Researchers from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP in Brazil report that acupuncture was useful for improving movement, reducing lymphoedema (swelling and accumulation of lymph around the lymph nodes), and reducing heaviness and tightness in the upper arm of patients with breast cancer. Continue reading Acupuncture and breast cancer rehabilitation
Category Archives: Acupuncture/ pressure
A complementary role for acupuncture in heartburn
Adding acupuncture is more effective than doubling the proton pump inhibitor drug (PPI) dose in controlling gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms in patients who failed standard-dose PPI. Continue reading A complementary role for acupuncture in heartburn
Sterile water injection vs acupuncture for pain relief during labor
There’s evidence to support the use of either treatment, but which is better. Continue reading Sterile water injection vs acupuncture for pain relief during labor
Regulating CAM in the UK
Medical News Today reports that the Department of Health Steering Group recommends to regulate acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.
It’s recommended that this happen as soon as possible. Continue reading Regulating CAM in the UK
The status of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia
“At this time, the benefits of acupuncture for treating fibromyalgia remain unclear and require well designed controlled trials to identify its potential role,” concludes Dr. Daniel Rooks from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston in a review on Medscape.
Here’s a summary of his review.
Continue reading The status of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia
Pain management during labor: Is there a role for CAM?
Actually, it hasn’t been studied very much.
But here’s what we know so far.
Continue reading Pain management during labor: Is there a role for CAM?
CAM for cancer survivors: The Sloan-Kettering view
Three members of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City have published their views. Continue reading CAM for cancer survivors: The Sloan-Kettering view
CAM preferences among children with chronic pain
You won’t be surprised to learn that pain of longer duration and greater impairment make children more willing to use CAM.
But which CAM options do they choose? Continue reading CAM preferences among children with chronic pain
Is acupuncture beneficial in depression?
Researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine in China searched the medical literature to find out. Continue reading Is acupuncture beneficial in depression?
Massage for what ails ya
Beliefnet lists 9 forms of massage. How many can you name? Continue reading Massage for what ails ya
Acupuncture in head and neck cancer
This is the second study in a week to report a positive effect in patients with head and neck cancer complicated by xerostomia (abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva). Continue reading Acupuncture in head and neck cancer
Extensive review of fibromyalgia
Dr. Daniel Clauw from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has published a continuing education review on Medscape, with recommendations for CAM. Continue reading Extensive review of fibromyalgia
Acupuncture in head and neck cancer
During the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, Dr. David Pfister from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City reported that following surgery, acupuncture reduced pain, dysfunction, and dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients. Continue reading Acupuncture in head and neck cancer
Acupuncture for repetitive use arm pain
This study failed to find evidence of its effectiveness, according to researchers at Cambridge Health Alliance in the UK. Continue reading Acupuncture for repetitive use arm pain
Acupuncture in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis awaiting knee replacement
Researchers from The Great Western Hospital in the UK report that acupuncture achieved short-term improvement in function. Continue reading Acupuncture in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis awaiting knee replacement
Acupuncture for treating knee osteoarthritis: Does it work?
A group of reviewers from the US and Europe concluded, “Because acupuncture may have small short-term effects, some clinicians and patients may consider acupuncture as one treatment option in a multidisciplinary approach to treating knee osteoarthritis.” Continue reading Acupuncture for treating knee osteoarthritis: Does it work?
Comparing electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture
David Mayor is the editor of the book, Electroacupuncture: A Practical Manual and Resource. In The Journal of Chinese Medicine he reviews electroacupuncture and its use to treat peripheral facial paralysis.
I found his comparison between acupuncture and electroacupuncture instructive. Continue reading Comparing electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture
A philosophy for treating chronic pain
The Journal of the American Medical Association has an article in their Clinical Crossroads series by Dr. James Rathmell that presents a case history of a 50-year-old man with chronic back pain. Dr. Rathmell is Director of the Center for Pain Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
I’ve focused on his thoughts as they relate to non-pharmacologic treatment options and his philosophy on treating the chronic pain patient. Continue reading A philosophy for treating chronic pain
Debating acupuncture’s benefits in stroke recovery
Acupuncture is not better than placebo, according to researchers at Aldermoor Health Centre in Southampton, UK. Continue reading Debating acupuncture’s benefits in stroke recovery
CAM use during the phases of cancer care
Musculoskeletal complaints top the list of reasons people with cancer seek CAM care, according to researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle. Continue reading CAM use during the phases of cancer care