If a decision is made to consider unconventional therapies, there are some guidelines that may be especially helpful. These guidelines have broad applications to a variety of unconventional therapies.

First, it is important to know when it may be reasonable to use CAM. For example, it might be reasonable to consider CAM for symptoms such as mild fatigue or mild muscle stiffness. Also, it may be reasonable to use CAM for conditions for which conventional medicine has no effective therapies or only partially effective therapies. On the other hand, there are situations in which CAM is inappropriate. Severe conditions, such as disabling muscle stiffness or severe pain, or a serious disease, such as MS, should not be treated initially or exclusively with CAM therapies. In some of these situations, it may be reasonable for people who are interested in CAM to use CAM along with conventional medicine.

Some CAM books make erroneous claims about MS, some of which are potentially dangerous. One relatively frequent misunderstanding is that MS is an immune disease and that, consequently, it should be treated by stimulating the immune system with dietary supplements. This is incorrect. MS is an immune disease, but it is generally characterised by excessive immune system activity. As a result, effective MS therapies generally decrease immune system activity.

There are features of some CAM therapies that should raise concerns, including:
• “Secret ingredients” or little objective information about safety or effectiveness
• Extremely strong claims about effectiveness, such as claims that a single therapy is effective for many different conditions
• Use of “testimonials” in which individuals make very strong claims about effectiveness
• Much cost or effort is involved, such as inpatient therapy or intravenous treatment

There are common misconceptions about dietary supplements, which include vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Some supplements are claimed to have therapeutic effects and no side-effects. This is not true. Supplements, especially herbs, are similar to medications and contain chemicals that may produce beneficial effects but may also cause side-effects. Also, it is sometimes claimed that “more is better,” especially with vitamins and minerals. This is not correct and may actually be dangerous. High doses of many supplements may produce side-effects. Finally, it is sometimes stated that natural compounds are safe and beneficial. In fact, there are many products that are natural but are also very toxic. Examples include mercury, arsenic, animal venoms, and poisonous mushrooms.