Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Therapies

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Mind-body therapies are practices that take advantage of the connection between mind and body.

Some, such as yoga and tai chi, involve moving the body but are noted to have positive effects on mood as well as physical fitness. Others, such as meditation, involve using primarily the mind but can have positive physical effects, such as reduced pain, in addition to reduced psychological stress.

Practicing yoga on a regular basis has been found to help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life for people living with MS.

If you’re interested in trying yoga, look for a class that suits your abilities. Many yoga studios offer chair yoga, for example, which can be helpful if standing is difficult for you. You can also look for “adaptive” yoga classes, which are generally geared toward people with disabilities.

Doing tai chi can improve balance and reduce stress for people with MS. Tai chi usually involves moving your weight slowly from one side to the other using flowing movements. While advanced tai chi practitioners may perform deep bends or squats, beginner routines typically remain more upright. Chair tai chi is also an option if standing is difficult.

The Feldenkrais Method, which uses slow repetitions of movements to teach the body easier ways to perform physical tasks, has been shown to decrease stress and improve balance in people with MS, though more studies are need to confirm results.

Mindfulness meditation can reduce MS-related fatigue and pain and improve balance while standing as well as improve mood and quality of life.

Researchers also note that it holds promise for improving cognitive and emotional health.

Many people with MS use massage therapy to relax, ease muscle tension, and reduce stress and depression. Although the evidence is limited, some research suggests that massage can relieve MS symptoms.

It’s generally considered a safe therapy to pursue, especially if it makes you feel better.

Acupuncture, which involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body, is a popular pain-relief strategy among people with MS. A review of research notes that acupuncture, as an integrative therapy, appears to help improve MS symptoms like fatigue, neural functional deficits, pain, gait impairments, and bladder dysfunction.

Exercise can be helpful if you have MS. Walking and water aerobics are particularly helpful for people with MS because these exercises are less likely to cause fatigue or heat exhaustion than a higher-impact workout.

Reflexology involves putting pressure manually on certain points on your feet, hands, or ears that are believed to connect to the body’s organs. A systematic review of research found “positive results” in treating MS with reflexology: It can reduce pain and fatigue and improve quality of life.

There is some scientific evidence to suggest music therapy can help stimulate the brain and alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and memory loss in people with MS.

But it’s unlikely that music alone will be effective in controlling these symptoms.

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