Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Old Medicine, New Synergies

(Submited by: Howard Tiano )

The terms alternative medicine and complementary medicine are often wrongly used as synonyms. Actually, the term alternative medicine refers to medicine systems like Ayurveda or Acupuncture that are used in place of conventional medicine, while ... Read article

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Pt 2

(Submited by: Jem Bacchus )

In Part 1 we discussed the fact that alternative medicine (so called) was being used in ancient times long before conventional medicine came on the scene. It is interesting to note that there were not so many diseases plaguing mortals in ... Read article

The True Meaning of Alternative Medicine

(Submited by: Jay Moncliff )

Alternative medicine is a type of therapeutic practice that is not considered to be a part of traditional or conventional medical treatment. People use alternative medicine instead of using traditional medical treatment. This is often because ... Read article

Alternative Medicine

(Submited by: C. Bailey-Lloyd )

Alternative Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines to restore and maintain health. Dating back to 420 B.C., around the time of Hippocrates, alternative medicine is also considered a practice beyond the realm of conventional modern ... Read article

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Part 1

(Submited by: Jem Bacchus )

The term 'alternative medicine' that is so commonly used today is somewhat unsuitable since that would seem to indicate that it is a form of treatment departing from so-called 'traditional' scientific practices and is just a possibility for a ... Read article

Natural Alternatives vs. Prescription Drugs

(Submited by: Chris Read )

Natural Alternatives: A growing phenomenon across this world which is a very diverse concept yet very divine and instrumental in healing health diseases. It might be thought as any health care which is not a part of the mainstream medical ... Read article

Is Alternative Medicine Proven to Work?

(Submited by: Daryl Kulak )

The most common objection to alternative medicine from conventional physicians is that it is not proven.What doctors mean by this is that alternative medicine has not been rigorously tested the way pharmaceutical drugs have been.A ... Read article

Benefits of Alternative Medicine

(Submited by: Ruby Boyd )

With the growing number of people being affected by newly discovered chronic degenerative diseases such as AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome, Are you worried or wondering....Is it possible to maintain good health?What your body ... Read article

Complementary Medicine

(Submited by: C. Bailey-Lloyd )

Complementary Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines to restore and maintain health in addition to conventional medicine. Dating back to 420 B.C., around the time of Hippocrates, complementary medicine is also considered a practice ... Read article

Alternative Medicine is Holistic, Western Medicine is Reductionist

(Submited by: Daryl Kulak )

The major difference between alternative medicine, or what I'll call holistic health, and Western medicine, is in approach.A Western doctor, or MD, sees his duty as searching out disease, diagnosing it, and treating it. If he ... Read article

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Meditation May Boost Pain Tolerance
11 Mar 2010 at 6:00am

Practicing Zen meditation may help thicken certain brain regions and lessen your sensitivity to pain, according to a new study.

For the study, researchers recruited 17 meditators and 18 non-meditators. To measure the participants' pain sensitivity, the researchers applied a heated plate to each individual's calf. In analyzing brain scans of the study members, they found that brain regions involved in regulating pain and emotion were significantly thicker in those who practiced meditation.

In past research, scientists have found that meditation could help improve pain management for people with coping with chronic pain. In particular, meditation has been found to lessen pain and reduce stress in people dealing with conditions like low back pain and fibromyalgia.

A number of other mind-body techniques (including tai chi, guided imagery, and yoga) may also benefit people struggling with chronic pain conditions.

Meditation May Boost Pain Tolerance originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 06:00:26.
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Green Tea for Glaucoma?
9 Mar 2010 at 6:00am

Preliminary research suggests that green tea could help shield your eyes from the harmful effects of glaucoma. In a study on rats, researchers determined that green tea consumption helped defend the animals' eyes from free-radical-induced damage.

A leading cause of blindness in the U.S., glaucoma develops when fluid pressure builds up in the eyes and impairs the optic nerve. Past research shows that oxidative stress (a process that occurs when free radicals overwhelm the body's ability to neutralize them) may contribute to the onset of glaucoma. Known to knock out free radials, antioxidants are abundant in green tea.

In their new study, scientists demonstrated that drinking green tea can help deliver antioxidants to eye tissues and possibly protect against oxidative stress. However, it's too soon to tell whether green tea consumption could have the same effect on human eye health.

In previously published studies, investigators have found that the herb ginkgo biloba may also benefit people with glaucoma.

Green Tea for Glaucoma? originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 06:00:00.
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Bilberry May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
8 Mar 2010 at 6:00am

Bilberry extract may help keep blood sugar in check, according to a recently published study. In tests on mice, scientists discovered that the antioxidant-rich extract helped lower the animals' blood sugar levels and increase their insulin sensitivity.

The study involved mice predisposed to develop diabetes. Among those fed a bilberry-enriched diet for five weeks, researchers observed significantly greater activation of an enzyme known to regulate insulin secretion. Called AMP-activated protein kinase (or AMPK), this enzyme has also been found to promote the breakdown of fat. In the study, AMPK appeared to help control the mice's abnormally high blood sugar levels.

A fruit closely related to blueberries, bilberry is often used in natural treatment of eye conditions (such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts). The antioxidants in bilberry are also thought to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, as well as curb inflammation.

Bilberry May Lower Blood Sugar Levels originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 06:00:33.
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Cranberry Juice for a Healthy Heart?
3 Mar 2010 at 6:00am

New research suggests that cranberry juice may boost heart health.

In test-tube experiments, scientists compared the cardioprotective effects of cranberry juice to those of apple, cocoa, red wine, and green tea. Their findings revealed that cranberry juice contains compounds known to prevent the constriction of blood vessels and, in turn, protect against high blood pressure.

While it's too soon to tell whether cranberry juice can promote cardiovascular health in humans, previous studies have shown that the antioxidant-rich drink may help prevent urinary tract infections and reduce risk of gum disease.

A number of other natural substances are known to shield heart health. Flaxseed may help keep cholesterol in check, for instance, while vitamin D could help curb inflammation (a key risk factor for heart disease).

Cranberry Juice for a Healthy Heart? originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 06:00:40.
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Massage Therapy May Benefit Children with Autism
2 Mar 2010 at 6:00am

Thai massage may be helpful for children with autism, according to a recently published report. The study involved 60 children between the ages three and 10, all of whom were autistic.

For the study, all children received either Thai massage or sensory integration therapy for eight weeks. (An approach sometimes used in treatment of autism, sensory integration therapy aims to help regulate the patient's sensory responses. Many people with autism experience dysfunction in their sensory processing.) By the study's end, both treatment groups showed improvements in conduct problems and anxiety. In past studies, researchers have found that massage may also improve sleep, classroom concentration, and social interactions in people with autism.

In Thai massage, the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move the client into yoga-like stretches. Typically regarded as a more rigorous and energizing than other types of massage, Thai massage is often used to reduce stress, boost circulation, and improve flexibility.

Massage Therapy May Benefit Children with Autism originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 06:00:15.
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Soy May Not Stop Bone Loss
25 Feb 2010 at 6:00am

Taking supplements of soy isoflavones may not help shield postmenopausal women from bone loss, according to a recent study. Soy isoflavones are estrogen-like compounds thought to offer a number of health benefits, such as the treatment of hot flashes.

For the study, researchers had 224 postmenopausal women take either soy isoflavone supplements (at a dose of 80 mg or 120 mg) or a placebo capsule each day for three years. Results showed that the supplements had no significant effect on lumbar spine, total hip, or whole-body bone mineral density. Participants taking the higher dose of soy isoflavones, however, did experience a small protective effect on their femoral neck bone mineral density.

Decreased bone mineral density is the hallmark of osteoporosis, a condition most common among postmenopausal women. Known to progress slowly and silently, osteoporosis can lead to serious complications like spine and hip fractures. Past studies show that exercising regularly and boosting your levels of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K may help prevent osteoporosis.

Soy May Not Stop Bone Loss originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 06:00:28.
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