CAM Therapies

Why the Choice of CAM Therapies in Knee Osteoarthritis Matters

– Therapy choices differ among races and genders — but so do benefits and limitations of each approach by Sneha Patel, MD October 12, 2021 Osteoarthritis (OA) is a difficult condition to manage, as treatment options are limited. In a study in ACR Open Rheumatology of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients, Vina and colleagues sought to identify gender […]

Use of Complementary and Integrated Health: A Retrospective Analysis of U.S. Veterans with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Nationally

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Vol. 25, No. 1 Stephanie L. Taylor, Patricia M. Herman, Nell J. Marshall, Qing Zeng, Anita Yuan, Karen Chu, Yijun Shao, Craig Morioka, and Karl A. Lorenz Published Online:18 Jan 2019https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0276 Abstract Objective: To partially address the opioid crisis, some complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies are now recommended […]

Integrative Medicine in Childhood Cancer – Full Text Article

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Vol. 24, No. 9-10 Invited Review ArticlesFree Access Elena J. Ladas Published Online:24 Sep 2018 Abstract The diagnosis of cancer in a child leaves parents and families devastated and vulnerable. In an effort to do everything possible, families often choose an integrative medicine approach to their child’s care. […]

Complementary and alternative medicine for rheumatic diseases: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Complement Ther Med. 2018 Apr;37:143-157. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.03.003. Epub 2018 Mar 5. Phang JK Abstract OBJECTIVES: To summarize all good quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions in patients with rheumatic diseases. METHODS: A systematic literature review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) was performed. […]

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among US Adults With Headache or Migraine: Results From the 2012 National Health Interview Survey

Yan Zhang, PhD; Jeff A. Dennis, PhD; Matthew J. Leach, PhD; Felicity L. Bishop, PhD; Holger Cramer, PhD; Vincent C. H. Chung, PhD; Craig Moore, PhD(c); Romy Lauche, PhD; Ron Cook, DO; David Sibbritt, PhD; Jon Adams, PhD Headache. 2017;57(8):1228-1242. Abstract Background Given the safety concerns regarding pharmacological agents, and the considerable impact of headache […]

Kids Treated With Alternative Medicine Less Likely to Get Flu Shots

NHIS data show acupuncture, chiropractic linked to lower vax rates by Molly Walker Staff Writer, MedPage Today 10.04.2016 Children who received certain types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) were less likely to have received a flu shot, data from the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey indicated. Child vaccination was significantly less common in households […]

Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Management

September 13, 2016 Mayo Clinic Proceedings TAKE-HOME MESSAGE The authors of this review evaluated the available evidence regarding the use of complementary health approaches to assist in the management of chronic pain. There was positive evidence to show that some strategies may be beneficial for specific complaints. Select complementary health approaches may be beneficial for […]

Complementary and Integrative Medicine for Breast Cancer Patients

May 30, 2016 The Breast TAKE-HOME MESSAGE A review of current complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) guidelines is presented along with an overview of CIM interventions that have shown positive effects in breast cancer patients. Guidance on finding a qualified provider of CIM treatment and recommendations on integrating CIM treatments into breast cancer centers are […]

Homeopathy effective for 0 out of 68 illnesses, study finds

Treatment has ‘no discernible convincing effects beyond placebo’ Siobhan Fenton @siobhanfenton Friday 19 February 2016 A leading scientist has declared homeopathy a “therapeutic dead-end” after a systematic review concluded the controversial treatment was no more effective than placebo drugs. Professor Paul Glasziou, a leading academic in evidence based medicine at Bond University, was the chair of […]

Complementary Medicine Users OK With Paying Out of Pocket

01.22.2016 Acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage use climbed despite no insurance coverage by Sarah Wickline Wallan Staff Writer, MedPage Today Lack of insurance hasn’t discouraged Americans from availing themselves of chiropractors, acupuncture, and massage therapy, a government study indicated. According to survey results, between 30% to 40% of adults in the U.S. used one of these […]

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Peppermint Oil

Common Name: peppermint oil Latin Name:  Mentha x piperita Introduction This fact sheet provides basic information about peppermint oil—common names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and resources for more information. The herb peppermint, a cross between two types of mint (water mint and spearmint), grows throughout Europe and North America. Peppermint is often used to […]

New Study Shows High Use of Complementary Therapies by Cancer Inpatients

New Rochelle, NY, December 2, 2015—Patients hospitalized for cancer treatment commonly use complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches such as nutritional supplements, special diets, and massage according to a new study. More than 95% of patients expressed interest in at least one of these types of therapies if offered during their hospital stay, as reported […]

Alternative Treatments Found to Benefit Chronic Neck Pain

Acupuncture, ‘Alexander Technique’ helped more than drugs and physical therapy WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Two alternative therapies — acupuncture and the Alexander Technique — appear equally beneficial for the long-term relief of chronic neck pain, according to a report published in the Nov. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. For […]

Out-of-Pocket Expenditures on Complementary Health Approaches Associated with Painful Health Conditions in a Nationally Representative Adult Sample

J Pain. 2015 Aug 27. pii: S1526-5900(15)00836-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.07.013. [Epub ahead of print] Nahin RL, Stussman BJ, Herman PM. Abstract National surveys suggest that millions of adults in the United States use complementary health approaches such as acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, and herbal medicines to manage painful conditions such as arthritis, back pain and fibromyalgia. Yet, […]

Patients Not Talking About Using Alternative Therapies for Pain

MONDAY, July 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Many Americans with chronic pain who use alternative therapies — such as acupuncture — don’t discuss these treatments with their doctors, new research finds. The study was published online July 20 in the American Journal of Managed Care. Charles Elder, M.D., M.P.H., an affiliate investigator at the Kaiser […]

Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of refugees and survivors of torture

Torture. 2012;22(1):38-57. Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of refugees and survivors of torture: a review and proposal for action. Longacre M, Silver-Highfield E, Lama P, Grodin M. Abstract Survivors of torture and refugee trauma often have increased needs for mental and physical healthcare. This is due in part to the complex sequelae of […]

IBS: Is Peppermint Oil May Be a Treatment Option

05.18.2015 WASHINGTON — A slow-release peppermint oil (IBgard) appeared to significantly reduce severe abdominal symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), researchers said here. At 28 days, the number of severe and unbearable symptoms was reduced by 66% among patients taking peppermint oil compared with a reduction of 42% among patients on placebo (P=0.0212), reported Brooks Cash, […]

Herbal supplement may successfully treat glaucoma

Date: May 7, 2015 Source: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Summary: Scientists have found that baicalein significantly lowers eye pressure and may act as an all-natural treatment for glaucoma. Scientists have found that baicalein significantly lowers eye pressure and may act as an all-natural treatment for glaucoma. The research is being presented at the […]

Considerations for practice-based research: a cross-sectional survey of chiropractic, acupuncture and massage practices

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 May 2;15(1):140. [Epub ahead of print] Floden L1, Howerter A2, Matthews E3, Nichter M4, Cunningham JK5, Ritenbaugh C6, Gordon JS7, Muramoto ML8. Author information Abstract BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has steadily increased globally over the past two decades and is increasingly playing a role in the healthcare system in the United States. CAM practice-based effectiveness […]

Complementary Medicine in Chronic Pain Treatment – Full Text Article

This article discusses several issues related to therapies that are considered “complementary” or “alternative” to conventional medicine. A definition of “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) is considered in the context of the evolving health care field of complementary medicine. A rationale for pain physicians and clinicians to understand these treatments of chronic pain is presented. […]