How holistic healthcare and complementary therapies can help manage MS

We spoke to expert neurologist Dr Agne Straukiene to create the following two-part explainer on how holistic care can help people living with MS.

Holistic care includes complementary and alternative therapies as well as established healthcare services. For example, it can include disease modifying therapies, diet, counselling, stress management, spiritual well-being and physiotherapy.

Dr. Agne Straukiene is a Consultant Neurologist and leads the MS Service at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. She’s the host and founder of the BeeWellWithMS podcast, to help people with MS live healthier lives. She’s a certified Brain Health Ambassador for the European Academy of Neurology and an award-winning brain health advocate.

Agne is passionate about holistic healthcare, setting up lifestyle clinics that focus on both the body and mind for people with MS.

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

Can holistic healthcare help people with MS?

Yes, holistic healthcare can help people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Holistic care aims to treat the whole person - mind, body, and spirit - rather than focusing only on the disease itself.

It’s an 'integrative approach' so it works together with established medical treatments like disease modifying therapies (DMTs), physiotherapy and rehabilitation services. Holistic care can enhance overall well-being and quality of life for people with MS.

It’s like tending to a garden. It’s not just about nurturing the flowers but also considering the soil, water, and light - all the factors that influence how plants grow. Holistic care looks at every aspect of a person’s wellbeing and lifestyle. And, in doing so, you create a thriving, resilient ecosystem - just like a nurtured garden! 

Complementary and alternative therapies

Many people with MS use complementary and alternative therapies alongside conventional treatments. These therapies should not replace DMTs or other evidence-based treatments, but they may provide relief from symptoms and improve quality of life.

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Some common complementary and alternative approaches include:

Acupuncture: May help with pain management, spasticity, and fatigue.
Massage therapy: Can alleviate muscle stiffness, reduce stress, and improve relaxation.
Yoga and Tai Chi: These practices enhance flexibility, balance, and mental well-being, and can help manage stress and fatigue.
Mindfulness and meditation: Stress management is crucial for people with MS, as stress can make symptoms worse. Mindfulness techniques can reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being.

Nutrition and diet

Diet plays an essential role in overall health and may help manage MS symptoms. While there’s no recommended ‘MS diet’, having a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet helps with:

Reducing fatigue.
Supporting immune function.
Maintaining a healthy weight, which is essential for mobility.
Managing other conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
Some people seem to benefit from anti-inflammatory diets like the Mediterranean, intermittent fasting or ketogenic diets. Or from taking vitamin D supplements.

Mental and emotional well-being

Holistic healthcare often emphasises the importance of mental health:

Counselling and psychotherapy: Helps people cope with the emotional impact of MS, including anxiety, depression, or frustration.
Support groups: Engaging with other people with MS or support networks can help people feel less isolated and provide practical coping strategies.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This form of therapy helps manage mood, including anxiety and depression, by changing negative thought patterns and behaviours.

Contact our MS Helpline if you're affected by MS and need emotional support or information

Listening to your body's signals

We’re usually quite good at checking the dashboard in our car when something’s wrong, looking out for any warning lights. But we often don’t listen to our bodies in the same way when they signal that something’s not right.

For example, it’s important to pay attention to how certain foods make you feel – whether they improve or worsen your well-being. You can easily do this by keeping a food diary, noting how you feel after eating particular foods. And we tend to get accustomed to poor lifestyle choices without realising the impact they could have on our health.

Physical rehabilitation and physiotherapy

Holistic healthcare incorporates evidence-based physiotherapy and rehabilitation as part of a broader treatment plan:

Physiotherapy: Helps maintain mobility, strength, and coordination. Tailored exercises can improve walking and balance, and help reduce muscle stiffness.
Occupational therapy: Helps people perform daily tasks by adapting their environment or offering assistive devices to improve independence.

Mind-body connection

A core principle of holistic care is to integrate mental and physical health:

Stress management: Chronic stress can worsen MS symptoms, making stress management techniques essential. For example, using mind-body practices like breathing exercises, biofeedback, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Sleep hygiene: Good sleep is essential for MS management. Holistic care often focuses on optimising sleep through natural methods such as meditation, acupuncture, or relaxation exercises.

Spiritual well-being

For some people, engaging in spiritual practices can provide comfort and resilience. Holistic care respects the spiritual dimension. It encourages practices in line with your beliefs, whether through prayer, meditation, or other means.

Tailored, person-centred care

Holistic treatment plans are personalised, based on each person’s unique symptoms, preferences, and lifestyle. This can be empowering. It lets you take an active role in your health management and make informed choices about your care.

Integrating therapies with drug treatments

Holistic care does not replace conventional medical treatments like DMTs, which are essential for managing MS progression and reducing relapses. Instead, holistic approaches complement these treatments by addressing other aspects of health, for the overall well-being of the person with MS.

Lifestyle changes as part of holistic care

While complementary and alternative therapies can significantly improve a person’s overall well-being, they can also be costly and may not be accessible to everyone. Many treatments like vitamin supplements, acupuncture or physiotherapy etc need regular use. And it can be weeks before you see any improvements. 

Making small lifestyle changes, like improving sleep quality, quitting smoking, or planning and preparing healthier meals, are excellent and affordable first steps.

Holistic healthcare can help people with MS by addressing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of health. When combined with established healthcare services like DMTs, physiotherapy, and other traditional treatments, holistic approaches can improve symptom management, enhance quality of life, and empower you to take control of your care.

But it’s crucial to consult with healthcare providers before integrating any complementary therapies into the treatment plan. That’s to make sure they’re safe and effective for you as an individual.

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

Read part two of our two-part series on holistic care