Who cleans the yoga mats?
During a cruise last spring I took some classes in Pilates. We used blue spongy yoga mats, and I remember...
Are degrees in homeopathy unjustified?
Over the past decade, several British universities have offered bachelor of science (BSc) degrees in alternative medicine, including 6 that...
Acupuncture after spontaneous rupture of membranes at term of pregnancy
In an earlier entry the growing list of studies supporting the role of acupuncture in pregnancy clinics was summarized. Now,...
How long does it take to get a CAM to market?
In a previous post I quoted from a Chinese medicine website that proclaimed “after sifting through more than 1,000 plants...
Determining the best options to evaluate CAM
A special issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies questions the validity of evidence-based medicine (EBM) for evaluating CAM.
Positive results with peppermint oil to treat irritable bowel syndrome
In general, past entries on this topic were positive, although peppermint oil gets a “C” rating (inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented...
Time to Talk
To encourage discussions about CAM, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is offering free materials for doctors...
Marijuana available from vending machines in California
Here’s a CBS video on the subject. It saddens me, but it’s instructive regarding the bias at CBS. Notice there’s...
Spinning the effect of marijuana abuse in schizophrenics
NORML, the medical marijuana advocacy group, thinks this is a positive study. I don’t see it that way.
Response to Ayurvedic herbal supplements among 9/11 survivors
Here are the results of a study of Ayurvedic herbal treatment for health problems caused by exposure to the toxic...
A. ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEMSAcupuncture/ pressureB. MANIPULATIVE METHODSChiropracticExerciseJ. CONDITIONS TO TREATMassagePainYoga
Allopathic recommendations for non-drug treatment of low back pain
Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland have published an article on the evidence supporting treatment guidelines from...
Trying to make cookies and potato chips healthier
Researchers are studying the potential of snacks as vehicles to deliver more eicosapentaenoic acid, (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and...
Negative results with statins; so let’s review CAM for Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have reported, “no relation between statin use and the risk of Alzheimer’s...
US News and World Report on CAM integration
At the US News website, Avery Comarow has a positive report on CAM use in US hospitals.
Medical students in Wales want more education on CAM
In 2000, the House of Lords Select Committee’s Report on CAM recommended familiarization with CAM for medical students and doctors....
Using dan shen to treat stroke
Dan shen (Red sage, salvia miltiorrhiza, and radix salvis mitiorhiza) is an herbal medicine used to treat acute ischemic stroke...
Anxiety (Panic)/DepressionArt, Music, DanceCOPDHIV/AIDSKnee ReplacementPainPalliative/End of LifeRelaxation
Music therapy in gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures
Dr. Dan Rudin from Statin Island University Hospital in New York looked at past studies and concluded it’s a “safe...
Linolenic acid lowers the risk of peripheral neuropathy in diabetics
Alpha-linolenic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid found in many vegetable oils, including flaxseed, walnuts, and canola oil. Researchers from...
More negative news for cinnamon and diabetes
Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Hartford Hospital in Connecticut reviewed the literature and found no benefits.