Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland have published an article on the evidence supporting treatment guidelines from the American Pain Society and American College of Physicians. Continue reading Allopathic recommendations for non-drug treatment of low back pain
Category Archives: Acupuncture/ pressure
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. Continue reading US News and World Report on CAM integration
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.
According to this article, little has been done. But it confirms an interest in greater exposure to CAM education among medical students in Wales. Continue reading Medical students in Wales want more education on CAM
Acupuncture for children
Researchers from Los Angeles reviewed the literature and found acupuncture holds promise but,… surprise … more research is needed.
Here’s what we know today. Continue reading Acupuncture for children
Acupuncture does not reduce the active phase of labor in pregnant women
The women liked the treatment, but it didn’t speed labor. Continue reading Acupuncture does not reduce the active phase of labor in pregnant women
Acupuncture for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain
Researchers from the University of Science in Malaysia report improvement in symptoms lasting up to 24 weeks. Continue reading Acupuncture for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain
Is acupuncture a complement to or substitute for medical services?
It’s an important question for insurers, healthcare practitioners, and policy makers, say researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.
Here’s what they found. Continue reading Is acupuncture a complement to or substitute for medical services?
A role for acupuncture in breast cancer treatment
As many as one-half of patients with breast cancer experience chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction (eg, perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning).
They are often interested in using acupuncture for symptom relief. But is it worth the effort? Continue reading A role for acupuncture in breast cancer treatment
Effects of acupuncture plus relaxation response on quality of life in HIV
Treatment advances have transformed HIV/AIDS into a chronic manageable disease in which quality of life has become an important health outcome.
This study by researchers from Boston University reports on the benefits of combined relaxation response achieved using soft music plus acupuncture in patients with HIV/AIDS. Continue reading Effects of acupuncture plus relaxation response on quality of life in HIV
Another look at acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis
Earlier this year, a review of CAM for rheumatoid arthritis concluded that despite earlier positive reports, marked differences among studies precluded recommendations for a specific acupuncture treatment course.
Now, there’s another study. Continue reading Another look at acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis
Update on acupuncture treatment for hot flashes
There are more than 475 million menopausal women in the world. And as if that’s not scary enough, it can last 6 to 13 years and lead to side effects such as night sweats and hot flashes. Up to 75% of menopausal women experience some form of hot flashes.
A small study in England in 2003 found that acupuncture reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes in 47 women treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer. The mean reduction in hot flashes was 42% at the end of 8 treatments, and 34% at 1-month following the last treatment.
But wait!
Continue reading Update on acupuncture treatment for hot flashes
Where is the evidence for acupuncture to treat substance abuse?
The article starts by asserting, “There is increasing clinical acceptance of acupuncture as a treatment of substance-related disorders.” That’s why these researchers compared it to — of all things — “aromatherapy in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.”
But where’s the evidence?
Continue reading Where is the evidence for acupuncture to treat substance abuse?
Should we judge CAM by how the patient feels or by the change in the lab value?
Here’s a study of the effectiveness of usual mainstream medical care for acute low back pain with and without the option for patients to add acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage to their treatment.
It comes from the Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies at the Osher Institute in Boston.
Continue reading Should we judge CAM by how the patient feels or by the change in the lab value?
Teaching CAM in allopathic and osteopathic medical schools
Yes, they teach CAM at osteopathic and allopathic medical schools.
This survey concludes we need less advocacy and more reliance on evidence-based medicine (ie, combining research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values).
Continue reading Teaching CAM in allopathic and osteopathic medical schools
The place for acupuncture in treating tennis elbow
Physicians from the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho in Boise have published a review of the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in American Family Physician.
Several CAM options are discussed. Let’s focus on acupuncture. Continue reading The place for acupuncture in treating tennis elbow
Treating primary dysmenorrhea with Chinese herbal medicine
The Cochrane Library tells us, “Conventional treatment for primary dysmenorrhea (PD) has a failure rate of 20% to 25% and may be contraindicated or not tolerated by some women. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may be a suitable alternative.” Continue reading Treating primary dysmenorrhea with Chinese herbal medicine
Acupuncture and pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization
Acupuncture appears to be a common complementary option in fertility clinics.
This study from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey concludes, “Acupuncture performed twice weekly during the follicular and luteal phase does not seem to improve pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).” Continue reading Acupuncture and pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization
New review of acupuncture safety
A reader noticed that the link was bad, so I added a new link to the article. “Acupuncture is a very safe treatment in the hands of competent practitioners.”
That’s the conclusion from 2 surveys of acupuncturists in the UK.
The status of acupuncture to treat migraine
Several years ago, a Cochrane review concluded, “Overall, the existing evidence supports the value of acupuncture for the treatment of idiopathic headaches. However, the quality and amount of evidence are not fully convincing.”
In the past year, 2 studies and another literature review have provided further support for acupuncture to reduce the risk of migraine. Continue reading The status of acupuncture to treat migraine
Integrating CAM into traditional cancer treatments in Chicago
The Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush University Medical Center focuses on dealing with the emotional, psychological, and spiritual effects of cancer. Continue reading Integrating CAM into traditional cancer treatments in Chicago