STW 5 (Iberogast) is an herbal preparation containing 9 plant extracts (including Iberis amara [Candytuft] peppermint, and chamomile). In this study, it was better than placebo in treating functional dyspepsia — a chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen. Continue reading Treating functional dyspepsia with STW 5
Category Archives: Pain
Endorsement of a complementary approached to pain therapy
Recommendations from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for the medical management of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee include nondrug combined with drug treatment. Continue reading Endorsement of a complementary approached to pain therapy
Using CAM to complement conventional pain treatments
Researchers from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington survey the use of CAM among people with chronic pain and wonder “whether opioids can be reduced by introducing such therapies.” Continue reading Using CAM to complement conventional pain treatments
Rolfing: “Scientifically validated” body restructuring and movement education?
One certified Rolfer says it is, but she offers no links to studies to support the statement.
So, I searched PubMed for any articles with “Rolfing” in the title or text. Continue reading Rolfing: “Scientifically validated” body restructuring and movement education?
Black cohosh and green tea extract may get warning labels
A United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Committee has reviewed reports that suggest a link between liver damage and the use of products that contain green tea extracts and black cohosh.
Yes, liver toxicity is rare, but? Continue reading Black cohosh and green tea extract may get warning labels
Arnica: Not really par excellence
The website HealthWorld has an article on homeopathy that describes arnica (mountain daisy) as “par excellence” for the treatment of shock or trauma caused by any injury. Although the German Commission E Monograph lists herbal doses of arnica as approved for external use resulting from accidents, it questions arnica’s value in homeopathy, as discussed in this review.
Based on what we know, the frequent reference to arnica as “par excellence” is an overstatement. Continue reading Arnica: Not really par excellence
Acupuncture for chronic knee pain
It’s better than sham acupuncture or no additional treatment. Continue reading Acupuncture for chronic knee pain
Arnica vs ibuprofen gel for arthritis pain
Rubbing on arnica provides pain relief in people with osteoarthritis that affects their hands. Continue reading Arnica vs ibuprofen gel for arthritis pain
CAM options for symptom management in children with cancer
Ms. Jennifer Rheingans is a nurse educator for pediatrics at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida. In the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing she reviews nonpharmacological therapies as a potential source of assistance for children with symptoms due to cancer treatment.
Symptoms and CAM options are listed below. Continue reading CAM options for symptom management in children with cancer
CAM options for acute low back pain
Dr. Scott Kinkade from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas has reviewed all the options in American Family Physician.
Here’s a summary of his conclusions as they relate to CAM. Continue reading CAM options for acute low back pain
Acupuncture during lithotripsy
Lithotripsy is a medical procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones that form in the kidney, bladder, ureters, or gallbladder.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine studied if the combination of auricular and body acupuncture might reduce the need for sedation during lithotripsy. Continue reading Acupuncture during lithotripsy
Yoga for health
According to their website, the International Yoga Therapy Conference “is a forum that explores the specific and profound ways in which yoga can aid in maintaining good health or recovery from illness.”
This year’s meeting will be held at the Peacock Gap Country Club in San Rafael, California (about 30 minutes north of San Francisco) on May 18 to 20. Continue reading Yoga for health
Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy pain control
The patients reported better pain control, but there was no difference in the use of other pain medicines. Continue reading Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy pain control
The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Dr. Frederick Burgess, who is clinical associate professor of surgery (anesthesiology) at Brown University in Rhode Island, has these thoughts from the American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting this past February. Continue reading The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Coffee: Should you drink it or not?
Let’s see, since June last year this blog has summarized 8 reports on the effects of coffee and caffeine and health.
What should we make of all this?
Pycnogenol reduces pain of endometriosis
Long-term treatment with French maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) reduced symptoms of endometriosis, such as pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, in a study reported in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.
Medscape has a summary.
Using massage and acupuncture to help control symptoms after cancer surgery
More data from the University of California, San Francisco in support of CAM in the care of cancer patients.
Continue reading Using massage and acupuncture to help control symptoms after cancer surgery
Self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV, and it’s often associated with antiretroviral therapy. Patients experience muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness.
Here’s what people use to manage the discomfort. Continue reading Self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS
The importance of choice in healthcare
Researchers at Osher Institute at Harvard investigated the effectiveness and cost-of-care based on patients’ choice of acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage therapy compared with usual care to treat acute low back pain.
Acupuncture for chronic low back pain
This observational study conducted by the Technische Universitat Munchen in Germany concluded “Acupuncture treatment is associated with clinically relevant improvements in patients suffering from chronic low back pain.”
Here are the details.