MS: Busting the Myths
May 5, 2025 | Aids, Life with MS, Support, Symptoms, Treatments
Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash
Symptom management is an important component of living well with MS. Wellness practices or complementary therapies, can often reduce life limiting symptoms such as pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness and tightening. Certain therapies might help people feel more in control of their MS or make them feel better overall, reducing stress and helping with relaxation.
Who might consider complimentary therapies?
Many people diagnosed with MS explore complimentary therapies alongside of, or in absence of standard evidence-based treatments, disease modifying therapies (DMTs). For many unable to access DMTs, complimentary therapies offer opportunities to maintain some control of MS symptoms and live well.
What should you consider when deciding on complimentary therapies?
With so many options to explore, its hard to know what will work. Just as MS is so different for everyone, medicines and complimentary therapies also differ in how they will work.
Most complimentary therapies won’t have undergone the same level of clinical trials as a funded medications and so it is important to ensure that you take time to research your options. You should be consider the quality of the research, analysis, cohort (patient) size and whether the results actually showed benefit, or whether they were inconclusive. While some therapies may provide relief for some MS symptoms, others provide no benefit at all, and some can even cause harm.
Is there support for the cost of complimentary therapy?
It is important to consider the costs involved, as most will be privately funded. If the therapy is ongoing, are you able to maintain the costs? You may be able to use Disability Support Funding to cover some or all of the costs. You should discuss this with your Needs Assessment and Coordination Services provider (NASCs).
Where can I learn more?
The MS International Federation (MSIF) guide on “Wellness Practices and Complimentary Therapies”, covers a range of options that may help people with MS manage their symptoms. Whilst some practices may provide relief for some MS symptoms, others may be ineffective or even harmful. This comprehensive guide, aims to equip you with the best scientific information to help support decision-making. MSNZ acknowledges that not all of the therapies are available in New Zealand.
This booklet explores:
Download the accompanying Complementary therapies checklist, a practical checklist to help people with MS weigh their options regarding the use of complementary therapies.