The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Archive for the 'Leeches' Category

    Leeches to treat tennis elbow

    Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

    Chronic epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a painful condition with few treatments.  It’s caused by overuse of the extensor muscles of the forearm.

    Researchers in Germany tested whether leech therapy might provide symptomatic relief. (more…)

    Leeches, Pain | Comments Off on Leeches to treat tennis elbow

    Maggots, and leeches, and honey, oh my!

    Friday, August 8th, 2008

    In this time of MRSA (methacillin-resistant Staph aureus) skin infections, Medscape reviews 3 CAM wound treatment options.

    Here are the highlights. (more…)

    Honey (incl Medihoney), Infection, Larval (Maggot) Tx, Leeches | Comments Off on Maggots, and leeches, and honey, oh my!

    Blood-sucking leeches treat osteoarthritis

    Thursday, April 17th, 2008

    Two reports from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany support the role of leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. The first included 16 patients who, in addition to other treatments, received four medicinal leeches on the inflamed knee for 80 minutes. The response was compared to 6 patients given conventional pain treatment. The second study was of similar design in 51 patients.

    (more…)

    Leeches, Osteoarthritis | Comments Off on Blood-sucking leeches treat osteoarthritis