What works?

CAMs is an area that’s poorly researched, often because these therapies are rarely suited to traditional research techniques. There isn’t much evidence to show how effective or safe medicines are.

Many studies only include a few people, or aren’t conclusive. If a therapy is found definitively to work, it might no longer be known as complementary or alternative, and join mainstream medicine as a proven treatment.

However, many people who use CAMs say that they make them feel better, so it’s often a case of weighing up things like:

• cost – bearing in mind how you’ll feel if the therapy is very expensive and doesn’t make a difference
• how effective the treatment is (efficacy)
• is it likely to make you feel better
• safety – could it make your MS worse or interact with other medications

The NICE guideline also has some information on CAMs.

Cost

Watch out for products that make big promises, cost a lot, say they are scientifically proven or can 'cure MS'. Paying for these treatments or therapies can be a waste of money and leave you disappointed, or perhaps even make things worse.

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Efficacy

Because there probably won’t be clear cut evidence available about the treatment, there may be other things to consider. It might be that, for you, a treatment makes you feel more in control of your MS, makes the effects of MS seem less or make you feel better overall – add to your sense of wellbeing, reduce stress and help you relax. These things are important if other treatments aren’t available or don’t seem to be working.

Think about the source of information - just because someone says something is effective doesn't mean it is. Loads of information is easily accessible on the internet, but it’s often of questionable quality. Anyone can publish a website, without needing to supply names, qualifications or sources, let alone whether the information is based on scientific research.

Anecdotal evidence (what other people say) is obviously solely based on their own individual experience. If you only know them online, it’s hard to be sure they’re reliable or impartial. Find out more about why scientific evidence is important.

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Safety

Your doctor can advise you of any risks. Do your research on how that particular therapy is regulated - most complementary therapy practitioners are not regulated, with the exception of osteopathy and chiropractic, both of which have strong regulatory bodies that have been established by law.

It’s ultimately up to an individual to manage their MS in the way they want to, but of course it’s worth bearing safety, cost and efficacy in mind at all times.

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The NICE guideline

The NICE guideline says that there is some evidence that the following may be helpful for people with MS in terms of their general sense of well-being. However, it goes on to say there isn’t enough evidence to give firm recommendations:

• reflexology
• massage
• t'ai chi
• magnetic field therapy
• neural therapy
• fish oils
• combination of some forms of complementary therapy (known as ‘multi-modal therapy')

For more information on all of these types of therapy, download the MS Society publication Complementary and Alternative Therapies.

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