Diet as Medicine

This is a long video so make yourself a cup of tea but what follows is an interesting lecture on the benefits of proper diet. An often overlooked subject.

Acupuncture outperforms migraine drug

Acupuncture has been shown to outperform the drug valproic acid in reducing the pain intensity of migraine headaches, without any of the adverse effects associated with drug therapy. A prospective, controlled study involving 100 migraine patients was carried out by Italian clinicians. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Group A (acupuncture) received 20 acupuncture sessions, while Group V (valproate) received 600 mg/day of valproic acid, over a period of six months. Rescue analgesia (10 mg rizatriptan) was allowed as needed to treat migraine attacks. Both groups showed improvement in scores on the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire after three and six months of treatment. Pain intensity was shown to be better in Group V at three months, but after six months of treatment, pain intensity, pain relief scores and rizatriptan intake were all significantly better in Group A. The rate of adverse events was 47.8% in Group V, compared with 0% in Group A. (Acupuncture Versus Valproic Acid In The Prophylaxis Of Migraine Without Aura: A Prospective Controlled Study. Minerva Anestesiol. 2013 Mar 19. [Epub ahead of print]).

Acupuncture top therapy for relief of arthritis

Acupuncture is the most effective complementary therapy for treating osteoarthritis, and also scores highly for other chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions, according to a report by the charity Arthritis Research UK. The report summarises current evidence for practitioner-based complementary therapies that are commonly used to treat rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and low back pain. The report found a lack of scientific evidence to support the use of most of the twenty-five therapies considered. Each therapy was scored according to its effectiveness on a scale of one to five, based on published data from clinical trials. Effectiveness was measured in terms of improvements in pain, disability or quality of life. In addition the safety of each therapy was graded as green, amber or red. The therapies that were shown to be the most effective were: acupuncture for osteoarthritis (scored 5), low back pain (4) and fibromyalgia (4); massage for fibromyalgia (5) and low back pain (5); tai chi for osteoarthritis (4); and yoga for back pain (4). (http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/news/press-releases/2013/january/new-report-on-complementary-therapies-for-arthritis-reveals-lack-of-scientific-evidence.aspx).

Exercise for Hip and Knee Replacement

One of the most important areas to consider for hip and knee surgery pre and post operation is the importance of exercise. Prehab is just as important as rehab post operation as the stronger and fitter you are prior to operation the better outcome your operation will be. Watch the video above to find out why.

Acupuncture for Cancer related fatigue

Toyah Willcox on coping with insomnia using acupuncture

New Years Resolutions in 2013

Many people make New Years resolutions but do they actually stick to them. Watch this interesting video to find out....