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

Archive for the 'Osteoarthritis' Category

Acupuncture: Effective to treat chronic pain

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

Although it’s widely used for chronic pain, there’s controversy as to its value.

Now, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City, reviewed the evidence in 4 chronic pain conditions. (more…)

Complementary treatments for osteoarthritis

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

Former Medical Director, of the Rosenthal Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, at Columbia University Medical Center, in New York City, Dr. James Dillard, reviewed the evidence.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Review: Ginger to treat pain

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, has been used to treat pain, among other things.

Prof. Ernst and colleagues from the University of Exeter, in the UK reviewed the evidence for the use of ginger to treat any type of pain. (more…)

Predictors of a positive response to acupuncture for chronic pain

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Researchers in Germany searched the records from almost 10,000 patients for predictors of a positive response. (more…)

Reviewing the reviews of tai chi

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Prof. Ernst and a colleague critically evaluated the systematic reviews of tai chi for any improvement of medical conditions or clinical symptoms. (more…)

Review: Yoga for arthritis

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

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

Review: CAM for arthritis

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Prof. Ernst and colleague evaluated the evidence on CAM treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. (more…)

Symptomatic response to chondroitin in patients with osteoarthritis

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Researchers at the University of Geneva School of Medicine, in Switzerland, evaluated the response to highly purified chondroitin 4&6 sulfate (CS) in patients with hand osteoarthritis. (more…)

Comparing exercise programs in people with osteoarthritis

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Reduced aerobic capacity in people osteoarthritis of the lower limbs affects independence and the ability to perform everyday activities.

Researchers at Universidad de Extremadura, in Spain, reviewed exercise programs and the ability to perform activities require sustained aerobic metabolism. (more…)

Effects of balneotherapy on quality of life in osteoarthritis

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Researchers at the University of Siena, in Italy, evaluated whether balneotherapy (treatment of disease by baths) with mineral sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium water might achieve symptomatic improvement, and improve quality of life of patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. (more…)

Anti-inflammatory effects of heated vs unheated ginger

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Ginger (Zingiber officnale) exerts anti-inflammatory effects, and heat treatment of ginger has been suggested to enhance its pain relieving effects.

Now, researchers from Georgia College and State University, in Milledgeville report the results of 2 studies in adults. (more…)

Exercise? Yes, but which one for osteoarthritis?

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

There’s a growing recognition of the importance of physical exercise to reduce pain in knee and hip joints.

Researchers at Universidad de Extremadura, in Spain, compared the effectiveness of exercise programs on pain in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. (more…)

Review: Moxibustion for rheumatic conditions

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

Moxibustion, an acupuncture-like treatment, is increasingly used in the management of rheumatic conditions.

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

Review: Acupuncture to treat peripheral joint osteoarthritis

Friday, February 18th, 2011

This Cochrane review covers osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or hand. (more…)

Review of acupuncture to treat rheumatic conditions

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Other reviews came to contradictory conclusions.

So, Prof. Ernst reviewed the reviews. (more…)

Does vitamin D reduce progression of knee osteoarthritis?

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

During the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers in Boston reported (abstract 706) that adding vitamin D as a supplement did not lessen the symptoms or slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis. (more…)

Tai chi effects in women with osteoarthritis

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

The effects of tai chi on knee muscle strength, bone mineral density, and fear of falling were studied by researchers at Chungnam National University, in Daejeon, South Korea. (more…)

Failure of glucosamine to reduce the use of pain relieving drugs

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Researchers at the Universitetet i Oslo, tell us, “Since 2004, glucosamine has been available as a prescription drug [in Norway] for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was evaluate the use of glucosamine on the need for analgesic drugs. (more…)

Review: Glucosamine, chondroitin, and osteoarthritis

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Researchers in Europe reviewed the evidence for glucosamine, chondroitin, and the combination to treat osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. (more…)

Influence of aucpuncturists on treatment outcomes in osteoarthritis

Monday, September 13th, 2010

There’s conflicting evidence on the value of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA).

Now, researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston report the influence of the acupuncturist on the response to treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. (more…)