Rating: 
Summary: Better than expected
Review: After reading some of the reviews I hestitated on buying this. I had just been diagnosed with MS. I started taking the shots (and still am) but wanted to find other things that I could do. From the reviews I thought this would be an alternative medicine bashing book but its not. It states the facts as they are and shows pros and cons, leave a lot for the reader to consider. I found this to be a well-rounded book that had good info.
Rating:
Summary: Better than expected
Review: After reading some of the reviews I hestitated on buying this. I had just been diagnosed with MS. I started taking the shots (and still am) but wanted to find other things that I could do. From the reviews I thought this would be an alternative medicine bashing book but its not. It states the facts as they are and shows pros and cons, leave a lot for the reader to consider. I found this to be a well-rounded book that had good info.
Rating:
Summary: A good resource
Review: I don't agree with the reviews that state this book as not being helpful. Obviously a MD is careful about recommending alternative therapies (and to do it in writing goes even farther against their grain.) With that said, Dr. Bowling includes a multitude of options and resources that any proactive patient would find of value. And he states right up front that he supports a complementary approach that uses western practices along with the alternative therapies. He offers fact, theory and opinion on these therapies (he's ok with just about every one that doesn't involve infusions/IVs, chemicals and the like) And yes, he has a bias for the ABC&Rebif drugs (and there's nothing wrong with that... I've read a lot of books written by alternative practioners who don't have anything good to say about western options/drugs; so one needs to consider the source and take a proactive approach to his/her own healing.) Just the section on Vitamins, Minerals & Other NonHerbal Supplements is worth it (having that info whittled down to 23 pages versus some oversized volume on the topic was great.) If you've gotten this far (meaning you're interested enough in this title to be reading the reviews), I say Go For It; one can never have enough info and if this book gives you just one new piece of information... then that's one more than what you started with.
Rating:
Summary: A good resource
Review: I don't agree with the reviews that state this book as not being helpful. Obviously a MD is careful about recommending alternative therapies (and to do it in writing goes even farther against their grain.) With that said, Dr. Bowling includes a multitude of options and resources that any proactive patient would find of value. And he states right up front that he supports a complementary approach that uses western practices along with the alternative therapies. He offers fact, theory and opinion on these therapies (he's ok with just about every one that doesn't involve infusions/IVs, chemicals and the like) And yes, he has a bias for the ABC&Rebif drugs (and there's nothing wrong with that... I've read a lot of books written by alternative practioners who don't have anything good to say about western options/drugs; so one needs to consider the source and take a proactive approach to his/her own healing.) Just the section on Vitamins, Minerals & Other NonHerbal Supplements is worth it (having that info whittled down to 23 pages versus some oversized volume on the topic was great.) If you've gotten this far (meaning you're interested enough in this title to be reading the reviews), I say Go For It; one can never have enough info and if this book gives you just one new piece of information... then that's one more than what you started with.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Worth the Money
Review: I was dxd about a year ago, and I decided not to try the ABC drugs. I use a completely holistic approach, using a modified Swank Diet, supplements, exercise, yoga, etc. I have been in remission for over a year. I know that R/R MS goes in remission naturally anyway, but I feel alternative therapies have a great deal to offer someone with MS. This book discounts most of them or simply says "not enough information" or "no real evidence to prove this therapy." I have a problem with Dr. Bowling discounting the Swank diet when so many MS patients have used it with success. He notes that the diet never went through a clinical trial; however, it is impossible to do a clinical trial on a diet because there cannot be a double blind study (you can't have a blind control group with a diet because they will know they are changing their diet, etc.). This is not a valid reason to discount the diet. Also, he says the ABC's have gone through clinical trials, and have been proven to work. Well, they offer about a 30% reduction in relapses, have severe side effects, and cost $1k a month. This does not seem that great to me. Also, I don't completely trust the results of a clinical trial done on the ABC's too because the group getting the drug may know they are getting something (i.e. the side effects of the drug are pretty severe and this will indicate to the group that they are not in the placebo group), and this in itself may lead to their decrease in relapses (sheer belief that they are taking something to help. Doctors today do not know how or why these drugs work (if they do). They don't even know what causes MS. The book doesn't offer much, in my opinion. It is very wishy-washy about whether any therapy works (except for the drugs, which he strongly advocates). I would advise one going to mercola.com for a better treatment for chronic illness. Diet takes willpower and lots of people say to me that they cannot do it while they are stuffing their face with a doughnut, but I would think having MS would be enough motivation to change one's lifestyle, wouldn't you??
Rating:
Summary: Alternative Medicine & MS
Review: It does discuss a variety of alternative treatments for MS, but pretty well dismisses them all as either 1) ineffective but harmless or 2) ineffective and dangerous.
Rating: 
Summary: Alternative Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis by Bowling
Review: Multiple Sclerosis is a system that impacts the immune system
and the nervous system. There is a hereditary disposition to
the disease. The main damage involves lesions of the brain and
spinal cord. The disease may relapse and remit during various
phases. The drug Betaseron may be employed for MS to decrease
relapses in both length and severity. Alternative medicinal
protocols may be employed i.e. acupuncture, exercise,
biofeedback, chiropractic and massage therapy. Acupuncture has minor risks in the thoracic region for the lung and heart.
Propolis has been found to stimulate and suppress immune function.A new area called Psychoneuroimmunology has developed which
impacts both the nervous system and the immune system.
Chelation therapy removes plaque from the blood vessels.
Chiropractic has been known to help MS sufferers because low
back pain is reduced with gentle manipulation. Dental amalgum implications may be present in arthritis, lupus,
Parkinson's and brain tumor. Decreases in dietary fat may assist
MS sufferers. Gamma Linoleic Acid supresses excess immune
system activity. Enzyme therapy improves both digestion and
the breakdown of complex food groups. i.e. protein
Certain exercises i.e. horseback riding improves the pelvis.
This book is an excellent supplementary reference for MS
sufferers. It will complement any formal program of
pharmaceutical medicines in place. Definition: A linoleic acid is a liquid unsaturated fatty acid
essential in animal nutrition. The chemical composition is: C H O
18 30 2
Rating:
Summary: My uncle
Review: My uncle allen wrote this book. It is verry interesting!@
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: This book fulfills its claims. I found useful its review of numerous alternative approaches to MS. Clearly western medicine has not figured out the perfect response to the disease. This book is a way to be imformed of developments in both traditional and alternative medicine. Part of the nature of the disease is that no single treatment works for everyone. This is a good book for an overview of what options exist and whether they seem to work.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful
Review: This book fulfills its claims. I found useful its review of numerous alternative approaches to MS. Clearly western medicine has not figured out the perfect response to the disease. This book is a way to be imformed of developments in both traditional and alternative medicine. Part of the nature of the disease is that no single treatment works for everyone. This is a good book for an overview of what options exist and whether they seem to work.
|
