Acupuncture for Multiple Sclerosis by Dr. Randy Martin

Reference: Amantadine and the place of acupuncture in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: an observational study. Acupunct Med. 2012 Nov 14.

Design: Observational, open clinical trial.

Participants: 31 female and 9 male (age 34.17±9.52 years) patients with a definitive diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis according to the McDonald criteria.

Study Medication and Dosage: Amantadine, 100 mg, twice a day. Acupuncture in non-responders (n=20), a total of 12 sessions and 10 acupuncture points, every other day.

Primary Outcome Measures: Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score (FSS score greater than 30 was determined as significant and indicated further treatment).

Key Findings: Mean group FSS scores before and after two months of amantadine treatment were 48±8.6 and 40±12.6 respectively. Of the 40 patients eligible for the trial, 15 responded to amantadine treatment with a mean reduction in FSS score of 8±4 following two months of treatment. Of the 25 patients that were non-responders following two months of amantadine treatment, 20 patients responded to acupuncture with a mean reduction in FSS score of 13±6 (p<0.001). Additionally, five responded to combined amantadine and acupuncture treatment resulting in a mean FSS score reduction of 20.6±7.2.

There are several nutritional factors that may want to be considered in addition to acupuncture for multiple sclerosis patients browse this site. Vitamin D has recently been shown to modulate the immune system.¹ In the cases of multiple sclerosis, higher levels of vitamin D are associated with decreased exacerbation risk in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis suggests a beneficial effect of vitamin D on the disease course of multiple sclerosis.² Most integrative medicine, and now conventionally practicing providers, dose and treat with vitamin D using laboratory evaluation rather than non-specific dosing patterns or recommended Daily Reference Intake.

Vitamin B12 has been found to be low in the blood of patients with multiple sclerosis.^3,4

Vitamin B12 may play a protective role in brain development and prevention of brain and neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis.⁵ In combination with medications, vitamin B12 was found to be effective in relieving the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.⁶ Similar to vitamin D, practitioners often choose to determine the dose and duration of B12 therapy based on objective findings. Serum or urinary methylmalonic acid and homocysteine as well as markers of macrocytic anemia can be more sensitive than serum B12.⁷

Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, derived from fish oil, are important for brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids are shown to be promising as potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents in both relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.⁸

Curcumin, a dietary spice from turmeric, has outstanding anti-inflammation and neuroprotective effects.⁹ Curcumin inhibits neuroinflammation through multiple mechanisms in MS patients. Studies demonstrate that curcumin suppresses symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.¹⁰

Antibodies to gluten have been linked to multiple sclerosis.¹¹ Therefore, it would be prudent to eliminate gluten in the diet for patients with multiple sclerosis, as exposure to gluten could worsen the disease process and aggravate symptoms. Short term elimination of gluten is a safe therapeutic intervention regardless if it is involved in the reversal, remission, or limitation of the disease itself. Whether the elimination of gluten is necessary for all MS patients is yet to be fully illustrated by the evidence.