Three physicians and high-ranking officials of Cypress Bioscience, Inc. — a company focused on the pharmacotherapy of fibromyalgia — have written a detailed review of fibromyalgia (FMS).
Here’s a summary of their view of non-pharmacological therapy and future challenges. Continue reading Pharmacologists rate CAM for fibromyalgia
Known as Polyphenon E, green tea extract is made from decaffeinated green tea, and contains catechins (antioxidants). It’s approved by the FDA to treat genital warts and is being studied to treat prostate cancer.
In healthy people, might it be used to help burn fat? Continue reading The potential of green tea extract as a fat burner
That’s the title of a new CDC book, which presents “specific interventions that have rigorous scientific evidence of effectiveness” in lowering the risk of falls among the elderly. Continue reading Preventing Falls: What Works
This small study “points” to some benefits. Continue reading Effect of acupuncture on cycling performance
Not if the diet is high in vegetables, fruit, and fiber, and low in total fat. But don’t be discouraged.
Here are the results from the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Randomized Trial. Continue reading Does diet affect the survival of women with breast cancer?
Yoga instructor Janette Scott wrote in Yoga Magazine, “Yoga has been shown to give many positive benefits to people with the disease for maintaining balance and harmony in their lives.” She also knew, “there needs to be a lot of further research and verification of the effects and benefits of yoga for this condition.”
Now, 10 years later, here’s a study from the National Institute of Mental Health and NeuroSciences in Bangalore, India. Continue reading Adding yoga to schizophrenia treatment
If an elite athlete takes something that enhances the immune system, does that make it a performance enhancement drug? Continue reading The benefits of probiotics in endurance athletes
It’s so bad that she canceled her concert tour.
Here’s the state-of-the-art (not including pharmacology and surgery) for treating lower back pain (LBP) from the North American Spine Society. Continue reading Dolly Parton has back pain
The findings come from a report by the Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders, sanctioned by the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
Here’s a summary of their conclusions regarding noninvasive treatments. It’s based on a review of the medical literature. Continue reading Best treatments for neck pain
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
Qigong (pronounced chee-gung) is a Chinese system of postures, exercises, breathing techniques, and meditations used to improve one’s chi/qi (energy field). It’s also called chi kung, chi gong, chi gung, daoyin.
Researchers from The University of Queensland in Australia reviewed the literature on qigong and diabetes.
Here’s what they found. Continue reading The value of qigong in the management of diabetes
Presently, “Anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist, homoeopath, herbalist, or other complementary therapist,” reports TimesOnLine.
This will change in April 2008. Continue reading Regulating CAM in the UK
I’m piecing together the results of a study by Brazilian researchers presented at the recent meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. Continue reading Positive results using exercise to treat fibromyalgia
According to Drs. Julie Lin and Joseph Lane from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, “Nonmedical management of osteoporotic patients has a critical role in a comprehensive treatment plan.”
Here are the highlights from their Medscape article complemented by other sources. Continue reading Complementary options to reduce falls in osteoporosis patients
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oil lowers triglyceride levels.
Now, a study in Japan reports that adding EPA to low-dose statin therapy lowers the risk for certain major coronary events, including nonfatal heart attacks, unstable angina and the need for revascularization procedures). Continue reading The JELIS study: Fish oil, statins, and heart disease
Following prolonged heavy endurance exercise, the immune system is suppressed for up to 12 hours. This has led to the concept of the “open window,” when there’s an increased risk of an upper respiratory tract infection.
Might probiotics lower this risk?
Continue reading Testing the value of probiotics in marathon runners
Does a typical yoga practice result in sufficient physical activity to improve and maintain cardiovascular fitness? Continue reading Measuring physical exertion with hatha yoga
Give your family and friends holiday gifts that help them eat healthier or become more active.
Twelve healthy suggestions
That’s the name of the study conducted in Sydney, Australia that tested the effect of tai chi in people with type 2 diabetes. Continue reading Move It For Diabetes
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has issued the first guidelines for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Continue reading CAM recommendations for treating fibromyalgia