Complementary Treatment

If you have epilepsy, you may wonder if complementary treatments could help your seizure control. Although some people find complementary treatments helpful in treating their epilepsy, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that any type of complementary treatment is successful in controlling or curing epilepsy. Because of this lack of scientific evidence, it is recommended that complementary treatment should be used with anti-epileptic medication, rather than on its own.

In providing information, Epilepsy Action is not making any recommendations about the use of complementary treatment. If you are considering complementary treatment we strongly advise that you consult a qualified practitioner in that particular type of therapy. You may wish to tell them that you have epilepsy and discuss the possible risks, if any, if you had a seizure during the treatment. We would also recommend that you seek advice from your family doctor or epilepsy specialist before trying any type of treatment.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves treating the whole person, body and mind, by using needles, and sometimes heat, to stimulate the nerve endings. The aim is to improve the general state of health, creating a better mental, physical and emotional balance. Very little research has been carried out into the use of acupuncture in epilepsy. However, of the research that is available, there do not appear to be any harmful side-effects relating specifically to epilepsy.

• For further information about acupuncture in the UK, contact the British Acupuncture Council

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy involves the use of pure aromatic oils taken from various plants. General relaxation is one way that aromatherapy can be used and oils, such as ylang ylang, camomile and lavender, appear to aid relaxation and may be helpful for some people with epilepsy.

Aromatherapy should only be given by a qualified aromatherapist. This is because some oils can trigger seizures and should therefore be avoided by people with epilepsy. These oils include rosemary, sage, hyssop, fennel and wormwood. (Note: these herbs when used in foods and drinks are perfectly safe, with the exception of wormwood, which should be avoided.)

Research carried out at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by Dr Tim Betts suggests that aromatherapy can help to control epilepsy. In some people, whose seizures begin with a warning, breathing in the scent of the aromatic oils at the start of the warning can reduce the chance, or severity, of an epileptic attack.

• For further information about aromatherapy, contact the International Federation of Aromatherapists.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback works on the principle that you can learn to control body processes which were previously thought to be entirely involuntary. Using an electroencephalogram (EEG) you are able to see the activity of your brain on a computer screen and through various methods are able to alter your brain activity.

Although it can certainly be effective for some people, biofeedback training requires a lot of time and dedication from you and the professionals concerned. In the UK, this means it is expensive and the availability of biofeedback on the National Health Service is very scarce.

Herbal Treatments

There are different types of herbal treatments available, for example, general herbal medications and Chinese herbal medicines. Herbal treatment uses plants as a cure to treat the whole person. Limited research has shown that herbal treatments may be be helpful as a complementary treatment for epilepsy.

However it is important to bear in mind that certain herbal remedies may trigger seizures for some people or interact with anti-epileptic medication. Therefore it is advisable to discuss any herbal remedies with your own doctor before starting treatment. You may also wish to ask your pharmacist or a herbalist for advice.

• For further information about herbal treatments in the UK, contact the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, or Anglo Chinese Medicine Doctor Society.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a treatment that aims to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. It concentrates on treating the person rather than the disease. Epilepsy Action is not aware of any studies of homeopathic remedies as a treatment for epilepsy, but some individuals have found that it has helped their epilepsy.

• For further information about homeopathy in the UK, contact the British Homeopathic Association

This section is only brief - if you require further information or the therapy you are considering is not mentioned here, Epilepsy Action may hold further details or be able to give you contact information. Contact the Epilepsy Helpline, freephone 0808 800 5050, or helpline@epilepsy.org.uk