This volume has a large section dealing with complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) because they are widely used by people with any serious or chronic disease. Many studies have shown that three out of four MS patients use one or more alternative medicines and often seek help from alternative therapists, often while also using the conventional therapies prescribed by their physicians.

Dr. Marcia Angell and Dr. Jerome Kassirer, former editors of the New England Journal of Medicine, wrote that there cannot be two forms of medicine – conventional and alternative. “There is only medicine that has been adequately tested and medicine that has not, medicine that works and medicine that may or may not work.” They argued that alternative medicines have been given a free ride, and when something is tested rigorously and shown to be safe and effective it does not matter whether it is alternative or conventional. Belief in alternative approaches may be strong, even when there are no studies to show effect or safety. They add, “But assertions, speculation, and testimonials do not substitute for evidence.” The authors conclude, “Alternative treatments should be subjected to scientific testing no less rigorous than that required for conventional treatments.” It is reassuring that in many countries research agencies are now providing funding for research on complementary and alternative therapies.