Finding appropriate therapies
Because of the internet, there is a great deal of information about CAM, although much of this is neither impartial nor reliable. In contrast to conventional medicine, there is not a great deal of published research evidence to indicate the value of different therapies and who might benefit.With this in mind, if a particular therapy sounds potentially useful, where possible, consult a practitioner who has been personally recommended by a trustworthy source - a friend, health food shop, doctor, etc. Always check that a has appropriate qualifications and be aware of the cost of treatment and how long it is likely to last.
Therapies can be expensive, so it is sensible to know when to stop if no benefit is being obtained. Not everything works for everybody, so be prepared to try a range of treatments and to be prepared to recognise if something isn’t working.
There is a widespread belief that CAMs must be safe since they are 'natural' but this is not necessarily true. CAMs can interact with conventional therapies and it is important for health professionals to know all the treatments being followed - both conventional and CAM - and that therapist(s) know that the individual has MS.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.mstrust.org.uk)
