The National MS Society speaks to how more often than not, people in the United States who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis are choosing a combination of their prescribed MS treatment with an alternative or complementary intervention. Stress management, exercise, and acupuncture may help relieve symptoms of pain, anxiety, and gait.

Comprehensive care is making way for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) within scientific studies and clinical trials. Some of these interventions include regular recommendations of exercise, acupuncture, and cooling strategies.  Activities such as yoga, meditation and stress management are included as approaches to help take care of and manage flair-ups

Exercise to reduce stiffness and gain mobility

Dancing, cycling, walking, and swimming is complementary aerobic exercises. Enjoy at a low to moderately high-intensity level to improve bladder and bowel function, reduce fatigue, strengthen muscles, and improve mood. Learning cat-cow or warrior pose through stretching exercises can reduce stiffness and increase mobility. See a physical therapist to recommend what are the best activities to fit your abilities.

Acupuncture treatment relieves pain

Western Medicine finds itself greeting acupuncture as a cultural norm to relieve pain and gait in patients with MS. The treatment involves inserting minimal, thin needs through the skin at specific points on the body, varying in depth. Studies show that acupuncture may provide relief from symptoms such as bladder problems, spasticity, and fatigue.

Stress management will lower hormones and keep you calm

Stress and body have a love/hate relationship. Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to any experience. Each individual expresses tension differently and in correlation to different backgrounds. There are different levels of stress one may endure – from everyday stress about work responsibilities to a death in the family – which the body responds to by releasing hormones that makes the heart race, muscles be at the ready, and increase of breathing rate. The central nervous system is in charge of the “flight or fight” response, which tells your brain to go ahead and release those hormones. Symptoms like anxiety, headache, insomnia, and irritability will occur.

The relationship between stress and MS is not definite. However, when someone is stressed, they are not performing at their very best. This is why stress management strategies work.

• Use effective communication to avoid conflict or misunderstanding
• Relief workload if it is too much to handle
• Be flexible when new tasks come in
• Use efficient planning at home and work
• Try a new ‘stress reliever activity’ such as yoga, meditation, exercise, spa, therapy, music or a favorite hobby

Always discuss with your healthcare provider before changing your treatment plan. Changing up your routine can have an effect on other treatments already in place. Continue to inform your providers of new and existing treatments. You do not want them to treat you blindfolded, especially with a severe disease like MS. Learn more about natural Complimentary alternatives with Dr. Axe. A little bit of natural health can go a long way towards an enjoyable lifestyle with MS.