Customer Reviews

Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

People diagnosed with an incurable disease are too-often targets of terribly unscrupulous or questionable methods of helping or curing them. When conventional medicine cannot cure us it is, to some degree, understandable. Dr. Bowling has put together a well-researched book that briefly discusses CAMs and various therapies, including yoga, tai chi, dietary supplements, vitamins and so forth. Each is briefly described, treatment method discussed, any known scientific research is summarized, side effects noted, practical information listed, and a conclusion and additional reading sources detailed. Dr. Bowling does note that some therapies, while not proven to help those with MS, may seem to help because of the "placebo effect." If it causes no harm, why not try it? However, some of these therapies can be detrimental to those with MS and it is wise to know what those are. This is a book for those who want objective and documented information. Some will claim it is biased against CAMs or undocumented therapies, but I did not find that to be the case. I found it very helpful.

This book was actually recommended to me by my MS Specialist. I'm SO happy he did. Too often, I think people believe everything others tell them about what something might do. This gives actual medical references about studies done with alternatives. It doesn't make bogus claims about what might cure someone. Instead, it offers sound advice about what might help or hurt your body. Not only that, it recommends what amounts of vitamins and other supplements one should take if they are going to use them. I'm a research FREAK and this is by the far the best alternative medicine book I've read. It's also the book I reference back to the most as I'm eager to see what else is possibly out there that can help with my disease.

I had gotten so tired of all the internet information on MS, my brain was burned out. I had stopped reading anything on the subject for quite awhile. But, this book is worth keeping handy with its sensible and knowledgeable information. It also validates in many ways the path I had chosen to manage this horrible disease.

This updated book is great for someone with MS or even if you are just interested in CAM. He explains the different methods well even if I don't always agree with everything he says.

This book is exactly what I needed. I was already using herbs instead of drugs. This book helps me focus on what I really need to be taking to help my condition stay in remission. I was directed to this book, and glad I don't question the intuition.

I read this book while waiting to get in to see the MS Specialist to see if I had MS. I had never really paid attention to MS, at least the details of how it effects a person. As a person in recovery from alcohol and drugs, I wanted to see what alternatives exist.

I found the book full of hope. Got a good explaination of the disease and what it is. I like the fact that Dr. Bowling gives both sides of the arguement for a particular treatment and explains the type of studies done on it.

Once I got in to see the specialist, he was aware of this book and open to listening to my questions and discussing different alternatives. The MS Center offered some CAM mentioned in the book.

Mostly an AMA / big-Pharma appraisal of Complementary and Alternative approaches. Does not acknowledge the successes that apitherapy, orthomolecular and other approaches have obtained -- without -- the debilitating side-effects of most pharmaceuticals, and at a much lower cost.

My doctor recommended this book and author. The doctor who wrote the book has researched everything from vitamins and herbs, to acupuncture, to the treatments about which we hear wonderful reports. Each potential therapy is explained. The author is honest about which therapies have been scientifically studied. He's forthright about some therapies that activate the immune system (causing possible problems in MS). He admits some therapies look promising, but need further study. He appears to be objective, yet will let the reader know of reports that sound promising, but have not been scientifically studied. As I read the book the first time I crossed out suggested treatments that are harmful and marked some to discuss with my doctor.
This book compiles a large amount of information into a ready reference source. Unlike many references, it is compact and easy to handle. It is organized alphabetically by therapy. The author explains each, tells what studies have been done in MS or reports that have been made. Dr. Bowling mentions the symptoms (if any)for which the therapy has proven effective. He explains potential side effects. Then he offers a conclusion based on that information.
This book is a "must have" for anyone with MS who wants to explore options outside of the traditional approved medical courses of action. It is not designed to take the place of traditional medicine, rather as a supplement. I highly recommend this book.

This book is a rather disappointing overall review of all the current literature already published about CAM and MS.
Essentially, there isn't anything new and unusual in this entire book. The author has merely linked all the curent theories together and listed the pros and cons of each, relative to MS.

Nothing new, nothing startling nothing of pending scientific value.
Old phrases on an old subject matter.

If you have MS, save your money for a book that actually has something to say, not one that merely repeats what others have already published. A waste of money.

So if you're actually LOOKING for suggestions on alternative therapies for MS, you won't find it here. This book is ALL studies, most of which are inconclusive or have the disclaimer "no official studies have been conducted..." It was certainly interesting and pointed out some symptoms that I never would have thought were associated with my MS, but still...no real long term help here because this book is just proposed therapies that have never been fully studied (but to be fair, most alternative medicine doesn't get the funding for research it deserves). It did give me some things to consider when talking with a neurologist about possible therapies other than the mainstream therapies of interferons. Just buy this book used, don't waste the cover price on it.