Be Our Partner! Book a Free Consultation Now! Become a Member > Get Involved >
Health Conditions > Health Articles > Find a Practitioner > Events >

Home  /  Health Conditions  /  Brain, Nerves & Movement  /  Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

A rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves, causing weakness and tingling that can spread quickly, often from the legs upward. It is treated in hospital, and most people recover — but weakness that is spreading, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, needs emergency care.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 for weakness or tingling that is spreading quickly, any trouble breathing or swallowing, or weakness in both legs that is getting worse over hours or days. The GBS|CIDP Foundation advises calling 911 for sudden, rapid weakness, tingling or paralysis, especially with trouble breathing or swallowing (GBS|CIDP Foundation).

What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome (said “ghee-YAN bah-RAY”), or GBS, is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, which carry signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body (NINDS). In the most common type the attack damages myelin, the insulating sheath around nerve fibers; in other types the nerve fibers themselves are damaged. GBS is not contagious and is not inherited (NINDS).

Symptoms

GBS begins suddenly. Some cases are mild, with only brief weakness; others lead to near-total paralysis (NINDS). Common signs include:

  • Weakness that rises. It often starts in the feet and moves up to the legs, arms, face and breathing muscles. People may first notice trouble climbing stairs or walking (NINDS). In some variants the weakness stays in one area, such as the face or the legs (ten-step guideline).
  • Tingling, pins and needles, numbness or pain, sometimes a deep ache in the back or legs; pain can be severe, especially at night. Young children may refuse to walk (NINDS).
  • In classic GBS, reflexes such as the knee jerk are reduced or lost (ten-step guideline).
  • Trouble swallowing, speaking, chewing or moving the eyes; unsteadiness; an abnormal heart rate or blood pressure; and bowel or bladder problems (NINDS).

By the third week, 90% of people are at their weakest (NINDS).

What triggers it?

The exact cause is unknown (NINDS). About two in three people had diarrhea or a respiratory illness before GBS began (CDC).

How common is it?

GBS is rare. CDC estimates that about 3,000 to 6,000 people develop it each year in the United States (CDC, CDC) — about 1 to 2 out of every 100,000 people (CDC). Anyone can get it, but it is more common in men and in people over 50 (CDC).

Variants: Miller Fisher syndrome

Miller Fisher syndrome mainly affects the nerves of the head: the eye muscles become weak or paralyzed, balance and coordination suffer, and reflexes are lost (NINDS). It can overlap with the classic form (ten-step guideline).

How it’s diagnosed

GBS can be hard to diagnose early (NINDS). Doctors look for weakness on both sides of the body, note how fast it came on and check reflexes (NINDS). A recent bout of diarrhea or a respiratory infection makes GBS more likely (EAN/PNS guideline). Tests can include:

  • Nerve conduction studies (often with electromyography, or EMG), which measure how well nerves carry signals; in GBS the signals are slowed (NINDS).
  • A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to test the fluid around the spinal cord, which in GBS typically has more protein but few immune cells (NINDS); protein can be normal in the first week or two (ten-step guideline).
  • MRI (not routine, but helpful in some cases) and blood tests to rule out other causes, such as nerve root compression, inflammation of the spinal cord, or metabolic and electrolyte problems (ten-step guideline).

Why it’s treated in hospital

GBS can worsen rapidly and can be fatal (ten-step guideline), so it is treated as a medical emergency. People are usually admitted, often to intensive care, so the team can act quickly (NINDS). Three dangers drive this:

Most people recover fully, but some have permanent nerve damage, and some people have died from GBS (CDC) — see Recovery and rehabilitation below.

CIDP: a related, longer-lasting condition

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) also happens when the immune system attacks the myelin around nerves; it causes weakness and reduced feeling in the arms and legs that build up over time (NINDS). Unlike GBS, which usually peaks and then improves after one episode, CIDP is chronic and may relapse, often needing ongoing treatment (GBS|CIDP Foundation). If weakness keeps getting worse for more than 8 weeks, doctors consider CIDP rather than GBS; about 5% of people first diagnosed with GBS turn out to have it (ten-step guideline, EAN/PNS guideline). See also our Nerve Damage and Wheelchair Users guides; a Paraplegia guide is on the way.

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Hospital admission and close monitoring of breathing, heart rate and blood pressure; IVIG or plasma exchange; a ventilator if needed; pain medicines; prevention of blood clots and other complications; then physical and occupational therapy. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient therapy (20% after the deductible). IVIG commonly runs about $5,000–$15,000+ per infusion before insurance, and plasma exchange is priced per session (see below). National cash listings put a physical therapy treatment visit at about $42–$179 per session, and an initial evaluation at about $95–$308 (The Pricer, August 2026). For hospital stays, Medicare.gov says that in 2026 you pay the Part A deductible ($1,736) for each benefit period and then $0 a day for days 1–60, $434 a day for days 61–90 and $868 a day for each of your 60 lifetime reserve days. Medicare’s procedure price lookup (2026 national averages) shows the patient paying on average about $185 at an ambulatory surgical center or $333 in a hospital outpatient department for plasma exchange (therapeutic apheresis for plasma pheresis); these are outpatient figures. Still unpriced: intensive care and ventilator care, nerve tests and rehabilitation stays. Other costs: being researched. IVIG and plasma exchange are equally effective and speed recovery; steroids don’t help. Most people recover, though some keep weakness, numbness, fatigue or pain.
Chiropractic No role in acute GBS. Later in recovery, at most gentle musculoskeletal care with your neurologist’s clearance. Not applicable. We found no studies of chiropractic care for GBS. GBS can start with back, neck or shoulder pain, so new weakness or tingling needs a doctor first. MBHA advises against forceful manipulation while muscles are weak.
Acupuncture Fine needles, sometimes added to standard hospital treatment for weakness, numbness or pain. About $125–$230 for a first private visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90. We found little research: one non-randomized 2026 study and case reports. It is not known whether acupuncture helps GBS. Never a substitute for IVIG or plasma exchange.
Herbal medicine No herb or supplement treats GBS. We found no price range we can cite for herbal consultations or herbal products, so we give none. These are usually paid out of pocket, and prices vary widely by practitioner and product. NCCIH suggests asking your insurer whether an approach is covered (and whether it needs a referral or an in-network practitioner), asking the practitioner what the first and follow-up visits cost and whether there is a sliding scale, and asking what other costs apply, such as tests and supplements; health savings or flexible spending accounts may help with some costs. During the acute illness, take nothing without the hospital team’s agreement. Some herbs interact with medicines, such as blood thinners.
Massage therapy Gentle massage during recovery for muscle aches and stiffness, cleared by your care team. At one national chain, about $125–$160 for a 60-minute massage for non-members and $65–$90 for members; memberships about $70–$90 a month. May ease discomfort, but evidence for GBS is limited to one case report. Keep it gentle; it doesn’t treat the nerve damage.
MBHA Wellness Coach Paced return to activity, fatigue management, home safety and fall prevention, emotional recovery, caregiver support and connection with the GBS|CIDP Foundation. Included with a paid MBHA membership: a monthly wellness coaching email from a certified Holistic Health & Lifestyle Coach and a complimentary Clarity Call (based on availability). Membership is $150 a year for one adult ($15 a month if billed monthly), $200 a year for a couple and $250 a year for a household with dependents; the free tier has occasional email tips only. Members also get discounted rates on one-on-one coaching and group programs (current rates are not published on the membership page, so ask MBHA). Coaching is educational and motivational, not healthcare. Supports — never replaces — your medical and rehabilitation team. Fatigue, anxiety and depression are common after GBS and can be helped.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

There is no cure for GBS, but some treatments reduce its severity and shorten recovery, and the team treats complications as the nerves heal (NINDS). We don’t list doses here.

1. Hospital monitoring

Care usually starts in the hospital, often the intensive care unit, with close tracking of muscle strength, breathing and heart rate (NINDS). Guidelines advise regular checks of breathing, swallowing and coughing, plus heart-rhythm tracing, blood pressure and bowel and bladder function (ten-step guideline).

2. IVIG or plasma exchange

Two treatments interrupt the immune attack, and both are equally effective if started within two weeks of symptoms (NINDS):

  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) — antibodies pooled from thousands of healthy donors, given through a vein (NINDS).
  • Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) — blood is drawn through a catheter, the plasma removed and the blood cells returned with replacement fluid (NINDS).

The evidence: a 2017 Cochrane review of six trials (649 people) found moderate-quality evidence that plasma exchange gave more improvement than supportive care alone, and that full strength at one year was more likely (Cochrane review, 2017). A 2014 Cochrane review found moderate-quality evidence that, in severe GBS, IVIG started within two weeks speeds recovery as much as plasma exchange, with no more side effects, and that people are much more likely to complete an IVIG course (Cochrane review, 2014). Because IVIG is easier to give and more widely available, it is usually the first choice (ten-step guideline). In the plasma exchange trials, serious infections were not more common, but relapses in the first 6 to 12 months were slightly more likely (Cochrane review, 2017).

3. Steroids don’t help

A 2016 Cochrane review of six trials (587 people) found that steroids given alone don’t speed recovery or change the long-term outcome, and very low-quality evidence suggested steroid pills may even delay recovery (Cochrane review, 2016). The European guideline recommends against steroid pills for GBS (EAN/PNS guideline).

4. Help with breathing

Because breathing can fail, it is watched closely, and a mechanical ventilator is sometimes used to support it; with careful intensive care, even people whose breathing fails usually survive (NINDS).

5. Pain relief

Pain is common in GBS but often under-recognized (Cochrane review). The European guideline makes a weak recommendation for nerve-pain medicines — gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants or carbamazepine (EAN/PNS guideline). A 2015 Cochrane review found only three short-term trials, with very low-quality evidence that gabapentin and carbamazepine lowered pain, and not enough evidence to support any one medicine (Cochrane review, 2015).

6. Preventing blood clots and other complications

Lying in bed raises the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg veins), pressure sores and infections, and standard preventive care is recommended (ten-step guideline). Complications are best managed by a team that may include nurses, physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists and occupational therapists (ten-step guideline). If swallowing is weak, people may need special care to prevent choking and pneumonia (NINDS).

7. Rehabilitation: physical and occupational therapy

A rehabilitation program with a rehabilitation specialist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist is a crucial step toward recovery: early on it aims to reduce disability, and later to restore strength, sensation and fitness (ten-step guideline). Occupational and vocational therapy teach new ways to manage daily tasks and work and find the right equipment (NINDS). See Recovery and rehabilitation below.

What it costs

  • Physical therapy: per-session cost estimate being researched. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary outpatient physical therapy with no yearly limit; you pay 20% of the approved amount after the deductible (Medicare.gov).
  • IVIG: The Pricer, a consumer cost site, reports that IVIG commonly costs about $5,000–$15,000 or more per infusion before insurance adjustments, and that a high-dose course can exceed $20,000; what you pay depends on coverage, prior authorization and where it is given (The Pricer, IVIG cost).
  • Plasma exchange: usually priced per session. In the hospital price files The Pricer reviewed, posted cash prices for the exchange procedure itself ranged from about $660 to $5,400 per session, with supplies, labs and room charges billed separately (The Pricer, plasmapheresis cost).
  • Hospital and intensive care: cost estimate being researched. The GBS|CIDP Foundation lists financial-assistance resources (GBS|CIDP Foundation).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a licensed health profession whose treatment usually involves hands-on therapy, often spinal manipulation (NCCIH). It has no role in treating acute GBS, which needs hospital care (CDC). Our PubMed search found no studies of chiropractic care for GBS.

Back, neck or shoulder pain with new weakness or tingling needs a doctor first. GBS can begin with deep pain in the back or legs (NINDS), and published case reports describe GBS first mistaken for a spinal disc problem (case report, PubMed) or for wear-and-tear changes in the neck (case report, PubMed), and starting with neck and shoulder pain (case report, PubMed).

Later in recovery

If you later want help for aches or stiffness, get your neurologist’s clearance first, keep the care gentle, and tell the practitioner you have had GBS. Serious side effects of spinal manipulation are very rare but may be more likely in people with underlying health problems (NCCIH). As an MBHA caution, we advise against forceful manipulation while muscles are still weak; your physical therapist is the main guide to rebuilding strength.

Cost estimate being researched.

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

We found little research on acupuncture for GBS, and no randomized trials.

  • 2026 observational study: 128 hospital patients with GBS were followed for two weeks; the 58 who also had acupuncture were more likely to improve on strength and disability scores (observational study, PubMed). Patients were grouped by the treatment they received rather than randomly assigned, so the study can show a link but not that acupuncture caused the improvement.
  • A 2022 case report describes a man whose numbness and fatigue eased after four acupuncture sessions following IVIG; the authors say more robust evidence is needed (case report, PubMed).

In short: it is not known whether acupuncture helps GBS. If you want to try it, use it only alongside — never instead of — hospital treatment, and ask your neurologist first.

Safety

Cost estimate being researched.

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

No herb or supplement has been shown to treat GBS. Apart from IVIG and plasma exchange, no other treatment has been proven to work (ten-step guideline).

During the acute illness, take no supplements unless the hospital team agrees. Supplements can interact with medicines and pose risks with some medical problems, so tell your providers about everything you take (NCCIH). People with weak swallowing also need special care to prevent choking (NINDS), so nothing should be taken by mouth without the team’s say-so.

Interactions to know about

We don’t list doses here. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before trying any supplement. Cost estimate being researched.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

During recovery, gentle massage may ease muscle aches and stiffness, but we found little research on massage for GBS. A 2001 single-patient case report described aromatherapy massage used alongside nursing care for joint pain and constipation in intensive care (case report, PubMed); one case can’t show massage works.

Safety

The risk of harm from massage appears low, but rare serious problems — including a blood clot, nerve injury or bone fracture — have been reported, some with vigorous deep-tissue massage (NCCIH). Because long periods in bed raise the risk of deep vein thrombosis (ten-step guideline), check with your care team before any massage and keep it gentle. Cost estimate being researched.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

Recovery from GBS can take weeks to years (NINDS). An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you turn your rehabilitation team’s advice into daily habits — always alongside medical care, never instead of it.

A paced return to activity

Exercise programs that include range-of-motion work, cycling, walking and strength training can improve fitness, walking and independence, but intensity must be watched because overdoing it can cause fatigue (ten-step guideline). A coach can help you stick to your therapist’s plan and build in rest.

Managing fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common lasting problems after GBS. A 2025 review of 12 studies found it in about a third of people in the recovery phase (meta-analysis, PubMed). Other causes of tiredness should be checked first, and a graded, supervised exercise program has helped reduce fatigue (ten-step guideline); in a small 2022 trial, supervised exercise beat a home program (randomized trial, PubMed). Our Chronic Fatigue guide covers a different condition, ME/CFS, but its tips on planning energy may be useful.

Home safety and fall prevention

GBS can leave weakness, numbness and unsteadiness (NINDS). Remove things you could trip over, add grab bars in the bathroom and railings on both sides of stairs, and improve lighting (CDC). Occupational therapists can recommend assistive devices (NINDS). See our Balance guide.

Emotional recovery

Sudden paralysis and depending on others can be extremely hard, and some people need counseling (NINDS). A 2025 review of 19 studies found that many people have symptoms after GBS that may meet the criteria for anxiety or depression, and that these are likely underdiagnosed and undertreated (systematic review, PubMed). In a Danish study, about 1 in 5 people were diagnosed with depression or started an antidepressant within two years of GBS, with the risk highest in the first three months (cohort study, PubMed). Support groups can ease the emotional strain (NINDS). See our Anxiety and Depression guides. If you have thoughts of suicide, call or text 988; it is free, confidential and available 24/7 (988 Lifeline).

Support for caregivers

The GBS|CIDP Foundation encourages care partners to ask for and accept help before burnout, look after their own sleep and meals, and use respite and support groups; it notes that anger, fear and depression are normal reactions to a sudden illness (GBS|CIDP Foundation). People with GBS, even when fully paralyzed, usually remain fully conscious and can see and hear, so be mindful of what is said at the bedside and explain what is happening (ten-step guideline).

Connect with others

The GBS|CIDP Foundation International (gbs-cidp.org, 866-224-3301) offers information and support (NINDS, GBS|CIDP Foundation), including a community forum, a health navigator and links to specialist centers (GBS|CIDP Foundation). Meeting people who have had GBS can help guide recovery (ten-step guideline). MBHA coaching cost estimate being researched.

Another approach

Recovery and rehabilitation

Most people with GBS, even those who were fully paralyzed or needed a ventilator for a long time, recover a great deal, especially in the first year; about 60 to 80% can walk on their own six months after onset (ten-step guideline). Most people start to recover 2 to 3 weeks after symptoms begin, and recovery can take a few weeks or a few years (CDC).

Another approach

GBS and vaccines: what the evidence shows

Most cases of GBS are not linked to vaccines (CDC). Here is what CDC reports:

  • 1976 swine flu vaccine: a slightly increased risk of about one additional case for every 100,000 people vaccinated (CDC).
  • Seasonal flu vaccines: the link varies from season to season; when there has been an increased risk, it has been about 1 to 2 additional cases per million doses (CDC, CDC). Studies suggest a person is more likely to get GBS after having the flu than after a flu vaccine (CDC).
  • Other vaccines: on very rare occasions, GBS has developed in the days or weeks after certain vaccines, such as Shingrix and the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine; associations for other vaccines are being assessed (CDC). CDC found an increased risk after the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine in adults, but not after the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines (CDC).

CDC and FDA closely monitor vaccine safety (CDC), and CDC says the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks (CDC).

If you have had GBS: a past episode is not a strict reason to avoid vaccines. Experts suggest discussing it if your GBS was less than a year ago or followed the same vaccine, weighing the benefit against a small and possibly only theoretical risk (ten-step guideline). Talk with your doctor. See our Flu guide.

General wellness

Everyday comfort, sleep and energy

Many people ask what they can do day to day to feel more comfortable, sleep better and have more energy. The habits below come from public health agencies. They are general wellness habits, not treatments for Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and they do not replace your doctor’s care. They are not personal stories or testimonials.

  • Sleep habits. The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests going to bed and getting up at about the same time every day, using the hour before bed for quiet time, avoiding caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, keeping the bedroom quiet, cool and dark, and limiting naps to about 20 minutes (NHLBI).
  • Gentle movement. CDC says physical activity helps people “feel better, function better, and sleep better,” and that moderate activity such as brisk walking is generally safe for most people (CDC). Ask your doctor what kind and how much is right for you, especially if you have a heart condition, a serious illness, or pain in your joints, hips or feet.
  • Relaxation practices. Slow breathing and similar practices are generally considered safe for healthy people, and some reviews suggest they may help with stress. On their own they “don’t seem to be especially promising for sleep,” and a few people report more anxiety or intrusive thoughts, so stop and tell your provider if that happens (NCCIH).

Please note: MBHA makes no medical claims. Results vary. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor, and see a doctor about severe or lasting symptoms.

Member stories

Living with Guillain-Barré Syndrome? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

No stories have been published for this condition yet. Yours could be the first.

Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

We read every story before it’s published and may shorten it. Stories describe one person’s experience; results vary. See our Privacy Policy.

See all 25 guides in this topic  ·  Search all 203 guides

Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

Find the right practitioner

Search MBHA’s Health Directory for doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists across the Monterey Bay.

Search the Directory All Health Conditions

The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We strongly recommend that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition. MBHA provides administrative support, education and navigation — not medical, legal or tax advice — and cannot guarantee claim, billing or fundraising outcomes. MBHA is not an emergency service: in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.