The Wren Clinic

Wren Practitioner attends International Integrative Medicine Conference

Noah — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:21:57 +0000

CORE Bodyworker/Rolfer Noah Karrasch, US practitioner who visits the Wren twice a year, is attending the 13–15 May Second International Conference on Integrative Medicine. Held this year in Jerusalem, this conference draws together medical and alternative practitioners to look at the direction that both may take on a parallel track that benefits all clients/patients.

Noah will present a poster titled “The Heart Hinge: Survive, Or Thrive?” during the conference, as well as attending various presentations on a variety of topics relating to the integration of alternatives into the medical mainstream.

Complementary Medicine Improves Type 2 Diabetes Care

Noah — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:58:43 +0000

Diet, exercise, and stress management counseling may be the key to managing diabetes and helping patients feel optimistic about their disease, confirms a new study at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Kenmore, Wash.

Researchers compared two groups: One group of 369 adults with type 2 diabetes received conventional treatment of stress management, dietary supplements, and prescription medication. The second group of 40 adults received complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on top of the standard care provided by their doctors. After six months, researchers compared the two groups and their treatments. Those who bundled CAM with conventional care had lower blood-sugar levels, better eating and exercise habits, improved mood, and a stronger sense of control over their condition.

Complementary Medicine Improves Type 2 Diabetes Care

Noah — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:05:03 +0000

The CAM included exercise and diet counseling, and regular glucose monitoring from naturopathic physicians. Most of the patients in the study received stress-management counseling, dietary supplements, and other measures as part of the conventional care prescribed to them by their regular doctors.

After six months, researchers compared the two groups and their treatments. Those who bundled CAM with conventional care had lower blood-sugar levels, better eating and exercise habits, improved mood, and a stronger sense of control over their condition.

Patients driving alternative medicine boom

Noah — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:02:24 +0000

American health care providers are themselves seeking out complementary and alternative therapies when dealing with their own health problems. In 2007, 83% of American health care workers used complementary or alternative medicine, as compared with 63% of the general population (Health Serv Res 2012; 47: 211-27). They were also two times more likely to seek out practitioner-based complementary or alternative therapy and three times more likely to self-administer such therapy.

What is Cramp? How to overcome and prevent cramp when running

Noah — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:14 +0000

An interesting article by Kim Ingleby about what and how…well written.
Read more:

Trial tests effectiveness of treatments for chronic neck pain

Noah — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:54:11 +0000

People with chronic neck pain in the York area are being offered the chance to take part in a major clinical trial into the effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons and acupuncture sessions.
Run by the University of York and funded by a grant of £720,000 from Arthritis Research UK, the ATLAS trial will look at the effectiveness of the techniques in alleviating neck pain compared with normal GP care.

York GP practices are contacting patients who have previously seen their GP with chronic neck pain, inviting them to take part in the study.

The year-long study which is run by the Complementary Medicine Research Group in the University’s Department of Health Sciences in conjunction with the York Trials Unit, will recruit up to 500 patients in York, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is Twice as Effective for Infertility as Conventional Western Drug Therapy

Noah — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:43:17 +0000

In a review published in the December issue of the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, women receiving Chinese herbal medicine treatments were twice as likely to get pregnant within a four-month period than those receiving conventional Western medical fertility drug treatment or IVF. The findings also suggested that the quality of the menstrual cycle – a key component in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis — appears to be crucial to the successful treatment of female infertility. Infertility is generally defined as an inability to conceive after a year or more of regular sexual activity without using birth control.

Integrative Medicine Classes Help Breast Cancer Survivors Recover

Noah — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:40:20 +0000

The term “integrative medicine” didn’t exactly roll off people’s tongues when UCSF established the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine in 1997. UCSF Chancellor Emeritus Haile Debas, MD, then dean of the UCSF School of Medicine, with support from the Bernard Osher Foundation created a center that would test the effectiveness of complementary medicine through research, as well incorporate the best of these strategies into professional education and patient care.
UCSF’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine combines conventional medicine with evidence-based practices from other healing traditions, including meditation, yoga, tai chi and qigong. This approach has become a popular way for cancer survivors and others who are recovering from debilitating illnesses to regain strength and balance after chemotherapy and surgery. Others benefit from stress-reduction programs like laughter yoga.

Homeopathy Vindicated as Cost-Effective by Swiss Government

Noah — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:20:32 +0000

In a story akin to “the mouse that roared,” the Swiss government has determined that the very small doses commonly used in homeopathic medicine are both effective and cost-effective. Despite the impressive technological prowess of conventional medicine today, the Swiss government has determined that homeopathy is considerably more cost effective.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may help women with chronic pelvic pain

Noah — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:18:23 +0000

It is estimated that one in six women are affected by CPP which can be defined as intermittent or constant pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis for over six months and many will use some form of complementary medicine to help their symptoms.

Acupuncture is a safe intervention and involves the insertion . . . → Read More: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may help women with chronic pelvic pain