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

Archive for the 'Pain-Neck' 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…)

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…)

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…)

TENS to treat latent myofascial trigger points

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

Myofascial trigger points may cause joint pain, headaches, and other kinds of pain so severe that it doesn’t respond well to painkillers.

Researchers at CEU-San Pablo University, in Madrid, Spain, assessed the response to burst application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). (more…)

TENS to treat trapezius muscle trigger points

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

The trapezius muscle contains trigger points (hyperirritable spots). Referred pain from these trigger points frequently cause patients to seek treatment.

Researchers at Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, in Bournemouth, UK, studied the immediate effect of electric point stimulation (TENS). (more…)

Feldenkrais as group treatment for chronic pain

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Researchers at Umea University, in Sweden, report on the experiences of people with chronic pain after Feldenkrais group intervention. (more…)

Punching holes in the claims for acupuncture

Saturday, October 1st, 2011

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

Prof. Ernst and colleagues are critical of acupuncture as a treatment of pain. Here, they summarize reports of serious adverse effects published since 2000. (more…)

TENS to treat upper trapeszius trigger points

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Researchers at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, in Bournemouth, UK investigated the immediate effect of electric point stimulation (TENS) in patients with latent upper trapezius trigger points compared to placebo.

Trigger points are discrete, localized, hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle, which can produce referred pain and tenderness. (more…)

Acupuncture: Does the number of needles matter?

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Not according to this study of patients with neck pain, reported by researchers in Italy. (more…)

Tai chi in female computer users

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Workplace computer use has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders, a leading cause of work disability and productivity losses in industrialized nations.

Researchers from York University, in Toronto, Ontario studied tai chi as a workplace physical exercise for health promotion. (more…)

Which exercise for nonspecific neck pain in office workers?

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Researchers at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand, reviewed research on exercise options to prevent and cure nonspecific neck pain. (more…)

Long-term effects of naprapathic therapy on back and neck pain

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden, evaluated the long-term effects of naprapathic manual therapy on staying active in patients with non-specific back and/or neck pain.

Background on naprapathy is here. (more…)

Naprapathy

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Type “naprapathy” into Google and — you guessed it, — you’re asked, Did you mean: Naturopathy?

No…I meant N A P R A P A T H Y ? the stealthy CAM.

(more…)

Review: Manipulation vs mobilization to treat neck pain

Saturday, October 30th, 2010

In this Cochrane review, the effects of manipulation and mobilization alone or combined with other treatment approaches on neck pain were evaluated. (more…)

Acupuncture to treat pain after neck disscetion

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City studied whether acupuncture reduces pain and dysfunction in patients with squamous cell cancer and a history of neck dissection (photo) — a surgical procedure used to control neck lymph node metastasis. (more…)

Using Gausha to treat musculoskeletal pain

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Guasha (aka Gha Sha) is used in Chinese medicine to control pain. It uses tools to scrape or rub the surface of the body to relieve blood (Xue) stagnation (video here).

Researchers from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, in Daejeon, South Korea reviewed the supporting evidence. (more…)

Review: Qigong to treat pain

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Qigong is an internal martial art in which one learns to sense the Qi (the circulating life energy) moving in their body.

Prof. Ernst reviewed the research on qigong to treat pain. (more…)

Do fancy keyboards improve work-related arm, neck, or shoulder complaints?

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Ergonomic adjustments (modified keyboard layouts and ergonomic advice) play a major role in treating most work-related complaints.

This Cochrane review concludes that the scientific support is underwhelming. (more…)

Qigong and exercise for neck pain in the elderly

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

There were “no significant differences for pain, neck pain, disability, and quality of life,” according to researchers at Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany. (more…)

Benefits of massage for chronic neck pain

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

 Researchers from the University of Washington, in Seattle studied whether therapeutic massage is beneficial treatment for chronic neck pain. (more…)