Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE MAY EASE CHEMOTHERAPY FOR BREAST CANCER
Chinese herbal medicine could protect the immune systems of breast cancer patients from the side effects of chemotherapy. A new Cochrane Systematic Review has found that using Chinese herbs either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy may help protect a breast cancer patient’s bone marrow and immune system. The review also found that Chinese herbs improve quality of life.
As part of the review, scientists working for the Cochrane Collaboration analyzed data from seven randomized studies involving 542 women with breast cancer who were undergoing or had recently undergone chemotherapy. All the studies compared treatment with chemotherapy alone vs. chemotherapy plus a Chinese herb or herbal regimen. Sixty percent of women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer experience a range of significant short-term side effects.
The researchers concluded the trials provided evidence that Chinese herbal treatments can reduce some short-term side effects of chemotherapy, such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and bone marrow suppression. “The results suggest that using Chinese herbs in conjunction with chemotherapy or Chinese herbal medicines alone may be beneficial in terms of improvements in bone marrow suppression and immune system, and may improve overall quality of life,” the researchers said.
In three studies, women given herbal remedies saw a noticeable improvement in their number of white blood cells-a key element of the immune system, made in bone marrow. Two of the studies indicated herbal compounds appeared to have a general positive effect on quality of life. “Western physicians not trained in traditional Chinese medicine or the use of Chinese medicinal herbs should not dismiss these approaches as being without theory or clinical basis, and should likewise support further studies in the field,” wrote the researchers in the latest issue of the online journal Cochrane Library.
Chinese herbal therapy, combined with acupuncture and lifestyle modifications, can effectively treat a variety of conditions. If you have health concerns, call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500 to schedule a free initial 15-minute consultation.

SENIORS NOT DISCUSSING CAM USE WITH THEIR DOCTORS

Among people age 50 or older, 69 percent of those who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) do not discuss it with their doctors, according to a new study conducted by AARP and the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The telephone survey, administered to a nationally representative group of 1,559 people age 50 or older, examined patient-doctor communication practices regarding CAM use.

Reasons for non-communication vary. Respondents most often did not discuss their CAM use with doctors because the physicians never asked (42 percent), they did not know that they should (30 percent), believed that their doctor wouldn’t know anything or would be dismissive (29 percent), or there was not enough time during the office visit (19 percent). “We know that people 50 and older tend to be high users of complementary and alternative medicine, but this study was the first to explore gaps in communications regarding the use of CAM between patients and their physicians,” said Cheryl Matheis, AARP Director of Health Strategies.

The topics most often discussed with doctors were the effectiveness of a CAM therapy (67 percent), what to use (64 percent), how a CAM therapy might interact with other medications or treatments received (60 percent), advice on whether to pursue a CAM therapy (60 percent), and safety of a CAM therapy (57 percent). When those surveyed did speak to their doctors, conversation tended to focus on effectiveness, safety and potential interactions. Safety and potential interactions are important due to the high-incidence of polypharmacy among surveyed seniors.

Of the individuals surveyed, 63 percent have used one or more CAM therapies, often for mixed reasons including treatment of specific conditions (66 percent), overall wellness (65 percent), conventional treatment supplement (45 percent), and illness prevention (42 percent). “An open dialogue between consumers and their physicians is critical to ensuring safe and appropriate integrated care,” said Margaret A. Chesney, Ph.D., NCCAM’s Deputy Director. For more information about CAM for therapeutic and preventative therapy contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION USE CAM FOR INSOMNIA AND SLEEP DISORDERS

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are used by over 1.6 million American adults to treat insomnia and related sleep disorders, concludes a recent study appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine September 18 sleep theme issue. Those using CAM are more likely to use biologically based therapies including herbs and vitamins, or mind-body practices such as guided imagery, meditation, yoga, Taijiquan, visualization, hypnosis, or other relaxation techniques.

Researchers at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health, analyzed information on 31,044 U.S. adults from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey to examine how common sleeping disorders were and how often people used alternative techniques to treat them. Findings revealed that 17.4 percent of adults reported difficulty sleeping in the last 12 months and 4.5 percent of those, or an estimated 1.62 million people, used some form of CAM to treat their condition.

Insomnia or sleep difficulties are most often associated with significant health conditions, including hypertension, congestive heart failure, anxiety and depression, and obesity, according to the survey data. The study findings could have implications for treating these comorbidities rather than alleviating insomnia as a health condition unrelated to other chronic illnesses.

The two most common reasons people gave for using CAM to treat insomnia were they thought it would be interesting to try (nearly 67 percent) and they thought CAM combined with a conventional treatment would be helpful (nearly 64 percent). Of those using herbal medicine or relaxation techniques, almost half reported an improvement in their sleep condition. The 2002 survey findings indicated that five relaxation techniques and imagery, biofeedback, and hypnosis were used by more than 30 percent of the adult U.S. population.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

OVER ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS USE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

More than 37 percent of U.S. households now use alternative medicine for therapeutic or preventative health care, according to a Thomson Medstat consumer healthcare survey of 23,000 adults. Alternative medicine practices include acupuncture, massage therapy, homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic, and herbal medicine.

The primary reasons for use were general wellness (40.8 percent), treatment of an illness (32.5 percent), supplement traditional care (10.2 percent), and prevent an illness (9.9 percent). The survey results are consistent with a 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, which found that 36 percent of Americans were using some sort of “complementary and alternative” therapy. Alternative medicine use is most prevalent among those with incomes over $100,000 per year (49.9 percent) and those with post-graduate degrees (49.6 percent).

“Despite widespread concern about the lack of FDA oversight over the alternative healthcare marketplace and the potential for adverse reactions between traditional medications and alternative supplements, the most highly educated and well paid Americans continue to drive the growth of the alternative medicine movement. It is instructive to note that the demographic group with arguably the most healthcare resources at its disposal is the most likely to seek alternatives outside the bounds of traditional Western medicine,” the survey authors conclude.

The most common alternative treatments were herbal supplements (23 percent), massage/chiropractic (22.1 percent), mind-body practices (6.5 percent), a category of acupuncture/naturopathy/Ayurveda (3.2 percent), and energy therapies (2.6 percent). Nearly two-thirds of respondents said their physicians were aware of their use of alternative medicine. Alternative medicine was used for lower back pain (45.9 percent), skin problems (44.7 percent), heartburn (40.1 percent), osteoporosis (36.2 percent), cancer (35.8 percent), and diabetes (32.1 percent). The survey found that people in the 35- to 64-year-old age group were the most prevalent alternative medicine users.

For more information about complementary and alternative therapies for treatment and wellness contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

TCM FOR DIABETES HAS SCIENTIFIC BACKING

Reports of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) having beneficial effects for people suffering from type 2 diabetes now has some scientific evidence to back up the claims. A collaboration between Chinese, Korean and Australian scientists at Sydney’s Garvan Institute has revealed that the natural plant product berberine could be a valuable new treatment.

Berberine (plant alkaloid) is found in the roots and bark of a number of plants used for medicinal purposes including wound healing and has been documented as having anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties. Berberine is a component of goldenseal, marketed in the combination herbal supplement of echinacea and goldenseal. It has been used in TCM as a remedy for diabetes (among other medicinal purposes) and documented in Chinese literature as having glucose-lowering properties when administered to diabetics, but its mode of action was unknown.

The study, published in a recent issue of Diabetes, investigated the metabolic effects of berberine in two models of insulin-resistance and insulin-responsive cell lines. “Our studies in models of diabetes show that berberine acts in part by activating an enzyme in the muscle and liver that is involved in improving sensitivity of the tissue to insulin—this in turn lowers blood sugar levels. In addition, it seems berberine can reduce body weight,” said Garvan scientist Jiming Ye, M.D. The next step is to investigate how berberine activates the enzyme that mediates these ‘insulin-sensitizing’ effects.

Type 2 diabetes is a growing health concern that requires development of new therapy treatments. A large number of patients cannot tolerate current medications (metformin) and the TZD group of drugs cause weight gain. “Berberine has been used for decades, if not centuries, with few reported side effects. Given the limitations of existing medicines we are excited to have evidence that berberine may be a new treatment for type 2 diabetes,” said Professor James, head of the Garvan’s Diabetes & Obesity Research Program and co-author of the Diabetes paper. For more information about TCM treatment for diabetes contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

MIND-BODY MEDICINE

Mind-body medicine motivational writer/speaker Deepak Chopra, M.D., continues to transform health awareness through Ayurvedic medicine, mindfulness, yoga, and spirituality. Chopra advocates self-awareness and meditation as primary factors influencing both health and illness through the mind-body interconnection. “Health is more than the absence of disease; it is a dynamic state of balance and integration of body, mind and spirit,” writes Chopra.

His healing approach combining western medicine with Eastern natural healing traditions has changed the worldview of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Through mind-body-spirit events, workshops, programs, and seminars worldwide, Chopra provides a new paradigm for human potential/empowerment, longevity, personal balance, spiritual enlightenment, and modern health care tailored to individuals at critical physical, emotional and spiritual stages of their lives.

Based on the ancient Ayurvedic belief that the body is created out of consciousness, Chopra focuses on consciousness as the place where healing must begin. Consciousness is also the basis for forming reality. “Intuition, insight, imagination, intention, inspiration, creativity—these are the raw materials of consciousness. With them, we can mold our personal reality and through critical mass shape our collective reality, as well.”

The human being and its wellness are based on a Hindu pantheism (everything that exists is ultimately a unity), according to Chopra. Related to this fundamental worldview, Chopra teaches the belief that human possibility is limitless (divinity existing in the universe also exists within the individual) and interconnects with coincidence. “When you live your life with an appreciation of coincidences and their meanings, you connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities.”

“The living body is the best pharmacy ever devised. It produces diuretics, painkillers, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and antibiotics. It applies the right dosages with minimal or no side effects, and the directions are inbuilt,” writes Chopra. For more information on mind-body medicine contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE AND CAM

Is evidence-based medicine (EBM) sufficient for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research? The December special issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies presents articles that explore EBM and alternative strategies to EBM for evaluating CAM and in particular, options for conducting CAM research on cancer.

EBM is widely accepted as the “gold-standard” for scientific studies. Over the years, EBM has both supported and denied the value of allopathic medicine practices, while having less association with CAM practices. Since most CAM practices are complex and focus on healing rather than cure the question arises as to whether EBM principles are sufficient for making clinical decisions about CAM.

“While evidence-based medicine’s emphasis on randomized controlled trials has many benefits, researchers and clinicians have found that this focus may be too limited for complex systems such as complementary and alternative medicine, and other approaches to healing,” said Wayne B. Jonas, M.D., president and chief executive officer of the Samueli Institute and this special issue’s guest editor.

This issue discusses whether clinical research on CAM using randomized placebo-controlled trials designs is the best strategy for making evidence-based decisions in clinical practice, and describes strategies that use “whole systems” and “integrated evaluation models” as potential new standards for research on CAM.

The accompanying editorial delineates the issue’s theme and main question “whether ‘top of the evidence hierarchy’ approaches—clinical and laboratory research—have, so far, moved us toward answering relevant questions about the use of complementary medicine and to explore alternatives to those approaches in complementary medicine for cancer.” The issue also explores whether studies that lay the groundwork for similar studies on integrative medicine systems that include a comprehensive approach to disease and treatment might result in development of “a new gold standard for practice decisions.”

For more information on CAM for wellness and treatment contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CAM USE MOST LIKELY IN MIDDLE AGE

Middle-aged people are more likely than younger or older individuals to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for health maintenance, according to a Wake Forest University School of Medicine study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Aging and Health. The study is the first to estimate age-related differences in whether CAM is used for treatment of an existing health condition or for illness prevention.

The researchers carried out a survey on 20 types of CAM medicine divided into four categories: Alternative medical systems (acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy); biologically based therapies (folk medicine, herb use, megavitamins); body-based methods (massage, chiropractic); and mind-body interventions (meditation, yoga).

“A greater percentage of midlife adults, principally those aged 45 to 54, used at least one CAM modality within each of the major categories in the past year than did younger or older adults,” wrote lead investigator Joseph Grzywacz, Ph.D. “Midlife adults entered adulthood at a time of more widespread use of CAM in the population and when public health policy was shifting toward individual responsibility for health and health promotion.”

Data results were drawn from 31,044 participants in the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, a national sample conducted annually by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. The study sought to determine distinct types of CAM in terms of age-related usage (no usage, for treatment only, for prevention only, for both treatment and prevention). About 40 percent of adults between the ages of 35 and 64 reported they use CAM for either treatment, illness prevention or both.

“Some types of CAM, such as alternative medicine systems (acupuncture), are used primarily for treating existing conditions,” Grzywacz said. “Others, such as mind-body interventions (meditation, yoga) are used primarily for illness prevention.” For more information on CAM for both treatment and health promotion contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CAM TREATMENT FOR ALLERGIC DISEASES INCREASES

At a symposium held at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), a team of experts discussed the efficacy of CAM for the management of allergic diseases. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment for allergies and other conditions has increased in the United States.

“As the United States has reached the 300 million person mark and with the world population approaching seven billion, only 10 percent and at most to 30 percent of our health care is actually delivered by what we consider conventional or biomedical-oriented practitioners,” said Leonard Bielory, MD, Director of the Asthma & Allergy Research Center at UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School in Newark.

“The remaining 70 to 90 percent ranges from self-care according to folk principles to care given in an organized health care system based on an alternative tradition or practice,” said Bielory.

CAM modalities include: Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbals, massage therapy, vitamins/supplements, homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic medicine, Ayurveda, energy therapies (qi gong), and mind-body practices (dance, meditation, prayer).

CAM for the treatment of allergic diseases is a topic of importance to the subspecialty of allergy and immunology because one of the most common reasons that patients turn to CAM is for treating allergic diseases.

“There has been a recent surge of interest in TCM in Western countries, as it has shown favorable safety profiles,” said Xiu-Min Li, MD, Director of the Center of Excellence for Chinese Herbal Therapy for Allergy and Asthma funded by NIH. For information on acupuncture treatment for allergies contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

Chinese herbal medicine uses more than 600 different herbs prescribed in different combinations to treat specific diseases. There are hundreds of classic formulas, composed primarily of herbs of plant origin. Chinese herbal formulas take into consideration the therapeutic effect of each herb as well as the combined effect of the herbs when processed together.

After administering acupuncture treatments, a TCM practitioner often prescribes an herbal formula that enhances the energetic rebalancing efforts of acupuncture. The formula herbal combination and dosage changes over time to correspond with changes in the patient’s condition. Chinese herbal medicine is used internally and externally. Internal formulas are prepared as powders, teas (decoctions), extracts, and pills. External types are liniments, powders, extracts, pastes, and salves.

A formula typically consists of 4-20 herbs to treat related secondary aspects of the illness as well as the main pathology and to reduce side effects of individual herbs. Herbs have four properties: Temperature, taste, affinity, and primary action. Temperature characteristics are described as cooling or heating. Taste properties include: Sour, bitter, sweet, bland, spicy, and salty. Affinity refers to an herb’s relation to a particular organ system. Primary action is the effect of a specific herb. Combinations of these four properties result in herb formulas tailored to treat different conditions and yin/yang energy imbalances.

Common herbs used in formulas include: Astragalus for colds, Chinese angelica for anemia, Chinese yam for chronic cough and wheezing, eucommia bark for back and knee ache, ginger for circulation, ginseng for immune system, and licorice for allergies. Chinese herbal medicine is effective in treating digestive disorders, fatigue, influenza, chronic headaches, skin disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis, among other conditions. Chinese herbs are also effective in health maintenance and disease prevention. For more information on Chinese herbal medicine contact Dr. Richard Browne at 305-595-9500. To learn more about Chinese herbal medicine within TCM education ask for Joe Calareso.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”