Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in MS is a topic of truly international relevance. Around the world, CAM is widely used by those with MS. However, despite this widespread use, there are significant challenges for people with MS who are interested in CAM.
Specifically, in many countries, conventional medical practitioners, including MS specialists, may not be able to provide CAM information to people with MS because they lack knowledge and experience in this area. Furthermore, other common sources of health information, such as books and the internet, may provide CAM information that is inaccurate or potentially dangerous for those with MS.
This issue of MS in focus is devoted to providing objective, practical, MS-relevant CAM information.
The article by our Guest Editor, Dr Allen Bowling, provides a broad overview of CAM and highlights MS-relevant CAM therapies that are especially promising as well as those that may be dangerous or ineffective. Subsequent articles, written by CAM experts from different countries, focus on specific CAM therapies or practical strategies for using CAM.
I would like to thank Dr Bowling for his assistance with this issue and for his help in ensuring that it covers the most relevant topics around CAM and MS. I hope that the articles will help facilitate wise decisionmaking about CAM for people with MS.
I look forward to receiving your comments.
Michele Messmer Uccelli, Editor
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