Fact or Fiction? Multiple Sclerosis Alternative Therapies
Here are some popular misconceptions about alternative MS treatments. Some surprising facts and things for you to think about.
Fiction: Alternative medicine is completely natural and nontoxic.
Fact: Not all alternative therapies use natural substances. And even a natural substance can be toxic. Remember, poison ivy is completely natural.
Fiction: Alternative medicine is non-invasive and painless.
Fact: Some alternative therapies are invasive, painful, and may produce serious side effects. Examples include chelation therapy, colonic irrigation, and bee sting therapy.
Fiction: Alternative medicine is risk-free.
Fact: Every test, treatment, therapy, and medication whether conventional or alternative carries some degree of risk.
The question is, do the benefits outweigh the risks? Only,well-conducted, scientific studies or documented clinical experience can determine this. However, the experience of a seasoned MS clinician can provide valuable guidance.
Fiction: If a person improves while using a treatment that means it works.
Fact: It’s always good news when someone’s condition improves. However, the improvement may be due to the natural course of the disease, not to the treatment. MS particularly is notorious for being variable. It can stabilize for no known reason at any time. Or, the placebo effect may be responsible for the improvement.
Fiction: Conventional medicine has all the answers.
Fact: No. Conventional medicine has not fully evaluated many of the treatments it currently uses. Doctors do not always know how or why some treatments work, but they use them anyway. However, reputable professionals avoid secrecy, and share information about their practices via journals, professional meetings, and correspondence.
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Interview with Multiple Sclerosis Author
Please welcome Jeffrey Gingold, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and author of Mental Sharpening Stones and Facing The Cognitive Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis
What Information Are You Privy To?
Last night I was watching the famous movie “Titanic” with my wife and daughters. A movie that many of us have seen over and over again, and I’ll admit I’m victim to this to. Seeing the movie last night was just as good as seeing it for the first time how many years ago I [...]
Mental Sharpening Stones
I just finished reading the book, Mental Sharpening Stones, manage the cognitive challenges of Multiple Sclerosis, by Jeffrey N Gingold. This is a fantastic book for anyone facing the challenges of living successfully with Multiple Sclerosis.
The image of sharpening stones is laid out in the introduction from a time that precedes my life as [...]
The Never Ending Trail
This past weekend I attended a Multiple Sclerosis conference here in Wisconsin.
The event was a two day shin-dig featuring guest speakers from around the U.S. One of them being Maureen Manley and Jeffrey Gingold. I hope that maybe you might have heard of one of these individuals. They both have multiple sclerosis, Maureen a competitive [...]
What My Neuro Told Me Today
After not seeing my neuro for almost a year it was time to go; besides I needed a renewal on my prescription for Rebif. Those bastards at Caremark wouldn’t send me any more until they got the magic little piece of paper.
His first comment was, well Bob how do you feel?
I feel really good.
He than [...]
Reaching Mt. Everest
I met this lady a few months ago at a multiple sclerosis conference here in Milwaukee. She spoke about her personal journey with multiple sclerosis and how she was going on a trip to conquer multiple sclerosis in her own way. I’m so very proud of her and announce that she conquered multiple sclerosis. How? [...]
Change Your Routine Change Your Life
Two weeks ago I was vacationing in Florida and I had completely changed my routine.
I stopped going to work, stopped meditating in the morning and evening, and stopped taking my supplements because It was a total hassle to get them though the airport.
Instead- I sat on a beach chair in the sun listening to the [...]
Getting Stuck by a Needle is My Civic Responsibility
This past weekend I went to church and there was a blood van parked outside, you know one of those big long things with the smiling face on the outside. Please come inside so we can stick you in the arm and make you squirm.
But I shouldn’t complain I stick myself with a needle a [...]
Your General Guide to Poking and Prodding
Ah… yes. Next week is the week I’ll be going to see my neuro on Wednesday.
But I feel good about this appointment because I know that he look at me with a smile on his face and say, “Bob you’re doing great”. And I’ll say thanks, I’ve been working hard.
I’ve been doing my exercise, meditation, [...]
