How to bring together healthcare, self care and complementary therapies for your MS

Holistic care supports a person as a whole – not just the symptoms, disease activity or progression of MS. It looks at how the body and brain work, and at the physical, emotional, social and spiritual sides of life. Self-care is a vital part of holistic care.  

It’s important to think about how all this fits together. So it’s good to keep your usual healthcare team involved and get their input. Treatments and therapies on the NHS are strictly controlled and monitored. That’s not always the case for other parts of holistic care. But there are often ways to check the safety and suitability of things you want to try.  

This is part two of a two-part series on holistic care. You can find the link to the first part at the bottom of the page.

Is there any evidence holistic care is effective for people with MS?

Yes, there’s evidence that certain holistic therapies can be helpful for people with MS. And growing research suggests that lifestyle changes can make a positive impact as well.  

While each therapy or change on its own might bring small benefits, a holistic approach combines these small improvements for a greater overall effect, especially when used alongside proven drug treatments. 

​​In my real-world experience, I’ve seen that patients on disease modifying therapies (DMTs) often have milder symptoms when they incorporate complementary therapies into their treatment plan.​ 

It’s important for everyone to have a treatment plan that suits their individual needs, as what works best can vary from person to person. But there are some things that often come up.

Mindfulness in everyday life

I often suggest mindfulness to those living with MS. Managing a long-term condition can be mentally exhausting, and it’s easy to become focused on your symptoms instead of being present in the moment. Developing mindfulness skills can help shift that focus and make it easier to navigate life with more balance and clarity.  

Brushing your teeth can actually be a mindful activity. It’s about learning to focus your attention on the present moment, becoming fully aware of your actions, movements, and even your thoughts as they happen. It’s a way to bring mindfulness into everyday tasks, helping you stay grounded and connected to what you're doing.   

Mindfulness and meditation, when practiced consistently for at least eight weeks, have been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce depression and anxiety, and help manage fatigue. They can also play a role in pain management and enhancing overall quality of life.

Acupuncture  

There is also emerging evidence that acupuncture may help manage chronic and neuropathic pain. A review of multiple trials suggests that acupuncture can reduce pain intensity and improve the quality of life for people with long-term conditions. However, more large-scale studies are needed to confirm its benefits specifically for MS. 

Sleep and diet 

Addressing sleep hygiene and maintaining a healthy diet are also key components of a holistic approach, as they support both physical and mental well-being, contributing to a better quality of life for people with MS. 

​Misinformation and ‘miracle cures’ for MS   

There’s lots of misinformation out there. Every time I record and publish a new BeeWellWithMS episode, I get comments about herbal supplements which supposedly ‘cure MS’, but they’re ​misleading​​​. And some herbal treatments aren’t​​ just neutral herbs. They’re very strong and can interact negatively with your medication and affect your liver function.    

It’s important to rely on trusted sources and always consult a healthcare professional, just like you would for any prescription drug. 

Keep an open mind 

I always encourage my patients to ​​critically evaluate their treatment options– to keep an open mind and look for evidence and facts. The NHS has some simple advice about deciding on complementary therapies and weighing up different claims being made.  

I also suggest people who want to look into things in detail prioritise peer-reviewed research. That’s research published in a scientific journal, where other peer scientists have considered how the research was carried out.    

But I know those scientific papers often use complicated language. Charities like the MS Society, ​​​MS Trust​, ​​​MS Together​ and Shift MS have more accessible, evidence-based guidance.   

Checking the safety of supplements 

If you want to check in detail the safety and potential side effects of vitamins, herbal supplements, and other dietary products, the American site, MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) might be helpful. It bases its information on scientific research, clinical studies, and expert opinions.

But remember that treatments approved in other countries won’t always be approved in the UK. So do check what you’ve found out with a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new treatment.  

Finding a complementary therapist  

If you’re seeing a complementary practitioner in person, ensure they’re licensed and certified. Check whether they’re registered with a professional body for their specific therapy. And always check that products you buy have a proper regulatory stamp or certification. For example, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) stamp in the UK for licensed herbal and medicinal products.

The NHS and complementary therapies ​​​  

The integration of complementary therapies in the National Health Service (NHS) has been a topic of considerable interest, particularly for managing long-term conditions like MS.  

Acupuncture has gained attention. Research indicates it’s one of the most accepted forms of complementary therapy among GPs. Many say they want more training and that they support its inclusion in NHS funding.

Access varies

Access to complementary therapies on the NHS can vary depending on where you are. Like many doctors, I’m passionate about offering services like acupuncture or mindfulness to a wider range of patients. 

Unfortunately, it’s challenging to make holistic care widely available in the NHS. ​For example, with the NHS recovering from the pandemic, the funding and resources aren’t there to make it possible for more complementary treatments to be offered yet. ​ 

That said, things are slowly changing as more research supports the benefits of holistic approaches. Some NHS services are beginning to incorporate lifestyle-based support, such as diet, weight management and exercise programmes, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and tai chi. 

Asking questions about complementary therapies 

I always encourage patients to bring up complementary therapies, and it’s important to know that any good neurologist will be open to this discussion.  

It’s natural for people to worry about being dismissed, but I reassure my patients that their experiences and ideas are valid. 

I aim to make my appointments a safe space for these conversations, and I always advise my patients to come prepared with any questions or thoughts they’d like to discuss, including complementary therapies. 

If you’re considering therapies 

It’s useful to share specific therapies they’re considering or already using. This helps us think about any potential interactions with their MS medications or their symptoms. 

Making the most of limited appointment time 

Even when appointment time is limited, it’s important to bring up topics like complementary therapies. You can mention them early in the conversation or ask for a follow-up appointment specifically focused on holistic and alternative approaches. Another option is to write to your healthcare provider and ask for their thoughts and advice. 

Open communication between patient and doctor is essential for building trust and ensuring that every aspect of your care, including complementary therapies, is taken into account.

A version of this article also appeared in MS Matters Magazine. You can learn more about MS Matters here.

You can listen to Agne’s podcast, BeewellwithMS, on her website.

Read the first in this two-part series on holistic care