Complementary Health News Updates

  • Reiki Energy Healing courses September 18, 2010The Reiki Level One beginners’ course is a wonderful opportunity for you to improve your personal health and to learn ways to help friends and family. Our Reiki Master & Teacher, Michael Kaufmann, runs a Reiki Level One course every month. For more information, course dates and to book a place, please go to www.reiki-meditation.co.uk or ...
  • Meditation courses September 15, 2010The “Silent Mind” self-help meditation courses are taught in two parts on two Saturdays. For more information, course dates and to book a place, please go to www.reiki-meditation.co.uk, call Michael Kaufmann directly on 07801 284073 or The Wren on 020 7283 8908. The course fee is still only £129. Course manual, Audio CD and support after the ...
  • Are you a physiotherapist looking for a new home for your practice? September 17, 2012THIS ADVERTISEMENT APPEARED ON LINKEDIN ON 18 AUGUST 2012 We are a small charity, based in a unique converted Wren church, right in the heart of the City of London. Over 22yrs old, we provide a base for a variety of conventional and complementary health practitioners. Our clients almost all work, or live close to, the ...
  • What Andy Murray teaches us about self-doubt and its role in our success or failure September 14, 2012A fascinating article by Dr Raj Persaud illustrating the difference between a lack of self-confidence and an abundance of self-doubt. “Andy Murray’s historic victory appears founded on a mental rather than a physical transformation. Commentators, plus the tennis star himself, have been discussing how his previously hindering self-doubt appears to have been finally conquered. Many attribute this ...
  • People: We Should Stop Icing! August 14, 2012Ready to slay a sacred cow?   Here goes. You should stop icing.  We were wrong.  I know.  I’ve even been guilty of advocated for short icing stints on this blog.  I was wrong.  For the past year, I’ve been engaged in a personal moral debate about icing that in retrospect, seems silly if not ...
  • Study shows frequent massage sessions boost biological benefits August 14, 2012Massage is purported to have an array of benefits, including alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, back pain, asthma, fatigue, and even HIV. A new study shows there are sustained, cumulative beneficial effects of repeated massage therapy. The effects persist for several days to a week, and differ depending on the frequency of sessions. Results of ...
  • Yoga proves to reduce depression in pregnant women, boost maternal bonding August 14, 2012Yoga continues to grow in popularity but in the United States, many classes concentrate on yoga as “exercise,” omitting the practice of being fully present in the moment and aware, authors say. Meanwhile, mindfulness yoga – which combines meditative focus with physical poses – has proven to be a powerful method to fight stress and ...
  • Five Time Olympic Athlete Amy Acuff Uses Rolfing® Bodywork to Prepare for the 2012 Olympics August 14, 2012“The use of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, Pilates, and Rolfing has been instrumental,” says Acuff, who received her pre-med degree from UCLA and studied acupuncture at the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin (AOMA). “I don’t think I would be where I am without all of these modalities.”   Erin Aldrich, 2000 U. S. ...
  • NIH video reveals the science behind yoga August 14, 2012video featuring research on how yoga works, the safety of yoga and whether yoga can help treat certain health problems is being released by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For example, there is a growing body of evidence that yoga may be beneficial ...
  • Using yoga to relieve chronic back pain July 30, 2012A recent study funded by the government’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that regular yoga practice improved function and reduced back pain symptoms better than routine medical care in 228 back pain sufferers who participated in a clinical trial.   But the researchers found that those study participants who took regular stretching ...
  • Middle-Aged Female Back Pain Sufferers Commonly Use CAM July 30, 2012Middle-aged women with back pain are commonly using both conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), Australian study findings show. “The results reinforce the need for effective and ongoing communication between patients, conventional and CAM practitioners to ensure the creation and maintenance of treatment plans for back pain sufferers,” say Emma Kirby (University of Queensland) and ...
  • Osteopathic Medical Students Have a Positive View of Massage, CAM July 30, 2012Knowledge of the benefits of massage is growing, among both the general public and the medical realm. New research shows osteopathic medical students have a positive attitude toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), of which massage therapy is one method.   The research, conducted by investigators with Ohio University Heritage College of Medicine, in Athens, ...
  • Recent Research That Shows the Benefits of Tai Chi on Elderly Patients July 18, 2012According to a recent report published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the results of an extensive review of research reports showed that tai chi is an effective exercise for both body and mind. Tai chi teaches the mind to move energy across the body using distinct slow movements.   The report described ...
  • The Expanding Role Of Integrative Medicine In Cancer Treatment July 18, 2012Cancer is an insidious disease that often finds ways to defeat the most advanced treatments. As a result, the scientific and medical communities have become increasingly aware that a multi-pronged approach is the best way to beat cancer. On June 16-17, at the Second International Congress on Complementary Oncology in Munich, Germany, integrative medicine pioneer ...
  • Topical tar therapy for psoriasis may be making a comeback December 3, 201011/22/10 LAS VEGAS – Topical tar therapy for psoriasis may be making a comeback thanks to more user-friendly formulations. That trend is happening in Europe and may be replicated in the United States, Dr. Linda Stein Gold said at a dermatology seminar sponsored by Skin Disease Education Foundation (SDEF). Read more here: http://www.internalmedicinenews.com/news/dermatology/single-article/topical-tar-making-a-comeback-in-psoriasis/035d7c035b.html
  • Meditation Lowers Heart Disease Risk In Teens, Study Shows June 20, 2012For the study, which was published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, half of the teens were trained in transcendental meditation and asked to meditate for 15 minutes with a class and 15 minutes at home for a four-month period. The other half was exposed to health education on how to lower blood ...
  • Alternative medicine may help cancer patients June 20, 2012Cancer patients who take complementary and alternative medicine come down with fewer infections than those who do not, a local study has found. They are also less likely to be hospitalized or need antibiotics. The study also noted that the difference in outcomes between users and non-users of these treatments is starker among patients with Stage 4 ...
  • Integrative Medicine: Antioxidants and chemotherapy June 20, 2012Many oncologists have been fearful of having their patients take any antioxidants during chemotherapy for fear that antioxidants might reduce the effectiveness of the chemo. In a recent article in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Dr. Keith Block, a renowned integrative cancer specialist affiliated with the University of Illinois, discussed his review of more than ...
  • Growing Body Of Research Shows Massage Therapy Effective For Prevalent Health Conditions June 12, 2012A growing body of evidence shows massage therapy can be effective for a variety of prevalent health conditions, including the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee, inflammation after exercise, chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia. Massage is rapidly becoming recognized as an important part of health and wellness, and research compiled by the American Massage ...
  • Less Couch Means Less Junk Food June 12, 2012Getting that booty off the couch will mean less time eating junk food, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.  Experts say small lifestyle changes may have a “domino effect” in helping people lose weight.   Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine randomly assigned 204 adults one of ...
  • Acupuncture Research: It Works! June 12, 2012A collaborative investigation between researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore) and the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine concludes that, “Recent clinical trial and systematic review results clearly show acupuncture to be more beneficial Acupuncture Researchthan conventional standard care for many pain conditions….” Published in Medical Acupuncture, the review notes that ...
  • Wren Practitioner attends International Integrative Medicine Conference May 14, 2012CORE 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 ...
  • Complementary Medicine Improves Type 2 Diabetes Care May 12, 2012Diet, 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 ...
  • Complementary Medicine Improves Type 2 Diabetes Care April 30, 2012Diet, 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 ...
  • Patients driving alternative medicine boom April 30, 2012American 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 ...
  • What is Cramp? How to overcome and prevent cramp when running April 26, 2012An interesting article by Kim Ingleby about what and how…well written. Read more:
  • Trial tests effectiveness of treatments for chronic neck pain April 26, 2012People 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 ...
  • Integrative Medicine Classes Help Breast Cancer Survivors Recover April 2, 2012The 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, ...
  • Chinese Herbal Medicine is Twice as Effective for Infertility as Conventional Western Drug Therapy April 2, 2012In 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 – ...
  • Homeopathy Vindicated as Cost-Effective by Swiss Government March 26, 2012In 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. Read more:
  • Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may help women with chronic pelvic pain March 26, 2012It 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 of fine ...
  • New Study Points to Blood Testing for Food Intolerance as Important Tool in Obesity Fight March 26, 2012The study, led by John E. Lewis, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Associate Director of the Medical Wellness Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and co-authored by Judi M. Woolger, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Janet Konefal, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and ...
  • Tai Chi and Yoga Pass Mainstream Health Test March 26, 2012With more than 10 years of scientific research to back her up, Briggs told her audience that, “Tai chi, yoga, acupuncture, meditation, massage and hypnosis can be effective in managing pain, anxiety and fatigue.” Briggs said that successful alternative therapies have a way of winning acceptance. “Breast feeding was not recommended in the 1950s, and even ...
  • Meditation Fights Cancer and Promotes Longevity March 23, 2012“Meditation Fights Cancer and Promotes Longevity” (Market Watch, The Wall Street Journal) Calmly meditating produces exciting, beneficial effects on your body. It can protect your DNA against cancer-promoting genetic developments and free you from everyday stresses and distractions. That’s why meditation is one of the most powerful, but often neglected, tools for maintaining optimal health. Read more ...
  • Most teens with juvenile arthritis use complementary medicine March 19, 2012Seventy-two percent of adolescents with juvenile arthritis use at least one form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but only 45 percent have discussions about it with their health care providers. That’s the message from a new study that found that health care providers are often out of the loop when it comes to discussing complementary ...
  • Alternative Medicine Specialists Push Maryland Lawmakers to Require Coverage of Acupuncture March 19, 2012Lobbyists for alternative medicine are pushing Maryland legislators to force insurance companies to expand coverage of treatments like acupuncture. Under Maryland law, insurance companies aren’t required to cover treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies and traditional Chinese massage. As Maryland lawmakers work this year to overhaul regulation of health insurance coverage, lobbyists for the Maryland Acupuncture Society are ...
  • Soy may improve cancer treatment March 12, 2012Dr. Victor Marchione has reported for the Doctors Health Press, “Healing Food Could Boost Cancer Treatment.” A new study has discovered that compounds in soy could improve the effects of cancer radiotherapy. The target was lung cancer, which is the most difficult of all cancers to cure. These researchers found that soybeans can help the ...
  • NIH launches educational campaign on complementary health therapies March 12, 2012The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the NIH launched a new education campaign to provide information to consumers about alternative therapies and to encourage them to talk to their doctors openly about their use of these therapies. NCCAM will provide a new series of monthly health tips, called Time to Talk Tips, ...
  • Global Traditional Medicine Market to Reach US$114 Billion by 2015 February 23, 2012Consumer interest in alternative medicine (AM) is accelerating across the globe on account of rising healthcare costs associated with contemporary therapies. A growing number of individuals are falling prey to hypertension, depression, sleep disorders, and other lifestyle-related diseases, and are resorting to conventional medical treatments to cure or prevent the onset of such conditions. Complementary ...
  • Alternative Therapies Offer Arthritis Pain Relief February 23, 2012There have been few clinical trials looking at the effectiveness of ginger and tumeric on inflammation, but there are some laboratory data that suggest both can be helpful. “Studies have been done on ginger and tumeric and have shown some anti-inflammatory effects, so there is at least some basic science to suggest these might be ...
  • Acupuncture for Children? San Francisco Chinese Medicine College Now Offers Pediatric Acupuncture Training February 23, 2012Children have been treated with acupuncture for centuries, but it’s just catching on in America. The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco has begun teaching a specialized course on pediatric Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and is in the process of developing a post-graduate certification program that will commence in the fall of ...
  • The Effects of Spirituality in Medical Treatment January 23, 2012The National Cancer Institute stated that in a large survey of cancer survivors, 61 percent reported using spirituality and prayer as a complementary treatment. Spiritual healing includes intercessory prayer, also called distance healing and distance prayer. With intercessory prayer, the person praying asks a higher power to intervene to help a person, who may or may ...
  • Soy may improve cancer treatment January 16, 2012Dr. Victor Marchione has reported for the Doctors Health Press, “Healing Food Could Boost Cancer Treatment.” A new study has discovered that compounds in soy could improve the effects of cancer radiotherapy. The target was lung cancer, which is the most difficult of all cancers to cure. These researchers found that soybeans can help the ...
  • Multiple medicines use very common: New snapshot of over-50s’ medicine habits January 16, 2012The national survey of Australians aged 50 and over found that on the day the snapshot was taken: •Medicines were used by the majority of Australians (87% of Australians aged 50 and over used at least one medicine) •The use of multiple medicines was common with one third of 50-64 year olds, almost half of 65-74 year ...
  • Global Traditional Medicine Market to Reach US$114 Billion by 2015 January 16, 2012Consumer interest in alternative medicine (AM) is accelerating across the globe on account of rising healthcare costs associated with contemporary therapies. A growing number of individuals are falling prey to hypertension, depression, sleep disorders, and other lifestyle-related diseases, and are resorting to conventional medical treatments to cure or prevent the onset of such conditions. Complementary ...
  • Hospitals are making room for alternative therapies January 11, 2012According to a recent survey by the American Hospital Assn. and the Samueli Institute, a nonprofit research group focusing on complementary medicine, 42% of the 714 hospitals that responded offered at least one such therapy in 2010; five years earlier, only 27% of hospitals offered such treatments. Experts say hospitals are embracing these therapies for many ...
  • Nutrients May Stop Brain Shrinkage Linked To Alzheimer’s January 11, 2012Elderly people with diets high in several vitamins or omega 3 fatty acids were less likely to have the brain shrinkage that usually accompanies Alzheimer’s disease than people whose diets were low in those nutrients. Those whose diets were high in omega 3 fatty acids and in vitamins C, D, E and the B vitamins were ...
  • Exploring holistic medicine: Using acupuncture to relieve cancer-related fatigue January 11, 2012Oncology clinicians are constantly searching for treatment options that can provide relief for their patients. A number of them are exploring multimodal interventions. One such group investigated the feasibility of using acupuncture combined with holistic education to relieve CRF. The results of their study were published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.3 The group, at ...
  • More supplement makers spending big money on rigorous research December 19, 2011Studies by Mayo and others are part of rising tide of clinical trials into possible health benefits of nutritional supplements, which represents a $6 billion industry in Utah. Some research is independently funded, but much is sponsored by the industry itself and is conducted on university campuses and in contract-research labs, such as Medicus Research ...
  • 1 In 2 Men In Australia Seek Alternative Medicine When Diagnosed With Cancer December 19, 2011More than 50 percent of men diagnosed with cancer in Australia are turning to complementary and alternative medicine to help find a cure, or to improve their health, according to new research from the University of Adelaide. The study, recently published in Annals of Oncology, is based on an Adelaide questionnaire of 400 men with various ...
  • Deafness cured by gene therapy December 5, 2011A stroke of pioneering science, researchers have managed to restore hearing to a significant level in guinea pigs by using gene therapy, bolstering hope for a similar procedure to cure human deafness in the future. The therapy works by promoting the regeneration of hair cells in the cochlea, the part of the inner ear which registers ...
  • Chinese medicine could double the chances of childless couples conceiving December 5, 2011Couples with fertility problems are twice as likely to get pregnant using traditional Chinese medicine as western drugs, say researchers. They found a two-fold improvement in pregnancy rates over just four months of treatment from practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. Read more:
  • Stretching the boundaries of yoga December 5, 2011Because many yoga postures stretch and strengthen the muscles affecting the back, at least 10 published studies have been done on yoga and chronic low-back pain, says Saper. But though the majority have shown yoga to be promising as a low-cost treatment, all have been done on predominantly white, educated, affluent populations, he says. “In our ...
  • Treating Pain, Other Ailments With Lavender November 27, 2011A recent study shows that breathing the aroma of lavender oil can reduce the stress and pain caused by inserting needles into skin. The study, reported in the September 17 edition of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, tested 30 volunteers. Prior to use of lavender oil, all subjects demonstrated similar pain when needles ...
  • Nurses ‘best placed’ to aid understanding of complementary medicine November 27, 2011Nurses are in a “prime position” to influence the integration of complementary medicine with mainstream healthcare, according to Bournemouth University researchers in the Journal of Clinical Nursing. They interviewed 20 patients using medical herbalism, concluding it had “potential to contribute usefully” to care when used “selectively and in conjunction” with conventional healthcare. Read more:
  • Quercetin may be a useful complementary therapy for conditions involving oxidative damage November 27, 2011Like many other substances in natural medicine, quercetin is a type of plant-based chemical or phytochemical. In fact, quercetin is a common chemical pigment found in the rinds and barks of a wide variety of plants. Quercetin, a flavonol or potent antioxidant, is found in red wine, onions, green tea, apples, berries and cruciferous vegetables.1 ...
  • Happiness Is Other People (Thailand) November 27, 2011What the Thais know instinctively is that a smile, a real smile, is not located in the lips or any other part of the mouth. A real smile is in the eyes. To be precise, the orbicularis oculi muscles that surround each eye. We cannot fool these muscles. They spring to life only for a ...
  • Get stretched out fascial style November 6, 2011Fascial stretch therapy is an assisted stretching technique developed by Ann and Chris Frederick, therapists in Tempe, Arizona, who have been honing the art of stretching for over a decade. Because stretching is the last frontier to conquer with regards to exercise and sports performance, we are now just starting to see some really exciting ...
  • The Doctor’s Remedy: Turmeric for Joint Pain October 24, 2011What the Doctor Says: This orange and yellow spice, famous for its extensive use in South Asian cuisine, also has anti-inflammatory properties. Dr. Santos recommends it frequently to patients complaining of sore and achy joints, and uses it herself to relieve pain in her joints from sports and exercise. “I use a lot of turmeric in my ...
  • Can complementary treatments get rid of bad breath? October 24, 2011The University of California, San Diego’s Complementary Medicine Library lists a few vitamin supplements as having tentative scientific support for their breath freshening qualities. These include folic acid and zinc chloride, which may improve gum health and neutralize some odors, respectively. Read more:
  • Biofeedback to Reduce Stress October 24, 2011Very simply put, the science behind guided biofeedback has to do with heart rate variability, or the variation in the beat-to-beat interval of your heart rate. Researchers have found a significant link between reduced heart rate variability and a decreased quality of life, including greater stress, pain and worry, and a host of other conditions. ...
  • Hospitals offering alternative medicine tripled, based on patient demand October 10, 2011Forty-two percent of hospitals reported that they provide complementary and alternative medical services (CAM), according to a recent report by American Hospital Assocication’s Health Forum and the Samueli Institute. That number has tripled since 2000 with healthcare executives citing rising patient demand as the primary driver for offering such services, reports American Medical News. “The reasons ...
  • Meditation increases happiness October 9, 2011Meditation is an interesting method for increasing one’s sense of happiness because not only has it stood the test of time, but it’s also been tested quite extensively in the lab. Part of the effect of mindfulness meditation is to quiet the mind by acknowledging non-judgmentally and then relinquishing (rather than obsessing about) unhappy or ...
  • Equine Alternative Medicine Gaining Steam in Vet Schools October 8, 2011Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM), such as massage therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, and chiropractic, is gaining popularity among horse owners, yet not all equine practitioners feel confident providing these services. Why? According to researchers from Washington State University’s (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, lack of education appears to be a major contributing factor. That being ...
  • Acupressure and Acupuncture Help Laboring Women October 8, 2011A new review shows that acupressure and acupuncture may have a role in reducing pain, increasing satisfaction with pain management and reduced use of pharmacological management in laboring women. Researchers from the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, set out to examine the effects of acupuncture and acupressure for ...
  • Study Has Provided The First Evidence That Omega-3 May Reduce Anxiety September 19, 2011The results of a recent study by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that a daily diet of Omega-3 fatty acids should be incorporated for the young and healthy individuals, since it has reduced their symptoms of anxiety and inflammation, a process that plays a ...
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine Services on the Rise at Hospitals September 13, 2011Hospitals are increasingly offering complementary and alternative medicine services, with 42 percent of hospitals featuring CAM services in 2011, compared to 37 percent in 2007, according to Health Forum study cited in an AHA News Now report. CAM services include acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, diet and lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, massage therapy and other holistic treatments, according ...
  • Turkish doctors call the tune with traditional musical cures September 13, 2011Standing by the bed of a Cypriot patient who has just undergone vascular surgery, Dr Bingür Sönmez consults a screen monitoring pulse and blood pressure. Then a colleague pulls out a flute and starts playing a popular Turkish tune. If that appears an unusual approach to modern medicine, then it is. But according to doctors at the ...
  • Modified Citrus Pectin Packs Powerful Immune Punch September 7, 2011New research published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) packs a powerful immune punch. The study uses human blood samples to demonstrate the ability of a specific form of Modified Citrus Pectin to very significantly induce and enhance the benefits of T-cytotoxic cells and human Natural Killer (NK) ...
  • Valerian may aid menopausal sleep problems: study September 7, 2011The popular herbal sleep aid valerian could help ease some of the sleep problems that can come with menopause, a small study suggests. Overall, the study found, 30 percent of the women assigned to valerian reported an improvement in their sleep quality — which includes factors like how long it takes to fall asleep at night ...
  • Psoriasis: Complementary and Alternative Treatments May Be Beneficial August 22, 2011Many people use medications to handle their symptoms. An increasing number of people are turning to complementary and alternative medicine in their search for relief. There are a number of CAM options for psoriasis. Among them are mind-body practices, dietary supplements and topical treatments (applied to the skin), according to About.com. Yoga, tai chi, qi gong and ...
  • Acupuncturists Building Bridges With Western Medicine July 25, 2011When Mary Tagliaferri, MD, L.Ac. and Isaac Cohen, OMD, L.Ac. co-founded the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program at the University of California, San Francisco’s Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center and opened the first traditional Chinese medicine clinic at UCSF, their plan was straight forward: employ state of the art technology to rigorously identify and ...
  • Complementary Medicine Popular With Healthcare Workers August 22, 2011More than three-fourths of U.S. healthcare workers turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), quite often to alleviate anxiety, according to a new analysis. Overall, 76% of healthcare professionals said they used at least one form of complementary or alternative therapy compared with 63% of the general population (P
  • Positive Thoughts May Help Treat Depression August 10, 2011Gratitude and optimism may be a key to managing depression, a new review of relevant research finds. Called positive activity interventions (PAIs), the treatment involves intentional positive behaviors and thoughts, such as performing acts of kindness, expressing gratitude, meditating on positive feelings toward others and using one’s signature strengths. Read more:http://www.livescience.com/15409-overcoming-depression-positive-thinking.html
  • Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatments May Ease With CAM Therapies August 10, 2011When the diagnosis is breast cancer, many women will augment their doctor’s care with some form of complementary treatment. In 2006, research from the University of Texas indicated that yoga helped women going through radiation for breast cancer. They were able to function better day-to-day, they slept better and they had elevated moods compared to the ...
  • Medical Students Have Many Alternative Options August 1, 2011Individuals who wish to study this area of medicine can also attend Georgetown University, which has offered a master’s degree program in complementary and alternative medicine since 2003, its website states. Students who enroll in this course of study focus on topics such as massage, acupuncture, herbs and supplements as well as the interactions of ...
  • Massage Therapy’s Place in a Multi-Disciplinary Setting July 25, 2011A skilled massage therapist can successfully integrate mechanical correction with freeing psycho-spiritual blockages. Although an oversimplification of the tenets of massage, the physical manipulation of tendino-muscular groups can facilitate healthful tissue mechanics while massage’s circulation enhancement can move stuck emotions and release unhealthful thought patterns. As such, massage therapy is an ideal component of a ...
  • Affordable Holistic Medicine Can Lower Health Costs July 18, 2011The National Center for Biotechnology Information recently published a story showing CAM therapies (complementary and alternative medicine) that may be considered cost-effective compared to usual care for various conditions: acupuncture for migraine, manual therapy for neck pain, spa therapy for Parkinson’s and more. According to the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine, studies done in Psychosomatic ...
  • Effects of thermal therapy combining sauna and underwater exercise in patients with Fibromyalgia – Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice July 18, 2011Forty-four female FMS patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria received 12-week thermal therapy program comprising: • Sauna therapy once daily for 3 days/week • And underwater exercise once daily for 2 days/week. Pain, symptoms, and QOL were assessed using a pain visual analog scale (VAS), a fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), and a short ...
  • Asthma Study Shows Strong Placebo Effect July 18, 2011In order to test the placebo effect on asthma patients, researchers had 39 patients cycle through four treatment options. They either got the inhaler treatment albuterol, an inhaler with no medicine, a fake acupuncture treatment, (they were told it was real), or no treatment. Patients receiving no treatment said their symptoms improved 21%, but patients receiving ...
  • Reiki: Up and Coming Alternative Therapy July 12, 2011According to Reiki.org, “Reiki treats the whole person including body,emotions, mind, and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well-being. Many have reported miraculous results.” Although many people are at first skeptical of a treatment that uses energy as opposed to physical touch, many hospitals across the nation have ...
  • Study: Massage beats meds for lower back pain July 12, 2011Massage therapy may be better than medication or exercise for easing low back pain in the short term, a new government-funded study suggests. Those who received a series of either relaxation massage or structural massage were better able to work and be active for up to a year than those getting “usual medical care,” which included ...
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine Helps Gut Problems July 3, 2011The New Zealand Society of Naturopaths(NZSN) were interested to see that a study just published about Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use, co-authored by A/Prof Andrew Day (University of Otago), showed that the majority of children attending a gastroenterology clinic had not only used CAM but found it effective for their complaints. Most of the ...
  • Fenugreek: A Food and a Medicine July 3, 2011Fenugreek is a common spice, particularly in India and places that ingest curries. It was discovered to have medicinal qualities thousands of years ago by Ayuravedic practitioners who reported it to be useful for many things including management of metabolic and nutritive disorders such as diabetes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the spice is known ...
  • The Family Physician of the Future July 3, 2011Any discussion of complementary and alternative medicine inevitably polarizes people. Both sides feel very strongly that they are “right” and can provide dramatic examples of the benefits of — or serious harm caused by — whatever approach they support or challenge. However, it is unlikely that anyone will change his or her mind based on ...
  • Special Offers July 1, 2011This page is where details of any special offers will appear first! Keep an eye open for details over the next few weeks and months.
  • Don’t Dismiss These Treatments as Placebos June 20, 2011Evidence is growing, based on carefully controlled studies, that certain non-pharmacological complementary interventions may be useful adjuncts to conventional care. For example, the pain of osteoarthritis can be lessened by acupuncture; tai chi may be helpful in reducing the pain of fibromyalgia; and massage and manipulative therapies may contribute to the relief of chronic back ...
  • Migraines eased after ginger and herb treatment June 20, 2011Migraine sufferers treated with a homeopathic preparation of ginger and the herb feverfew may find some pain relief, according to a preliminary study. Feverfew, which is derived from a flowering plant, has long been thought to be a remedy for headaches. It might offer an alternative to standard migraine medications, which are costly, have side effects ...
  • “What We Have Here Is A Failure to Communicate” June 20, 2011The AARP/NCCAM survey found that 50 percent of men and women reported using some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Of these, three-fourths used CAM to help prevent illness, and an equal number had turned to CAM to reduce pain or treat painful conditions. Clearly, there are good reasons why so many people are ...
  • Indian Spice Rich in Antioxidants June 9, 2011Bitter cumin, a spice that’s often incorporated into ayurvedic treatments, is packed with antioxidants and can boost health, a recent clinical trial suggests. Cathy Wong, About.com’s Alternative Medicine Guide, reports that a series of studies conducted by BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicates that bitter cumin may defend the body against free radicals, which can cause ...
  • http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/11/06/p1139437/canadian-medical-associations-announce-support-of-vitamin-d-scientists June 9, 2011Canadian Medical Associations Announce Support of Vitamin D Scientists’ Call to D*Action for Testing and Higher Serum Levels Read more at: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/11/06/p1139437/canadian-medical-associations-announce-support-of-vitamin-d-scientists
  • Yoga for fibromyalgia June 9, 2011Women suffering from pain, debilitation and other issues caused by fibromyalgia showed significant improvement in pain (24 percent reduction) and other factors when involved in a yoga program. Researchers compared yoga subjects with those getting the standard of medication, exercise and coping skills, according to the 2010 study by the Oregon Health and Science University. Read ...
  • Myofascial Trigger Points and Fibromyalgia: New Research May 31, 2011Have you heard of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and fibromyalgia (FMS), only vaguely comprehending how the two conditions, both of which involve muscle pain throughout the body, are linked? Are they different offshoots from the same epidemiologic source, or are the distinct and separate conditions with distinct and separate treatments? The filmy layer on a ...
  • Acupuncture for Spinal Cord Injuries May 31, 2011A study published in the June issue of the journal “Acupuncture in Medicine” found significant improvements in spinal cord injury patients who received twice weekly treatments of acupuncture and those who received massage therapy. Acupuncture patients fared better in ratings of worst pain intensity at the end of treatment. When patients were checked two months ...
  • Rochester Autism Researchers Present New Findings May 31, 2011Rochester researchers are presenting six abstracts on topics ranging from complementary medicine-use rates to nutritional insufficiencies in children with autism spectrum disorders. They even looked at how artificial food dye might affect children with autism. Read more at: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=3198
  • Dr. Weil says there’s a better approach to evaluating clinical drug trials May 31, 2011Dr. Andrew Weil, among the best-known medical doctors practicing alternative and complementary medicine, suggests researchers are ignoring an important endpoint when they evaluate the success or failure of clinical drug trials: how the patient feels about the treatment. Medicine has become enslaved to “evidence-based” approaches that rely on randomized, clinical trials as the only measure of ...
  • Patients visiting the complementary medicine clinic for pain: a cross sectional study May 15, 2011Pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care. The purpose of this study was to characterize patients visiting the complementary medicine clinic for a pain complaint. Eighty-two patients (50.3%) treated their pain with complementary medicine as a supplement for their conventional treatment, and 55 (33.7%) felt disappointed from the conventional medicine ...
  • Complementary Treatments for Cancer: The Role Reiki And Massage Can Play in Treatment May 15, 2011Two things strike me as important about the above findings. The first is that touch — any kind of touch — appears to be beneficial when you are fighting cancer, including the side effects of medical treatments. Second, the fact that these beneficial effects were not sustained after the massage therapy ended suggests that this ...
  • Complementary help can ease cat’s pain May 15, 2011A good example is omega-3 fatty acids. Research has shown that they can have a significant anti-inflammatory effect on arthritic joints in dogs, and there’s a good chance that cats may benefit as well. Older cats with creaky joints can also get pain relief from a product called Adequan. It is easily injected beneath the ...
  • Fascial manipulation: A new treatment technique to relieve muscle pain May 2, 2011This remarkable procedure allows us to detect and treat areas of dysfunctional muscle or fascia that may be leading to acute or chronic muscle pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a thin strong soft tissue that forms a continuous covering over muscles, nerves, and organs. Read more at: http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/04/25/life/srv0000011496732.txt
  • New Website to Inform Physicians for Alternative Medicine Education May 2, 2011The National Institutes for Health (NIH) announced the launching of a new website designed to be a definitive resource for medical professionals to learn about complementary and alternative medicine in a press release on April 26, 2011. Developed by the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health, the ...
  • Fish Oil May Be Complementary Medicine In Breast Cancer Treatment April 18, 2011Female mice that ingested fish oil supplements with breast cancer drug tamoxifen appeared to have slowed the proliferation of their tumors, compared to rodents given corn oil with the drug, according to researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center. In the controlled study, the team of scientists found that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil ...
  • Honey May Be Effective Alternative Medicine For Infection April 18, 2011A type of honey from New Zealand has been shown to reduce bacterial infection in wounds and also prevent antibiotic resistance, according to researchers at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff. Read more at: http://www.personalliberty.com/news/honey-may-be-effective-alternative-medicine-for-infection-800484392/
  • Integrative medicine, spirituality improves outcomes in urban adolescents with asthma April 18, 2011A new study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) shows that urban adolescents with asthma may experience worse outcomes when not using spiritual coping and often use complementary and alternative medicine, or integrative medicine, like prayer or relaxation, to manage symptoms. These findings, being presented at the National Conference in Pediatric Psychology in ...
  • Research Backs How People Can Make Happiness a Habit April 18, 2011Research shows that being grateful leads people into a higher state of happiness. Sonja Lyubomirsky author of The How of Happiness, suggests that making a list of things people are grateful for in life, practicing random acts of kindness, forgiving enemies and appreciating life’s small pleasures leads to happiness. Read more at: ...
  • Major review shows psychotherapy more effective than CBT in treatment and maintenance post-recovery for depression April 17, 2011Overlooked Psychotherapy Effective in Depression by Mark Moran “For years IPT was primarily a research treatment tested in randomized, controlled trials and hence has not gained widespread dissemination despite its inclusion as a recommended treatment in APA treatment guidelines for depression. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is effective in the treatment of depression both as an independent treatment and in ...
  • Complementary Medicine for U.S. Military Studied March 26, 2011Massage therapy relieves depression and stress while it boosts relaxation, benefits that can assist U.S. service personnel. Now, six medical centers serving U.S. military personnel are partnering with a research institute to study the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for U.S. troops. “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research for Military Operations and Healthcare” was launched recently ...
  • Why 80 Percent of Cancer Patients Use Integrative Medicine April 3, 2011Approximately 83 percent of people with cancer use at least one complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality (11). Using my experience as a health and wellness expert, I have compiled a list of what cancer patients say about the choices they make regarding cancer treatment: (Following, an interesting list of reasons…) Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nalini-chilkov/cancer-complimentary-medicine-_b_838191.html
  • Acupressure to treat traumatic brain injury March 15, 2011A new study has shown that an ancient form of complementary medicine may be effective in helping to treat people with mild traumatic brain injury. The results indicate a link between the acupressure treatments and enhanced cognitive function in study subjects with mild traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Read more at: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-01/health/28643217_1_acupressure-brain-injury-test-subjects
  • Research Backs How People Can Make Happiness a Habit March 15, 2011Research shows that being grateful leads people into a higher state of happiness. Sonja Lyubomirsky author of The How of Happiness, suggests that making a list of things people are grateful for in life, practicing random acts of kindness, forgiving enemies and appreciating life’s small pleasures leads to happiness. Read more at: ...
  • Plantar fascia softens with age and in plantar fasciitis March 15, 2011OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our paper was to evaluate by sonoelastography the Achilles tendon of asymptomatic volunteers and of patients referring for chronic overuse-associated pain, also comparing these findings with those obtained with B-mode ultrasound (US). CONCLUSIONS: Sonoelastography shows increased stiffness in symptomatic enlarged Achilles tendons in comparison to normal ones. Read more at: http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.php?p=197148
  • Practitioners of traditional medicine more open to ‘complementary’ treatments February 28, 2011Doctors trained in traditional Western ways are increasingly embracing and acknowledging therapies that fall into a category they call “complementary medicine.” Acupuncture, nasal rinses, nutritional supplements and other approaches that many doctors formerly frowned upon – or at least were skeptical of – are becoming commonplace. A national survey in 2007 found that almost 40 percent of ...
  • Finally, an exercise for those who don’t like to exercise February 28, 2011Fitness Instructor Levana Benabe looks like one of those people who’s been fit all her life. Not true. A car accident took its toll. Then she discovered Yamuna Body Rolling and went to Vancouver, British Columbia for training. Pilates Seattle International Director Lauren Stephen was so impressed with Levana’s transformation that she decided to offer Yamuna classes ...
  • Remedies: Clove Oil for Tooth Pain February 28, 2011What can you do in a pinch when you have a toothache? Most people reach for age-old medicine-cabinet staples like Anbesol and Orajel, which contain benzocaine, an anesthetic, as their active ingredient. Benzocaine, like many other anesthetics, can cause allergic reactions and other side effects that some people find unpalatable. But one natural alternative is clove oil, ...
  • GotProHealth Brings Complementary Medicine to NFL Players and their Families February 14, 2011GotProHealth is launching a new member discount program for the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to educate current and former players and their families on the use of complementary and natural medicine. Read more here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/02/prweb5018844.htm
  • Strike a Pose to Reduce Anxiety February 14, 2011While many practitioners of yoga seem almost mystical and more philosophical than the average bear, a new study proves that you need not be a yogi to achieve the anti-anxiety benefits of yoga. Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reports that practicing yoga postures increased the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in ...
  • Massage Benefits Are More Than Skin Deep February 14, 2011Volunteers who received Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol in blood and saliva, and in arginine vasopressin, a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. They also had increases in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system. Volunteers who had the light ...
  • Myofascial Release Lessens Pain and Anxiety in Fibromyalgia Patients February 14, 2011New research shows myofascial release, a type of touch therapy that releases connective-tissue restrictions, can improve anxiety levels, quality of sleep, pain and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. Researchers from the Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, at the University of Almería in Almería, Spain, performed this randomized, controlled clinical trial, according to an abstract ...
  • Acupuncture for Dry Eye Relief? February 14, 2011Acupuncture may help ease dry eye syndrome, a small study suggests. Published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, the study involved 36 people with dry eye syndrome (a condition that occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough to tears to stay properly lubricated). For four weeks, each participant received acupuncture three times weekly. At ...
  • Autism is a vitamin d deficiency disorder? February 14, 2011A new study in the June 2010 issue of Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggests that autism is a vitamin D deficiency disorder. The study showed children with autism had significantly lower levels of vitamin D and calcium compared to children without the condition. Read more here: http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/autism_is_a_vitamin_d_deficiency_disorder_0111110825.html
  • Mindfulness therapy seen as aid to stress reduction January 12, 2011A study this month in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that mindfulness-based therapy worked as well as antidepressants in preventing relapses of depression over an 18-month period. Read more here: http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/3071425-423/mindfulness-stress-health-based-reduction.html
  • Difference Between Complementary and Alternative Therapy December 27, 2010Although complementary therapy and alternative therapy are often used interchangeably, they are two different forms of therapy. You cant blame others for thinking they are the same since resources use one term to mean the other, like complementary therapy to mean alternative therapy and vice versa. Read more here: http://rolfingdallas.org/alternative-therapies/difference-between-complementary-and-alternative-therapy
  • Battling H1N1 January 3, 2011There are thousands of herbs out there and knowing which ones to chose and what exactly they do can become difficult. So to take the guess work out of the equation, here are the herbs recommended from some notable authorities…. Read more at: http://www.examiner.com/alternative-medicine-in-detroit/battling-h1n1
  • Remedies: Herbal Ear Drops for Infections January 3, 2011In one study, published in The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in 2001, a team of pediatricians recruited 103 children ages 6 to 18 with earaches resulting from acute otitis media. The subjects were randomly split into groups and assigned to be treated with either anesthetic ear drops or an herbal ear drop known ...
  • Handgrip strength test used to assess fibromyalgia January 3, 2011A handgrip strength test has been developed as a complementary tool in the assessment of fibromyalgia severity in women. Handgrip strength was measured in both hands (and the average score was used in the analyses) by a maximal isometric test using a hand dynamometer. Read more here: http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=15833
  • Complementary Medicine Use for Skin Disorders Has Risen December 27, 2010Complementary and alternative medicine use is high among people with skin disorders and has increased in this group, according to a report in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. The 2007 survey revealed that 84.5 percent of people with skin problems reported using CAM, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal ...
  • Many Patients with Incurable Brain Tumors Seek Complementary Therapies December 27, 2010Many people diagnosed with incurable brain tumors turn to complementary therapies to slow the growth of their cancer or relieve side effects like fatigue and depression, new research shows. The study, published in the Dec. 14 issue of the journal Neurology, included completed questionnaires from 621 patients with glioma brain tumors who had received conventional treatment, ...
  • Study Examines Novel Gene Therapy Approach For Severe Hemophilia B December 20, 2010A study examining novel gene therapy for the treatment of the bleeding disorder hemophilia B will be presented recently at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Hemophilia B is an inherited bleeding disease in which patients lack proteins that enable the blood to clot. “The results of this study show promise that ...
  • The Age of Depression – worrying trends in its treatment December 20, 2010The Atlantic: Monday, December 20, 2010 Jonah Lehrer says that we live in it. And he’s worried about depression treatment trends: The percentage of depressed subjects seeking psychotherapy for treatment declined dramatically between 1998 and 2007, from 53.6 percent to 43.1 percent. (This drop has come despite the fact that a majority of subjects say talk therapy ...
  • You might be better off doing some yoga than going for a walk December 20, 2010Need to calm down? You might be better off doing some yoga than going for a walk (particularly in this snow). A new study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine randomly assigned 19 people to an Iyengar yoga program and 15 to a metabolically matched regular walking regimen. Those in the yoga group saw ...
  • Mylanta Recall and Possible Natural Alternatives for Indigestion December 20, 2010Mylanta and AlternaGEL are over-the-counter medications used to treat indigestion, gas, heartburn, and bloating. Several natural remedies are promoted by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) advocates, including ginger, turmeric, baking soda, peppermint, and rosemary, even though there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. A recent study from Italy, for example, found that a mixture ...
  • Christmas and New Year Opening 2010/2011 December 18, 2010From the 21st December-23rd December 2010 the following practitioners will be in: Gilli Hanna – Counsellor/Psychotherapy – 07771 766055 Gillian Hamer – Nutritionist/Reflexology – 07710 147 076 Andrew Hunter – McTimoney Chiropractor – 078559 16602 Georgia Foster – Hypnotherapy – 07768 858 828 Bev Breeze –Shiatsu – 07967 005794 Anna Dimitrov – Beauty Therapy & LA Stone – 07949 105705 Elizabeth ...
  • Complementary Therapies for Depression December 14, 2010Depression is one of the most common reasons for using complementary and alternative therapies. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the evidence available on the treatment of depression with complementary therapies. Systematic literature searches were performed using several databases, reference list searching, and inquiry to colleagues. Data extraction followed a ...
  • New Chinese Therapy Coming to America December 14, 2010One of the newest healing therapies is not available in America yet even though it’s one of the most researched. Developed twenty years ago in China, Integrated Body-Mind Training (IBMT) is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. It combines several mind-body techniques including body relaxation, breath adjustment, mental imagery and mindfulness training in a music-filled environment ...
  • Doctors Use Acupuncture as Newest Battlefield Tool December 14, 2010WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2010 – J.D. Nichols, a retired Navy flight officer and cryptologist, limped into the Air Force Acupuncture Center at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland early yesterday morning, leaning heavily on a cane. A couple of hours later, moving easily without the cane and with the ends of tiny gold needles glittering in both ...
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) research targets memory reconsolidation December 3, 2010“The field of psychiatry is facing a paradigm shift with new research suggesting that medications and psychotherapy may be able to permanently erase the “trauma” from traumatic memories, according to several experts. The experimental treatment, known as reconsolidation blockade, has been shown to interrupt the neurobiologic process of memory formation. “We do not erase people’s memories,” Alain ...
  • Welcome to the winter ‘blues’ (SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder) December 3, 2010“This smack of winter weather will be with us for the next several months and for some it may affect their mood and overall outlook. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons. The most common type of SAD is called winter depression. It usually begins in late fall or early ...
  • Company programmes September 18, 2010DO YOU WORK IN HUMAN RESOURCES OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES? The current financial climate has led a lot of companies to downscale both their personal development and occupational health programmes and even stop them altogether. This is counterproductive as it undermines morale and causes succession problems. The Wren can offer a wide range of help ...
  • Current vacancy – Physiotherapist September 20, 2010We currently looking for a fully qualified physiotherapist with at least three years experience post-qualification, interested in developing their private practice in the City of London. Could this be you? Please contact the Receptionists and arrange a meeting with a member of the management team.
  • Current vacancy – Alexander teacher September 20, 2010We currently looking for a fully qualified Alexander teacher with at least three years experience post-qualification, interested in developing their private practice in the City of London. Could this be you? Please contact the Receptionists and arrange a meeting with a member of the management team.
  • Recent Study Proves Supplements Do Work September 27, 2010Date: 24/09/10 The European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Big Pharma may all seem to be in cahoots to veto the future of alternative medicine and the use of natural remedies but one study from down-under brings hope for all of us. Australian researchers, from the University of Western Sydney, have found that ...
  • New research shows biological changes in body from a good massage September 27, 2010“MASSAGE: New research shows biological changes in body from a good rub-a-dub-dub” September 22, 2010 Researchers took 53 adults and gave 29 of them a 45-minute session of deep-tissue Swedish massage and the other 24 to a session of light massage. To the amazement of some of the researchers they found through examining the test subjects blood workups ...
  • Prostate cancer September 27, 2010Awareness and new treatments provide hope for prostate cancer patients. This week the Vancouver Sun is running a series of articles on the latest developments surrounding this disease. Experts expect that the disease will become merely a condition to be managed, similar to diabetes. By Tiffany Crawford, Vancouver Sun September 27, 2010 Read more ...
  • Goals and desires workshop September 29, 2010One of my NLP teachers used to say, “in life you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you communicate.” A powerful way to communicate to the universe what it is that you want, is to set goals and to take action with relaxed expectation and gratitude. Goals and Desires – I ...
  • Research funding for integrative medicine October 5, 2010We were delighted to see that our cousins on the other side of the Atlantic are investing in research into integrative approaches to medicine… Boston Medical Center is to receive 2 grants for integrative medicine research from the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) to study the effectiveness of integrative medicine in underserved ...
  • Psychotherapy as a treatment for tinnitus October 8, 2010According to the Association of German Neurologists (BVDN), Chronic tinnitus – a constant noise or ringing in the ears – is sometimes treatable with psychotherapy. Stress, which often triggers the chronic form of the hearing disorder, can be treated with various therapies. The BVDN has suggested that the therapist could help the patient determine the ...
  • Backcare Awareness Week = 11-16 October October 10, 2010BackCare, the national charity for healthier backs, is running a Backcare Awareness week from 11th – 16th October. BackCare operates a telephone helpline to offer advice, support, and information to callers, sponsors research into the causes, management and prevention of back pain, and provides information about back pain and related issues through its publications, forum, and ...
  • Revised guidelines for the treatment of depression October 10, 2010For the first time in 10 years, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its practice guidelines for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The guidelines, which took 5 years to update, include new evidence-based recommendations on a wide range of clinical issues, including the use of antidepressant medications, depression-focused psychotherapies, and somatic treatments — ...
  • Group psychotherapy and breast cancer October 11, 2010Writing in Psychology Today on the 1st October, Dr Molly Castelloe Fong explains the current understanding of the use of psychotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer: “”I am my own inflatable doll,” writes artist and breast cancer survivor Jo Beth Ravitz. Two weeks after her double mastectomy, “110 cc’s of saline went into each ...
  • Psychotherapy essential in treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures October 16, 2010Following a pilot randomized controlled trial with the drug Sertraline, a larger scale research project has begun examining the combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment in helping patients who suffer from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). The drug therapy dramatically reduces the incidence of the seizures, but psychotherapy is anticipated as being essential in identifying ...
  • The consumption of water in psychotherapy October 17, 2010Ryan Howes, writing in Psychology Today, says; “I think my office building consumes more liquid per square foot than any other building in Los Angeles. That’s because it’s saturated with therapists. If you sit in the lobby at 55 minutes past the hour you’ll see a platoon of clients loading into the elevators to make it ...
  • Sleep disorders, illness and lifestyle change October 18, 2010The German Association for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (DGPPN) have published a warning that sleep disorders can not only be an indication of psychological illness but also of severe physical ones too. For example, chronic sleep deprivation can result in obesity and, in extreme cases, lead to the onset of diabetes. The first port of call ...
  • Gentle exercise key to easing lower back pain October 19, 2010Gentle exercise key to easing lower back pain – Intensity, positions must be decided on age and condition Tuesday, October 12, 2010 Gunnar Mossberg reports: “Acute low back pain affects up to 80 percent of the population at some time, often repeatedly. Research studies have shown that exercise therapy is one of the few treatments for low ...
  • How a Vacation Taught me The Lost Art of Self-Care October 24, 2010How a Vacation Taught me The Lost Art of Self-Care Monday October 18, 2010 by Sherry Gaba “Most of us believe, in theory, that we should make efforts to take better care of ourselves, through better eating, more exercise, or working our recovery programs. But we can fall into the trap of forgetting to engage or these behaviors. ...
  • The Doctor Is Back in Session on HBO October 25, 2010ALESSANDRA STANLEY writing in the New York Times says: Therapy is out of fashion and almost off the air. Tony isn’t discussing his dreams on “The Sopranos” anymore. “Huff,” a Showtime shrink played by Hank Azaria, is long gone, and “Head Case,” a send-up of psychiatry on Starz, was also canceled. HBO shut down “Tell ...
  • Six ways to open up and talk in psychotherapy October 25, 2010John M Grohol PsyD writes: “I’ve shared more in my blog than I could ever tell my therapist.” “I wish my therapist could read this online support group. Then they might begin to understand what I’m really going through.” You’ve gathered up the energy and resources to start psychotherapy. It’s a big step and you’re excited to ...
  • Why your desk job is slowly killing you November 1, 2010Even if you exercise, the more hours a day you sit, the greater your risk of early death. Hamilton’s take, which is supported by a growing body of research, is that the amount of time you exercise and the amount of time you spend on your butt are completely separate factors for heart-disease risk. New evidence ...
  • Barefoot Running Strides into the Mainstream with Pros and Cons for Runners November 2, 2010SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Until recently, running shoeless has had little more than a fringe following of enthusiasts. However, new research and the popularity of “five finger” shoes–a minimalist shoe that fits the foot like a glove–has barefoot running striding into the mainstream. Read more here: http://newsblaze.com/story/2010102516300200001.pnw/topstory.html
  • Dupuytren’s Disease: Pioneering new treatments for a crippling condition November 4, 2010Monday, October 25, 2010 “Dupuytren’s Disease is a condition almost entirely restricted to people of Northern European descent and is most common in patients over the age of 60. The condition affects the fascial layer of the palm, between the skin and the tendons. The fascia thickens and develops first nodes, and eventually long strands of ...
  • Music Therapy For Arthritis November 5, 2010Friday, October 29, 2010, “For centuries humans have been using forms of music as therapy. This therapy for arthritis may sound new to the age but is a therapeutic concept that helps in releasing endorphins and other substances from brain that lead to changes in heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. Psychological aspects are important in ...
  • Debra Winger drops back in November 6, 2010“When Debra Winger, the actor who is now as famous for walking away from her chosen profession as for excelling within it, first met with the producers of HBO’s psychotherapy drama “In Treatment,” it was because they were hoping to entice her to take on the role of Frances, a complicated, unhappy and sometimes evasive ...
  • Differences in the quality of interpersonal care in complementary and conventional medicine November 10, 2010The study which was part of a nationwide evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Swiss primary care. The aim of the study was to compare patient-physician relationships and the respective patient-reported relief of symptoms between CAM and conventional primary care (COM). Methods: A comparative observational study in Swiss primary care with written survey ...
  • Modern medicine has forgotten the essence of illness care November 10, 2010Modern medicine has forgotten the essence of illness care Prof. B. M. Hegde “One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicines.”– Sir William Osler In the 21st century, I could only echo that great sentiment as a truism, despite the tall talk of the “so-called” evidence-based medicine. ...
  • Largest obesity study November 18, 2010The largest obesity study ever conducted in Australia has been launched on-line. The survey is open to anyone in Broken Hill, where hospital admissions due to obesity are significantly higher than the state average. Dr Mark Donohoe, founder of the Centre for Evidence-based Complementary Medicine, says the survey will give people a comprehensive report that they can ...
  • Evidence that complementary therapies offer effective treatment for insomnia November 18, 2010Researchers who conducted a systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for insomnia say some therapies, including acupressure, are promising—but that when it comes to treating sleeplessness, Swedish massage and some other CAM therapies need further research. This review showed: • acupressure, yoga and tai chi are all effective in addressing insomnia • there is mixed ...
  • Chinese, Western medicine join to combat cancer November 18, 2010Huang Ping-xun, a Chinese medicine doctor at Miaoli County’s Da Chien General Hospital, said contrary to some beliefs, treatment of cancer using both Chinese and Western medicine concurrently is in fact effective. Pointing to research that shows how Chinese medicine helps relieve the pain and discomfort from radiation therapy and chemotherapy, Huang said the combined effect ...
  • Study says yoga reduces anxiety and improves mood November 19, 2010Yoga has a greater positive effect on a person’s mood and anxiety level than other forms of exercise, according to a study published in the November edition of prestigious monthly Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Yoga’s ability to improve mood and lessen anxiety is linked to increased levels of a critical brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid ...
  • Holiday Opening 2010-2011 November 24, 2010The Clinic will be closed for ‘casual’ visitors from Saturday 18th December 2010 to Monday 3rd January 2011 INCLUSIVE. Some practitioners WILL be seeing clients between these dates and will advise you accordingly. General messages can be left on the Wren answerphone and will be dealt with when we re-open. Emails sent to our office address will also ...
  • The use of aspirin and statins can reduce depression November 27, 2010“A study that appears in the current issue of ‘Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics’ addresses the association between the use of aspirin and statins and the risk of major depression. Chronic disease states characterised by inflammation are often accompanied by depression. Furthermore, depression is commonly reported among patients following exposure to cytokine-based immunotherapy, systemic inflammation has been ...
  • Are all those vitamins actually making you sick? November 29, 2010“Millions of us pop them daily, but a new book says vitamin pills can do us more harm than good The freezing weather and interminable ­winter colds may have got you reaching for the ­echinacea or vitamin C tablets, but you might want to reconsider. Because in a controversial new book that’s been a phenomenon in the ...