Ms. Meenakshi Khatta is a nurse practitioner and associate professor at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Nurse Khatta has reviewed the use of CAM to treat pain due to musculoskeletal conditions.

Here are her findings on herbal supplements used to treat fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. (more…)

The World Health Organization has predicted a 39% rise in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes by 2030. And an article in The Lancet indicates this might be an underestimation.

Since November is Diabetes Month, here’s a round-up of CAM options for people with diabetes from 2006 through March 2007.
(more…)

Merck, the pharmaceutical company, announced a voluntary worldwide withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib) in 2004. It was effective for relieving signs and symptoms of arthritis, acute pain in adults, and painful menstrual cycles. But the risk of heart attack or stroke related to Vioxx was high enough to cause Merck to stop selling the drug.

Now, a review of the literature suggests that Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s claw) and Salix alba (White willow bark) are as effective.

(more…)

Narcotic drugs (opioids) are commonly prescribed for short-term relief of chronic back pain, but their long-term (greater than 16 weeks) effectiveness has never been proved.

Also, opioid abuse occurs in 24% of cases.

What’s this got to do with CAM?

(more…)

The Cochrane Collaboration has evaluated the effectiveness of herbal medicines for the treatment of low back pain.

Here’s what they found.
(more…)

Here is a list of herbal medicines with documented effectiveness as pain relievers. The source of this information summarizes the dose, route of administration, conditions treated, and safety information.

(more…)