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

Archive for the 'Pain-Knee' Category

Timing aquatic therapy after hip and knee replacement

Sunday, January 8th, 2012

Researchers at the University of Schleswig-Holstein Medical Center, in Kiel, Germany, studied whether the timing of aquatic therapy influences clinical outcomes. (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…)

Comfrey root treats back pain

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Researchers at Merck in Germany tell us, “Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) is a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and tissue regenerating properties.”

Here are the results of a study in people with acute back pain. (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…)

Acupuncture: Clinically meaningful and cost-effective?

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Researchers from the University of York, in the UK say it’s time to move on from asking if acupuncture is more effective than placebo. (more…)

Glucosamine fails latest test

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

knee-joint-3Reporting at the American College of Rheumatology annual scientific meeting, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in Pennsylvania found no benefit for preventing joint damage in the knees caused by osteoarthritis. (more…)

Benefits of chondroitin in knee osteoarthritis

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

Following the negative report from the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), researchers from the University of Utah reanalyzed the data on chondroitin and discovered there’s benefit in certain patients. (more…)

Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

No better than placebo after 24 months of treatment. (more…)

Qigong therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

The benefit depends on the therapist, according to this study from the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey. (more…)

Implanting gold beads to treat knee osteoarthritis

Friday, February 20th, 2009

Despite negative results, researchers from Denmark think another, larger study is needed. (more…)

Benefits of chondroitin in knee osteoarthritis

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

 Researchers from the University of Paris Descartes in France assessed the long-term effects of chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate on the symptoms and radiographic progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). (more…)

Spa therapy: Does it matter how long you stay?

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Researchers at the University of Tartu in Estonia studied the duration of spa therapy on the management of osteoarthritis. (more…)

Ayurvedic treatment for knee osteoarthritis

Monday, October 27th, 2008

 Reporting at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers from the Center For Rheumatic Diseases in Maharashtra, India concluded, Ayurvedic drugs may be safer and just as effective as glucosamine and celecoxib (Celebrex). (more…)

Importance of rest in your exercise routine

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

 This study compared the effect of rest intervals on isokinetic knee exercise in physically active younger and older women.

Isokinetic exercises use an apparatus that provides “variable resistance” (photo). Regardless of the effort exerted, movement occurs at a constant speed. This technique is used to improve muscular strength and endurance, especially after injury. (more…)

The status of cat’s claw to treat osteoporosis

Saturday, September 6th, 2008

There are some small studies in patients, and now there’s a review that connects the clinical response and mechanisms of action of two species of cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis).

Here’s an example of what’s reported. (more…)

Boswellia treatment of osteoarthritis

Friday, August 1st, 2008

5-Loxin is a product made from Boswellia serrata (aka Salai guggal in Ayurvedic medicine).

It has anti-inflammatory action, and was used in this study to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. (more…)

Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis knee pain

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

The Arthritis Foundation characterized the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) as “a landmark study that helps define the role of glucosamine/chondroitin in the treatment of knee OA.”

(more…)

Aquatic vs land-based exercise for knee osteoarthritis

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

Aquatic exercise has less adverse effects, but what about effectiveness? (more…)

Summarizing benefits of acupuncture

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

Dr. Paul White from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas has reviewed the medical literature and published a summary of the state of the art of acupuncture to manage pain. (more…)