Complementary therapies 

For people living with MS, treating symptoms is a priority. Symptoms such as tight or stiff muscles, movement problems, pain or fatigue may be reduced through engaging in overall wellness practices or by making use of complementary therapies. Certain therapies might help people feel more in control of their MS or make them feel better overall, reducing stress and helping with relaxation. 

Defining complementary therapies

Complementary therapies can be defined as approaches that may be used alongside standard evidence-based treatments for MS. Complementary therapies are often paid for by individuals and performed by a practitioner in a professional setting, for example a clinic or studio. There is a wide range of therapies on offer. Several complementary therapies may provide relief for some MS symptoms, but others provide no benefit at all, and some can even cause harm. 

There is a lack of evidence for many complementary therapies, especially in relation to MS, because very little research has been conducted. Many studies only include a few people or are not conclusive.  

Therapies that may have some benefit for people with MS

There are many complementary therapies that that might be used by people with MS alongside their clinical care. Some may provide relief for certain MS symptoms experienced by some people, but others provide no benefit at all.  

Learn more about what therapies may have some benefit for people with MS here.  

Therapies that should be avoided by people with MS due to concerns about safety or potential harm 

Some therapies pose safety risks or have the potential to cause harm. These therapies should be avoided by people with MS, including:  

Amalgam removal, Bee venom therapy, Anti-candida therapy, Chelation therapy, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), Enzyme therapy, Experimental drugs and poisons, Fresh cell therapy, Herbal medicine, Hyperbaric oxygenation, Immune augmentation, Intestinal cleansing. 

Weighing up your options about complementary therapies 

Exploring therapies outside of conventional treatment can be way of regaining a sense of control. However, it is important to give any new therapy careful consideration before trying it. There are several things to consider when weighing up your options about complementary therapies. The questions you should ask yourself can be organised into three key areas; cost, safety, and efficacy.  

To help guide this decision-making process, we have adapted information from our members in the United Kingdom and Canada, to develop a Complementary therapies checklist, which you can download here. 

Consulting your healthcare team 

If you’re thinking of trying complementary therapies alongside your MS disease-modifying therapies, consult your qualified healthcare team first.  

If you’re using health insurance, you might want to check whether an approach is covered by your insurance scheme before starting it. 

Managing your MS usually means working with a group of different healthcare specialists. Your qualified healthcare team is likely to include a neurologist, a general practitioner, an MS nurse, rehabilitation specialists (for example, a physiotherapist or occupational therapist), mental health specialists (for example, a psychologist, mental health social worker, or psychiatrist) and a pharmacist. 

Download ‘Wellness practices and complementary therapies in MS’ to learn more about some of the therapies people with MS may consider using alongside their standard treatment.