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

Archive for the 'Pain' Category

Does anyone use St. John’s wort to treat dental pain?

Tuesday, April 19th, 2016

Its claimed anti-pain and anti-inflammatory properties in homeopathic medicine have led to a number of studies in patients with acute pain.

Researchers at University of Witten/Herdecke, in Germany reviewed the evidence for using St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) for pain conditions in homeopathic dental practice. (more…)

Up in smoke: Medical marijuana debunked

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015

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Proponents of the use of medical marijuana like to start speeches and articles by quickly stating that cannabinoids are of proven value in treating many diseases.

Poppycock. This site has stated repeatedly: not true, not true, not true.

Now the evidence is in, and we were right. JAMA confirms that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabinoids is tenuous at best. And risk of side effects with cannabinoids to treat anything is high.

(more…)

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…)

TENS to reduce pain intensity in patients with tennis elbow

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

tennis_elbow50People with “tennis elbow” (lateral epicondylitis) experience pain over the outer side of the elbow, which may extend down the forearm.

Researchers at Keele University, in Staffordshire, UK, studied the response to TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) added to typical treatment. (more…)

Results of nonpharmacological approaches to treating pain

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013

Researchers at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, in Chicago evaluated the effectiveness of an inpatient integrative medicine consult service for pain management. (more…)

Eating cherries to lower the risk of gout attacks

Sunday, September 30th, 2012

Prior studies suggest that cherry products have urate-lowering effects and anti-inflammatory properties, with the potential to reduce gout pain.

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine, in Massachusetts studied the relationship between cherry intake and the risk of recurrent gout attacks among people with gout. (more…)

SIT and the co-disciplinary pain clinic

Thursday, August 9th, 2012

Clinicians in California described their clinical practice, which uses the simultaneous interview technique (SIT). (more…)

Consumer alert: Reumofan Plus

Monday, June 4th, 2012

FDA is warning consumers that Reumofan Plus, marketed as a natural dietary supplement for pain relief and other serious conditions, contains several active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the label that could be harmful.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Music to manage chronic pain

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Treating chronic pain is challenging. Often, the reason for the pain isn’t clear and may require combinations of treatments before finding relief, if then.

Researchers at the Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, in Paris, France assessed the usefulness of their music intervention to manage patients with chronic pain. (more…)

Yoga appears to be beneficial for people with pain

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

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

Potential benefits of yoga for fibromyalgia

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

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…)

Physiotherapy following cesarean section

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

Researchers at Mugla University, in Turkey, investigated the effects of physiotherapy on incision pain and functional activities. (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…)

Contribution of mindfulness in rheumatic joint disease

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Researchers at Diakonhjemmet Hospital, in Oslo, Norway, evaluated the effects of a mindfulness-based group training in adults with inflammatory rheumatic joint diseases. (more…)

Does acupuncture relieve pain?

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Acupuncture is commonly used for pain control, but doubts about its effectiveness and safety remain.

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

Review: Yoga to treat pain

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

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

Do cannabinoids improve opioid analgesia?

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

Cannabinoids and opioids share several pharmacologic properties and may act synergistically. But, the potential pharmacokinetics and safety of the combination in humans are unknown.

Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco attempted to answer these questions. (more…)

Turmeric (curcumin) improves postoperative pain and fatigue

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

Researchers at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, in New Delhi, India, studied the effect of curcumin on pain and fatigue following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery). (more…)

Acupuncture in Ob/Gyn

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Acupuncture is often recommended for obstetrical and gynecological (Ob/Gyn) conditions.

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

Acupuncture for pain relief during labor

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Researchers at the University of Oxford, in the UK, assessed the role of acupuncture for epidural pain. (more…)