pain. I also plan on doing more, as I have CDs to help the process, but they're sitting on the table downstairs; don't do much good there!
Farrah, it is so good to see you again!
Kathy
I'm setting myself a goal of calling and talking to the instructor to see when the next session will be, if I can come without a diagnosis, and if my back issues would be a problem.
I do some breathing meditation, which really helps with relaxation and reducing pain. I also plan on doing more, as I have CDs to help the process, but they're sitting on the table downstairs; don't do much good there!
Farrah, it is so good to see you again!
Kathy
i know i always have to get ready for the usual rotten tomatoes some fellow forum-ers throw at me every time i mention it, but hell, it's making my hair shiny and bouncy, so go ahead, and after Halloween, you can throw me your rotten pumpkins...
Anyways, I have been kinda diagnosed since March and full on dx since August ( i believe? cognitive issues, heheh). I have gone all Amy Winehouse on the usual therapy (no, no, no!) and have threaten to chop heads to whoever tries to stick a needle up my arm with Beta Interferons or take Prednisone, whatever. I also suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis and probably early stages of dementia, thanks to my obese cats and crazy weenie dogs..... But, i swear by BioMeds, Bach Flowers and all sorts of natural stuff. Trust me, i don't drive a VW van with an ole peace sign on the side, i'm totally anti "feeeeeellll the loooooveee, let your body flowwwwwww" ugh. I tried the Magnets and i'm sorry, i laughed at the stupid stuff the "threapist" kept on saying, so i got kicked out... heheh, but you know what? even tho i am on a couple of meds (Lyrica and Tramadol in very low doses) i swear by the 5-HTP, the Melatonin and my ABLounge, yeah! it rocks! keeps my abs in shape and you can turn it almost upside down and it feels great on the back and rest of the body. I still get the pain on my legs, but i massage them with Biotherm's Happy Legs lotion and they feel happy! i also massage my nasty feetses (nah, they're soft as a beh-beh behind) with any nice smelling lotion. I have had little tiny flare ups, but i don't go knocking people out with the jerking i used to have and i can walk better and even changed my big pink cane for a Dr House awesome purple cane, for emergencies only.
Ok, too long a reply, but i need to point out these things work for ME. I'm not saying it's the best for everyone, but i have a good advice, and this is, i guess my secret weapon: I always make fun of myself, and pray, pray, pray.... then i get a chance to see someone that's in worst condition than myself and i can't help but thank the good L-ord for being so blessed.
Love to all!
xoxox
Farrah
Anyways, I have been kinda diagnosed since March and full on dx since August ( i believe? cognitive issues, heheh). I have gone all Amy Winehouse on the usual therapy (no, no, no!) and have threaten to chop heads to whoever tries to stick a needle up my arm with Beta Interferons or take Prednisone, whatever. I also suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis and probably early stages of dementia, thanks to my obese cats and crazy weenie dogs..... But, i swear by BioMeds, Bach Flowers and all sorts of natural stuff. Trust me, i don't drive a VW van with an ole peace sign on the side, i'm totally anti "feeeeeellll the loooooveee, let your body flowwwwwww" ugh. I tried the Magnets and i'm sorry, i laughed at the stupid stuff the "threapist" kept on saying, so i got kicked out... heheh, but you know what? even tho i am on a couple of meds (Lyrica and Tramadol in very low doses) i swear by the 5-HTP, the Melatonin and my ABLounge, yeah! it rocks! keeps my abs in shape and you can turn it almost upside down and it feels great on the back and rest of the body. I still get the pain on my legs, but i massage them with Biotherm's Happy Legs lotion and they feel happy! i also massage my nasty feetses (nah, they're soft as a beh-beh behind) with any nice smelling lotion. I have had little tiny flare ups, but i don't go knocking people out with the jerking i used to have and i can walk better and even changed my big pink cane for a Dr House awesome purple cane, for emergencies only.
Ok, too long a reply, but i need to point out these things work for ME. I'm not saying it's the best for everyone, but i have a good advice, and this is, i guess my secret weapon: I always make fun of myself, and pray, pray, pray.... then i get a chance to see someone that's in worst condition than myself and i can't help but thank the good L-ord for being so blessed.
Love to all!
xoxox
Farrah
I'm thinking about picking up drinking, heavily.
What? You said negative!
Seriously though, I tried the yoga. It was tough for me to relax during the time I was attending. It was during a time that I normally have to try to get a 2nd wind for dinner, house chores, etc. So, it didn't do what it could have.
I sit or lay on the floor now and just stretch. If I can't get down there, I do it on the couch or bed. I try to keep my muscles stretched because it makes them feel better because they are usually stiff and feel so weak.
Looking forward to hearing of others that are helpful - good topic!
-Shell
What? You said negative!
Seriously though, I tried the yoga. It was tough for me to relax during the time I was attending. It was during a time that I normally have to try to get a 2nd wind for dinner, house chores, etc. So, it didn't do what it could have.
I sit or lay on the floor now and just stretch. If I can't get down there, I do it on the couch or bed. I try to keep my muscles stretched because it makes them feel better because they are usually stiff and feel so weak.
Looking forward to hearing of others that are helpful - good topic!
-Shell
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
