Complementary treatments and epilepsy

Complementary therapies versus alternative therapies

A complementary therapy is a treatment you can use alongside mainstream medical treatment. Mainstream medical treatment includes any epilepsy medicines you have been prescribed.

Some of these therapies are used as alternative therapies. This means they are used instead of conventional medical treatment. We don’t recommend using any treatments listed on this page instead of your usual epilepsy medicines.

Can complementary therapies treat epilepsy?

There is not enough scientific evidence to say that complementary therapies can reduce seizures in epilepsy. So there are no complementary therapies that are officially recommended as a treatment for people with epilepsy.

But some complementary therapies have been found to help reduce stress, which can trigger seizures for many people with epilepsy. There is also some evidence to suggest that these treatments can improve our general health and wellbeing.

Most complementary therapies are not available on the NHS. This means you will need to pay for treatment.

Are complementary therapies regulated?

There is no professional statutory regulation for complementary therapies in the UK, apart from chiropractic. Chiropractic is a treatment where a practitioner uses their hands to help relieve problems with the bones, muscles and joints (see below).

This means that people can practise most complementary therapies legally without any qualifications.

Many types of complementary therapies have professional associations. These only accept practitioners holding relevant qualifications. They must also practise to certain standards. We have listed the most relevant professional associations for each complementary therapy on this page.

Always use a qualified, insured complementary therapist. It may be helpful to tell them about your epilepsy, any other conditions you have or if you are pregnant.

Acupuncture and epilepsy

Acupuncture treatment involves inserting very fine needles into certain points in your body. These needles stimulate nerves under your skin and in your muscles. This helps your body produce natural pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals make you feel good.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) only recommends acupuncture for:

• Chronic, long-term pain
• Chronic tension headaches
• Migraine

Some studies suggest that acupuncture can be a helpful treatment for epilepsy when combined with your usual epilepsy medicine. But there is not enough good quality evidence to be sure.

Acupuncture is sometimes available on the NHS, although access is limited. Most people pay for private acupuncture treatment. Speak to your epilepsy specialist or GP before trying acupuncture.

The British Acupuncture Council has more information about acupuncture. This includes a list of qualified acupuncturists.

Aromatherapy and epilepsy

Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils from plants to promote good health. Some research has shown that aromatherapy can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Many essential oils are available to buy in health shops and on the internet. But this doesn’t mean they are all safe to use.

There has not been much research into the effects of essential oils on people with epilepsy. So we don’t know how safe they are to use. A small number of people have had seizures after coming into contact with essential oils, but this is mostly when people have swallowed them.

Some people have had seizures after using essential oils on their skin. It’s thought that essential oils containing camphor or eucalyptus might be more likely to trigger a seizure. Camphor is found in different essential oils, like rosemary oil.

It’s important to follow the instructions on the label when you use essential oils.

Speak to your GP, epilepsy specialist nurse or pharmacist before you use any essential oils. The International Federation of Aromatherapists has more information about aromatherapy.

Biofeedback therapy and epilepsy

Biofeedback therapy is a type of mind-body therapy in which you learn to control bodily processes that you can’t usually control. This includes muscle tension, blood pressure, or heart rate.

During biofeedback you are attached to electrical pads that give information about your body. Your therapist uses that information to give you techniques to control your body.

There are different types of biofeedback therapy. Neurofeedback, or Electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback therapy measures brain activity. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) biofeedback therapy measures electrical changes in the skin.

Some studies have shown that these types of biofeedback therapy can reduce seizures for some people with epilepsy. But there is not enough evidence to recommend biofeedback therapy as a treatment for epilepsy. It is not available on the NHS.

The Mayo Clinic website has more information about biofeedback.

Chiropractic treatment and epilepsy

There is very little evidence about using chiropractic as a treatment for epilepsy. Chiropractic can help with pain in muscles and joints.

It is not widely available on the NHS. You can ask your GP what is available. But they are more likely to refer you for physiotherapy if you need hands-on treatment.

Chiropractic is regulated by the General Chiropractic Council. You can use their website to find a registered chiropractor near you.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and epilepsy

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy involves using side to side eye movements combined with talking therapy.

EMDR is currently only recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

There has not been a lot of research about EMDR and epilepsy, so we don’t know if it can reduce seizures or trigger them.

You can find an accredited EMDR therapist on the EMDR Association UK website

Herbal remedies and epilepsy

Herbal remedies and medicines have active ingredients made from plant parts. But being natural doesn’t mean they are safe.

There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend herbal medicines as a treatment for epilepsy.

Herbal medicines can have an effect on the body, just like prescribed or over-the-counter medicines. This means they can cause:

• Problems if you’re taking other medicines
• Bad reactions
• Side effects

For example, St John’s Wort is a herbal remedy used for mild depression. It is not recommended for people with epilepsy. This is because it may affect how well your epilepsy medicines work.

Speak to your epilepsy specialist before taking any herbal medicine.

The NHS website has more information about herbal medicines.

Hypnotherapy and epilepsy

Hypnotherapy is when you are led into a deeply relaxed state by a therapist to help change how you feel and act. This may be to change habits, such as quitting smoking, or to treat phobias or conditions.

Hypnotherapy is currently only recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.

There is some scientific evidence that hypnotherapy can help with things like:

• Pain
• Menopause symptoms
• Anxiety and stress.

But there is not enough evidence to recommend hypnotherapy as a treatment for epilepsy.

Hypnotherapy involves leading you into a deeply relaxed state. It is also possible you may feel drowsy after therapy. So you may decide hypnotherapy is not suitable if your seizures tend to happen when you are very relaxed or during sleep.

Speak to your epilepsy specialist before trying hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is not usually available on the NHS, so you may need to pay for private treatment.

NHS recommends you to:

• Choose someone with a healthcare background, such as a doctor, psychologist or counsellor
• Check they are registered with an organisation that’s accredited by the Professional Standards Authority
• If you are looking for a therapist for your child, make sure they’re trained to work with children

Tell your hypnotherapist about your epilepsy so they know how to help if you do have a seizure. You should also tell them about any other conditions you have or if you are pregnant.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has more information about hypnosis and hypnotherapy.

Massage and epilepsy

Massage is a hands-on therapy that aims to ease tension, help you relax and promote wellbeing. There are lots of different types of massage. Most involve a therapist using techniques such as stroking, kneading, rolling and pressing of the skin and muscles.

There is no evidence about massage as a treatment for epilepsy. But studies have shown that massage can help reduce stress. Stress can be a seizure trigger for some people.

There is no evidence that having a massage could trigger a seizure. But it may be helpful to tell your massage therapist that you have epilepsy. You can also ask if they use any essential oils and if so, what type. Some of these are not recommended for people with epilepsy. For example, it’s thought that essential oils containing camphor or eucalyptus might be more likely to trigger a seizure. Camphor is found in different essential oils, like rosemary oil.

Massage therapy is sometimes offered as part of physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can help with any movement problems due to illness or injury.

Physiotherapy is available through the NHS or privately. The NHS has more information about accessing physiotherapy.

The Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council has details of local massage therapists.

Medical cannabis and epilepsy

Medical cannabis is any sort of cannabis-based medicine used to ease symptoms. Epidyolex is a cannabis-based medicine approved for treating epilepsy in the UK. This is available on the NHS.

Some products that claim to be medical cannabis are available to buy from health shops. For example, CBD (cannabidiol) or hemp oil. CBD is a chemical substance found in cannabis that has medical benefits. It will not get you high, because it does not contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the chemical in cannabis that makes you high.

But there is no guarantee that these products are good quality. They also tend to contain very small amounts of CBD. So it’s not clear what effect they would have.

Find out more about medical cannabis.

Mindfulness and epilepsy

Mindfulness is about paying attention to what is going on inside and around us in the present moment. It typically uses breathing exercises to find a steady rhythm. The idea is that this can help us understand ourselves better, help us enjoy the world around us and improve mental wellbeing.

It may help to reduce stress or anxiety. These are seizure triggers for some people with epilepsy.

At this point, there is not enough scientific evidence to say whether mindfulness can help treat epilepsy. But there is evidence that relaxation exercises can reduce depression, improve sleep and quality of life in people with epilepsy.

Speak to your epilepsy specialist or nurse before you try mindfulness if you have any concerns.

Mindfulness-based therapies are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a way to treat mild depression.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has more information about mindfulness meditation and stress management for people with epilepsy.

Music therapy and epilepsy

Music therapy uses different instruments and types of music to improve emotional wellbeing.

Some research has found that listening to music by Mozart can reduce seizures. This is called the Mozart effect. There is not enough evidence to prove this works.

Music therapy is a safe complementary therapy to try for most people with epilepsy.

But a very small number of people have a type of epilepsy called musicogenic epilepsy. This is a type of reflex seizure, which is triggered by listening to music. Speak to your epilepsy specialist before trying music therapy if you have musicogenic epilepsy.

The British Association for Music Therapy website has more information on music therapy.

Reflexology and epilepsy

Reflexology is a type of massage that focuses on applying pressure to the hands or feet.

One research study has suggested that using reflexology alongside epilepsy medicines may help reduce seizures. But there is currently not enough evidence to know this for sure.

The Association of Reflexologists has more information about reflexology.

TENS machines and epilepsy

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine is a battery-operated device. It is used to reduce pain and muscle spasms. It is also sometimes used to reduce pain during labour.

The machine has pads that you put onto your skin. The machine then sends out tiny electrical impulses to block pain signals sent from your body to your brain.

For most people, TENS is a safe treatment with no side effects as long as they are used properly. But the NHS recommends that people with epilepsy speak to their medical professional before using a TENS machine.

Yoga and epilepsy

Yoga is an activity focused on movement and breathing exercises.

There is not enough evidence to recommend yoga as a treatment for epilepsy on its own. But some studies have found that yoga may help control seizures alongside medical treatment.

Yoga can improve your general health and wellbeing by helping you relax and reduce stress. Stress can trigger seizures for some people. Yoga can also help strengthen your muscles.

If you take part in yoga classes, you can tell the person leading the class that you have epilepsy and how they can help if you have a seizure. You could also do a safety check. This may also be useful if you do yoga at home.

Find out about more sports, exercise and leisure activities that you can do safely with epilepsy.

Vitamins and minerals and epilepsy

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. You should get what you need by having a healthy, balanced diet. Some people may need to take vitamin supplements (tablets).

Vitamin D

Some epilepsy medicines can reduce bone density, which can make bones weaker. This increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. Going through menopause can also increase this risk.

Having a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium can help strengthen your bones.

Calcium-rich foods include:

• leafy green vegetables
• dried fruit
• tofu
• dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yoghurt

Good dietary sources of vitamin D include:

• oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
• red meat
• liver
• egg yolks
• fortified foods, such as most fat spreads and some breakfast cereals

You can also get vitamin D from sunlight. But the sun isn’t very strong during autumn and winter. It can also be difficult to get enough vitamin D from foods alone.

All adults and children over 4 years old are recommended to take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.

Speak to your GP or epilepsy specialist if you have any concerns about bone health.