Use of alternative health therapies by people with multiple sclerosis: an exploratory study

Sixteen people with multiple sclerosis (MS) responded to a semi-structured questionnaire about their experiences with alternative therapies. No definition of alternative therapies was provided. Physical therapy, counseling, nutrition, and massage were the most frequently used alternative therapies. Other therapies included acupuncture, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, Therapeutic Touch, yoga, passive exercise, and removal of mercury alloy tooth fillings. Almost two thirds of the respondents reported seeking an alternative health practitioner because traditional physicians offered no cure for MS. Just under one third of the respondents stated that the quality of their lives was improved by alternative therapies.