The American Heart Association has summarized the blood pressure-lowering effects of several alternative approaches and provided recommendations for their use.

Here’s what we know in people with blood pressure (BP) levels higher than 120/80 mmHg. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Witten/Herdecke, in Germany, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition with widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression, and low cortisol levels.

Researchers at York University, in Toronto, Ontario, evaluated women with fibromyalgia before and after a yoga class. (more…)

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston, Massachusetts, report patterns and reasons for its use.

It’s not what you think. (more…)

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

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

Researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, reviewed the evidence to determine whether physical fitness and function benefits are achieved through the practice of yoga. (more…)

… and other things you should know.

The authors tell us, “Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. (more…)

Small studies suggest that yoga might have benefits.

Researchers at Group Health Research Institute, in Seattle, Washington, studied whether yoga is more effective than conventional stretching exercises or a self-care book for primary care patients with chronic low back pain. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Witten/Herdecke, in Germany, performed a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of yoga on pain and associated disability. (more…)

Standard therapies are of limited value for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology, in Australia, reviewed the value of CAM, self-help techniques, and lifestyle interventions. (more…)

It has been suggested that yoga has a positive effect on low back pain and function.

Now, Prof. Ernst and colleagues have reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Dr. Timothy McCall, writing at YogaJournal.com, makes the case for yoga.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Most people suffering from fibromyalgia use a variety of complementary or alternative medicine treatments to manage their symptoms.

Prof. Ernst has updated his review of the CAM options from a year ago. (more…)

Researchers at Catholic University Leuven, in Belgium, reviewed the evidence for physical therapy in people with schizophrenia.

First, the details.

10 studies were included in the review.

• 6 studies addressed the use of aerobic and strength exercises.
• In 2 of these studies, yoga techniques also were investigated.
• 4 studies addressed the use of progressive muscle relaxation.

And, the results.

• There’s evidence that aerobic and strength exercises and yoga reduce psychiatric symptoms, anxiety and psychological distress, and improve health-related quality of life.
• Aerobic exercise improves short-term memory.
• Progressive muscle relaxation reduces anxiety and psychological distress.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “Physical therapy offers added value in the multidisciplinary care of people with schizophrenia.”

The differences between studies in terms of design and the small number of patients studies, say the researchers, make it necessary to conduct additional studies to confirm these findings.

11/6/11 18:48 JR

Researchers at National Taiwan University, in Taipei, conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of yoga in patients with cancer. (more…)

MayoClinic.com has reviewed the pros and cons. (more…)

Chronic low back pain is a common problem lacking effective treatment options.

Researchers in Oregon and Washington compared yoga and conventional stretching exercises for patients with chronic low back pain. (more…)

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

It’s probably one of the most popular uses of CAM.

Researchers in Australia reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers at NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, observed the effect of yoga on menopausal symptoms. (more…)