 Up to two-thirds of patients with MS use CAM. Continue reading CAM use in multiple sclerosis
Category Archives: Acupuncture/ pressure
CAM use in functional bowel disorder
 One-third of these patients use CAM.
Are they dissatisfied with mainstream treatments? Continue reading CAM use in functional bowel disorder
Complementary and integrative medicine at Johns Hopkins
 The Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center opened Sept. 2nd in Baltimore, Maryland. Continue reading Complementary and integrative medicine at Johns Hopkins
More support for acupuncture in breast cancer
Researchers from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan report it reduces side effects.
The results were presented during the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology annual meeting. Continue reading More support for acupuncture in breast cancer
Acupuncture: What’s the evidence
Professor Ernst presents an overview of Cochrane reviews on acupuncture. Continue reading Acupuncture: What’s the evidence
Integrating CAM into pain management at the end of life
Dr. Perry Fine — an anesthesiologist from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City — has published an excellent review of this topic. It is essential reading for healthcare professionals as well as family and patient caregivers.
Among other issues, it provides good perspective on the role of CAM approaches to pain management in palliative care, which I have summarized here.
Continue reading Integrating CAM into pain management at the end of life
Acupuncture effective for fibromyalgia?
In this study, the addition of acupuncture to usual treatments for fibromyalgia helped control pain and improve quality of life. Continue reading Acupuncture effective for fibromyalgia?
Review of auricular acupuncture for insomnia
 Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture administered to the ear to treat sleeplessness. Continue reading Review of auricular acupuncture for insomnia
Acupuncture for pelvic and back pain in pregnancy
Researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia review the results of 3 studies. Continue reading Acupuncture for pelvic and back pain in pregnancy
Negative results: Acupuncture for in vitro fertilization
The lead author of this study is Dr. Alice Domar, an international leader in the field of mind/body medicine and women’s health. Her website states that the Domar Center offers acupuncture for pre and post embryo transfer sessions.
It will be interesting to see how these results influence that policy. Continue reading Negative results: Acupuncture for in vitro fertilization
Another review of acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis
Prof. Ernst and colleagues think more rigorous research is warranted. Continue reading Another review of acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis
Just who is Edzard Ernst?
Considering how often I quote his research and writings, it’s appropriate to present background on this researcher, author, and critic of CAM.
A reader has a different view, and comments accordingly.
Continue reading Just who is Edzard Ernst?
Recommended CAM for chronic pain
 Here are some CAM highlights for migraine and fibromyalgia from the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM) 19th Annual Clinical Meeting. Continue reading Recommended CAM for chronic pain
Acupuncture to treat insomnia
It was more effective than the benzodiazepine drug estazolam (ProSom, Eurodin) in this study by researchers at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China.
But that’s not the entire story. Continue reading Acupuncture to treat insomnia
New perspective on acupuncture for headache
As you read this summary of a study conducted at Charité Medical Centre in Berlin, consider an earlier post that presents Prof. Ernst’s view of the A + B vs B study design. Continue reading New perspective on acupuncture for headache
Acupuncture for dysphasia after stroke
Difficulty swallowing (dysphasia) after stroke occurs in up to 60% of patients, and is associated with other complications and death, particularly if it’s prolonged.
Acupuncture is used to treat this complication in China. Cochrane reviews the scientific support. Continue reading Acupuncture for dysphasia after stroke
Effect of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization
Researchers from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London have reviewed the literature. Continue reading Effect of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization
Evidence for massage to treat low-back pain
Few treatments for back pain are supported by strong scientific evidence. Conventional treatments have limited success and often result in dissatisfied patients who turn to CAM.
A review from the Cochrane Collaboration concluded, “massage might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education.”
Continue reading Evidence for massage to treat low-back pain
Acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease
The evidence is not convincing according to Prof. Ernst and colleagues from the Peninsula Medical School in the UK.
But that’s not to say that the lack of evidence is decisive. Continue reading Acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease
The NCCAM view of CAM for fibromyalgia
The National Center for CAM (NCCAM) has summarized the state of the science. Continue reading The NCCAM view of CAM for fibromyalgia