When doctors are unable to determine what causes a patient’s symptoms, people often turn to alternative medicine. A new study examining the effects of acupuncture for such patients suggests that the treatment can make a significant difference for symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue. Attending frequently with medically unexplained symptoms is distressing for both… [Continue Reading]
Acupuncture Improves Quality of Life for Patients With No Clear Diagnosis
June 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
New Pain-Killer Synthesized, Based on Medicinal Tree Bark
May 26, 2011 By 1 Comment
Current painkillers are not appropriate for everyone, and the strongest available can have severe side effects. Researchers have succeeded in synthesizing a compound with pain-killing properties, that was originally isolated from a tree bark used in traditional medicine. Although how the compound works is not yet known, the potency is comparable to morphine. Scientists from… [Continue Reading]
New Book on the History and Health Claims of Probiotics
March 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The health claims made by manufacturers of supplements and food products are often trusted by consumers, but the basis for these claims isn’t always scientifically clear. A new book has come out describing how the practice of marketing probiotics for health began, and how the health claims of these products are evaluated. The medical benefits… [Continue Reading]
Controlling Children’s Asthma Not Helped by Alternative Medicine
November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
While many parents look to alternative therapies to help their children control asthma symptoms, there has been a lack of evidence showing that techniques such as acupuncture, or herbs are effective. In fact, a recent study of more than 2000 children has shown that while most parents believe that complementary therapy helps, its use actually… [Continue Reading]
Homeopathic Consultations Can Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
November 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
New evidence that homeopathic consultations can reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis has been revealed by scientists. In a study published today in the journal Rheumatology, researchers found that arthritis patients significantly benefited when they received homeopathy alongside conventional treatment over a period of 6 months, but this improvement was due to homeopathy’s consultation process… [Continue Reading]
Massage Modifies Immune Response
September 8, 2010 By 2 Comments
Researchers have reported people who undergo massage experience measureable changes in their body’s immune and endocrine response. Although there have been previous, smaller studies about the health benefits of massage, the Cedars-Sinai study is widely believed to be the first systematic study of a larger group of healthy adults. “Massage is popular in America, with… [Continue Reading]
Benefits of Cannabis for Chronic Pain Treatment Demonstrated in Study
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The medicinal use of cannabis has been debated by clinicians, researchers, legislators and the public at large for many years as an alternative to standard pharmaceutical treatments for pain, which may not always be effective and may have unwanted side effects. A new study provides evidence that cannabis may offer relief to patients suffering from… [Continue Reading]
Evidence on Effectiveness of Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infections
August 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Scientists have reported new scientific evidence on the effectiveness of that old folk remedy — cranberry juice — for urinary tract infections. “A number of controlled clinical trials — these are carefully designed and conducted scientific studies done in humans — have concluded that cranberry juice really is effective for preventing urinary tract infections,” said… [Continue Reading]