Epilepsy
Complementary approaches and epilepsy
At present the most successful treatment for epilepsy is anti-epileptic medication.
Research into the use and effectiveness of complementary therapies in epilepsy is limited, but interest in this area is growing and more work is being carried out.
Complementary therapies can help to give people with epilepsy a sense of control over their bodies and lives, and in improving their sense of well-being. Complementary approaches are best used as a complement to an existing drug treatment, with both the knowledge and approval of the doctor.
Several people we interviewed had used complementary therapies at some point. A few people noted that they had not used complementary approaches for epilepsy but had used them for other conditions. One woman, who had trained in complementary therapies, said she had benefited from aromatherapy oils, reflexology, and group counselling.
Mentions the benefits of aromatherapy oils, reflexology and group counselling.
Mentions the benefits of aromatherapy oils, reflexology and group counselling.
Not specifically with the epilepsy because that had been so well controlled but certainly with the ovarian cancer. I think things like oils and I did have some reflexology, even now. And also just general counselling, group therapy work.
And how did you find all of these beneficial?
I'm a great believer in that if you're, if you're not stressed, if you're relaxed, the immune system is working more effectively and if the immune system's working more effectively then problems like cancer may never develop. Now I'm not saying won't but I'm sure that, I personally think that there's a link between emotional problems and problems that are developed in late, later on, so many years later.
Anything you want to add in terms of the complementary therapies?
Uh, no, but I do think, not, I do think that using essential oils at a low level for massage can help, can be very relaxing. And also having reflexology as a form of treatment. But there are lots of other therapies out there that I'm sure help with epilepsy and cancer and meningitis just as much.
Some people discussed the advantages of having an aromatherapy massage. One man described benefiting from cranial massage. He also discussed the costs of complementary therapies and that he would have liked more information on alternative treatments. Others expressed doubts about the effectiveness of complementary approaches to epilepsy.
Explains that she is wary of complementary therapies.
Explains that she is wary of complementary therapies.
Not really no, I'm a little bit wary of it. I'm willing to try anything if it works sort of thing, you know I wouldn't mind; but I'm a bit wary of some of these things, how safe are they you know? And will that trigger something off, you know you might take all these different things and you know, I'm a bit wary. The oil, as I say the primrose thing as I say, they say don't touch this, it has put me off them, things are a little bit you know! (laughs).
A few of those interviewed had used the Bach Rescue Remedy and noted how it had helped them feel more relaxed. Several people mentioned the importance of relaxing and recalled trying breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. Others reported occasionally using hypnotherapy and acupuncture. One person discussed using biofeedback, and another explained how homeopathy had helped him. He also recommended going to reputable, registered practitioners.
Explains that she felt the Bach Rescue Remedy helped her.
Explains that she felt the Bach Rescue Remedy helped her.
And when you take this Remedy do you feel relaxed almost straight away or after half an hour or something, how does it work?
I suppose it doesn't take that long at all. You sort of feel it sort of within five, ten minutes, you do feel, it makes you feel a bit more sort of calmer too. You know I feel more positive and, a bit more, I've taken something, in my mind I say to myself I'm going to feel a bit better now you know.
Discusses the breathing exercises that have helped her to relax more.
Discusses the breathing exercises that have helped her to relax more.
' It's just breathing through your belly rather than breathing through, because if you breath through your nose you feel all light-headed whereas you just, well you just sit there and just, or lie there and you just turn over. The last fit I actually had this year in the year 2002, or one of them is, I actually was in bed, this was, and I hit my head and the following day I had a fit and it really shocked me because I hadn't had one for a couple of months and it frightened me to hell. And I thought no, just relax again and it did actually go away.
Explains that he has homeopathic treatment and recommends going to reputable, registered...
Explains that he has homeopathic treatment and recommends going to reputable, registered...
... If you go to someone who is registered as a particular member of a society, either reflexology, acupuncture, whatever, they will give you an honest answer. But do go to someone who is registered and preferably someone who has a good reputation. In the case of myself and the homeopath, it was very much three or four people recommending him. And I think that its again quite important, the, so do go on. I think recommendation is a good one for the, I don't think there's any problem in trying things. Probably, I would suggest that you're in close contact with your doctor or consultant on these matters.
Diet was an important consideration for some people. One woman, whose son had severe epilepsy, discussed the dairy-free and gluten-free diet that he was on. Another woman, who had slowly been weaned off anti-epileptic drugs, reported being on a Chinese diet.
Discusses the Chinese diet she is on.
Discusses the Chinese diet she is on.
But its not conclusive I feel because it could be to do with the hormonal changes of pregnancy, of having a young baby, breast-feeding and then pregnancy again, I don't know. I'm hoping that it will heal my epilepsy. It's similar to a macrobiotic diet. It's no processed foods, no caffeine, no alcohol, no white flour, white sugar, just basic foods, brown flour, brown pasta, brown rice and lots of vegetables. No potatoes and tomatoes and spinach, but otherwise all the vegetables.
So how long have you been doing this diet?
Since October.
And how do you feel so far?
My husband tells me that I'm in better health, definitely not taking dairy produce I don't have problems with my sinuses any longer, which I hadn't realised that that was the link, so that's interesting.
When discussing complementary therapies, several people also noted the therapeutic effects of music and art. One man explained how art, creative writing and meditation had benefited him over the years.
Explains how art, creative writing and meditation have helped him.
Explains how art, creative writing and meditation have helped him.
Have you ever been interested at all in complementary approaches to epilepsy?
Oh when I was going through I suppose a control period I was trying to deal with my psycho/social problems, I was trying all sorts of different medications and I was, I used to do meditation at the time, I'm a big meditative person, I'm a strong believer in many of those things. Now I don't have time to practice it but if I was in a house with space I'd probably meditate again. I was doing yoga but as the seizures got worse it's a bit embarrassing wandering out of the room half naked, so I stopped that. But I have an interest in those things just as I have a strong belief in there's body energies, you've got your seven chakras and that's how you can become aware of different chemicals rushing round your body. Or if you give time to actually think how you actually feel, hence the hesitation, I'm becoming aware in my body. So yes always an underlying interest in that.
Some therapeutic activities, such as gardening, art or walking, cost little or nothing. They may also improve general health, fitness and confidence.
Last reviewed May 2016.
Last updated May 2016.
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