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

Archive for the 'Magnets' Category

Static magnets and copper fail to improve arthritis

Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

MAGNETIC-BRACELET-150x150Folklore remedies for pain and inflammation support these bracelets to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers at The University of York, in the UK studied their effects. (more…)

Review: CAM options for carpel tunnel syndrome

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

Aside from surgery, splinting, exercises, and other alternative therapies have been used.

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Noninvasive brain stimulation to treat chronic pain

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

In this Cochrane review, researchers in Australia and the UK evaluated the evidence for directly altering brain activity with electrical stimulation to reduce chronic pain. (more…)

Electromagnetic therapy for venous leg ulcers

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, reviewed this common, chronic, recurring condition, which has a prevalence in the UK of 1.5 to 3 per 1000 and is estimated to cost the NHS £400m ($720m; €600m) a year. (more…)

Relaxation therapy to manage hot flushes

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

The Cochrane Library has reviewed allopathic and CAM nonhormonal options. (more…)

CAM for spinal cord injury pain

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Researchers at the University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat, in The Netherlands surveyed the use of CAM in a large group of Dutch patients with spinal cord injury. (more…)

Making the connection between static magnets and TMS

Monday, April 12th, 2010

The Mayo Clinic Health Letter makes the connection between static magnets and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

You’ll have to subscribe to read the whole article, but it’s interesting that Mayo places both treatments in the same category. (more…)

CAM for neuropathic and neuralgic pain

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Ineffective magnetic bracelets

Monday, October 19th, 2009

MAGNETIC BRACELETPeople tend to buy them when they’re in a lot of pain. Then, when the pain eases over time they attribute the change to the device.

But researchers from the University of York, in the UK report they are “generally ineffective for managing pain, stiffness, and physical function in osteoarthritis.” (more…)

CAM for myofascial trigger points and pain syndrome

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Researchers from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto reviewed the evidence for complementary therapies. (more…)

The NCCAM view of CAM for fibromyalgia

Friday, July 11th, 2008

The National Center for CAM (NCCAM) has summarized the state of the science. (more…)

Evidence does not support static magnets for pain relief

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

One exception might be osteoarthritis. (more…)

Magnets to treat major depression

Friday, December 21st, 2007

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was effective and safe in this study from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. (more…)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation for acute treatment of major depression

Friday, November 23rd, 2007

It might be an option for people with major depression who have not responded to conventional antidepressant medications. (more…)

Magnets for lower back pain?

Tuesday, September 4th, 2007

My thought about this study is that considering the academic and research “pedigree” of the authors (ie, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM], National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, and Columbia University), why did they settle for such a rudimentary study design?

When you get to the end of this post, consider if this study advanced the state of our knowledge on this topic. (more…)

Comparing CAM options to treat osteoarthritis knee pain

Saturday, September 1st, 2007

And how they compare to the fentanyl (Duragesic) patch. (more…)

Attitudes of pharmacy faculty and students toward CAM

Saturday, April 14th, 2007

Overall, they are positive, at least at the University of Minnesota. (more…)

The use of homeopathy among celebrities

Saturday, December 23rd, 2006

I was surprised to learn of the popularity of homeopathy among today’s luminaries.

Here’s a list.

(more…)

Prevalence of diabetes in the US in 2006

Saturday, November 18th, 2006

The Centers for Disease Control has just published the latest data on the prevalence of diabetes in the US.

  • 11% of adults aged 40 to 59 years
  • 23% of those 60 and older have diabetes

Is it any wonder that so many CAM therapies are studied in people with diabetes?

A quick listing of CAM entries for diabetes on this blog is provided below. Or, click the button on the right sidebar to see all of the diabetes entries.

(more…)

Magnetic stimulation lowers use of pain meds following gastric bypass surgery

Sunday, October 1st, 2006

I love the studies on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). It’s magnet therapy for the 21st century — sort of.

Here’s why the results of this latest study are important.

(more…)