Patient Case Study: A Rare Neurological Disease Diagnostic Journey

Alternative Medicine News

Aug. 28, 2023 — Scientists have verified the anticancer effects of Kencur, a tropical plant of the ginger family, mainly grown in Southeast Asia, in cell and animal experiments. They found that Kencur extract and ...

May 11, 2023 — Much of what is now considered modern medicine originated as folk remedies or traditional, Indigenous practices. These customs are still alive today, and they could help address a variety of ...

Mar. 10, 2023 — One in 10 adults suffer from the debilitating effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Research around a new breathing device developed by pulmonologists offers promise for improving ...

Feb. 22, 2023 — Researchers completed what is believed to be the first phase I trial of intravenous Helixor M in the U.S. Aimed at determining dosing for subsequent clinical trials and to evaluate ...

Jan. 19, 2023 — The evolutionary secrets that enable the medicinal herb known as barbed skullcap to produce cancer fighting compounds have been ...

Dec. 21, 2022 — Drinking two or more cups of coffee a day was associated with twice the risk of death from cardiovascular disease among people with severe hypertension compared to non-coffee drinkers, in a study of ...

Dec. 8, 2022 — A three-month pilot study of patients with hypertension demonstrates that adding yoga to a regular exercise training regimen supports cardiovascular health and wellbeing and is more effective than ...

Dec. 8, 2022 — A new American Heart Association scientific statement outlines research on complementary and alternative therapies for heart ...

Dec. 1, 2022 — A new analysis showed that early signs of liver damage from high-dose green tea extract were somewhat predicted by one variation in a genotype and strongly predicted by another ...

Nov. 28, 2022 — Increasing intake of protein and drinking regular cups of tea or coffee is a way women could reduce their risk of suffering a hip fracture, according to new research. Food scientists have found that ...

Nov. 22, 2022 — A daily cup of tea could help you to enjoy better health late in life -- however if you're not a tea drinker, there are other things you can add to your diet. The key is flavonoids, which are ...

Nov. 18, 2022 — Genetic background has an effect on the metabolism of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, a recent study ...

Nov. 16, 2022 — A research team has verified that gossypetin activates immune cells in the brain that clear A beta, which triggers Alzheimer's ...

Nov. 11, 2022 — Popular alternative Japanese medicine, Kampo, can trace its origins back to China. Researchers suggest, Jianzhen or Ganjin, the famous 8th century Chinese monk responsible for introducing the ...

Nov. 10, 2022 — Front-line physicians who cared for COVID-19 patients during the first wave of the pandemic in New York City and New Orleans reported multiple factors that contributed to their occupational stress ...

Sep. 29, 2022 — Can regularly attending religious services actually extend your life? A new study suggests that men of color are discovering life affirming -- and life extending -- rewards of belonging to a ...

Aug. 22, 2022 — Researchers report on the effects of a common herbal remedy on inflammatory bowel disease. A new study shows that DKT -- an herbal medicine containing ginger, pepper, ginseng, and maltose -- reduced ...

Aug. 11, 2022 — A team has found that electrical stimulation of the body combined with sound activates the brain's somatosensory cortex, increasing the potential for using the technique to treat chronic pain ...

July 28, 2022 — People with sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy sleep behaviors could develop fatty liver disease, according to new ...

July 26, 2022 — New research in people with a cluster of heart disease risk factors has shown that consuming green tea extract for four weeks can reduce blood sugar levels and improve gut health by lowering ...

Sports Medicine

Whether you're an expert athlete or an occasional gym-goer, staying in top shape is about more than being strong. You need to stay well. Staying well includes eating healthy foods, exercising your muscles, and building bone density.

We offer nutrition classes, personal training sessions, and rest and relaxation activities so you can develop a healthy, balanced relationship with staying active.

Integrative Medicine

Mind-Body Medicine Alongside Mainstream Care

A multi-disciplinary integrative healthcare team often includes physicians, nutritionists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, yoga instructors, and meditation instructors, among others. Integrative health practitioners partner with the patient to provide individualized treatment and prevention of disease and disorders; the patient is part of the decision-making process. Whenever feasible, less invasive, more natural interventions are used for healing and health promotion. Many alternative treatments have been researched and can be effective.

How does nutrition factor into integrative medicine?

The food you eat affects your health and the development of illness and disease including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and many other conditions. If your diet contains too much fat and cholesterol, you may end up with atherosclerosis; too much sugar can lead to diabetes; add fish to your meal plan and your risk of heart disease decreases. And people who eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains normally live longer and healthier lives. Nutrition is a foundation of integrative care.

Are supplements and herbs part of complementary care?

While it is best to eat your nutrients in the form of food, supplements are indeed part of complementary care. Here is a short list of helpful supplements.

• Omega-3 fatty acids, high in cold-water fish, help prevent heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. It also reduces inflammation, which is important for immune response.

• Folate, high in leafy greens and other vegetables and fruits, also reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Flavonoids, high in blueberries and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, may help fight cancer.

• Calcium and Vitamin D, high in eggs and fish and dairy, regulates the calcium in your body, which is good for bones and muscles.

• Lutein, high in leafy greens like kale and spinach, may also reduce the risk of cancer as well as cataracts.

Are mindfulness and meditation useful in integrative care?

Some people regard mindfulness and meditation as mind-cleansing practices, and that mindfulness and meditation are important for overall well-being. These practices reduce stress, anxiety, inflammation, and pain; plus, they can boost mood and immunity. These practices also increase compassion, emotion-regulation, focus, productivity, and even perspective. People might think they have to sit lotus style and chant, but it's more about being present with oneself and just breathing.

What mind-body practices can I use with integrative care?

While any physical activity is good for your well-being, yoga, qigong, tai chi, or similar practices use the body and movement with mindful intent. When practicing these or other methods, the individual empties the chatter inside the head and focuses on the way the body moves and breathes. These practices help reduce stress, anxiety, and pain; they also boost mood and overall health.

Why is physical therapy important in integrative care?

Physical therapy is often used in recovery after an injury. Muscles, for example, need to be strengthened after a broken bone has healed. Patients see physical therapists after surgery, stroke, paralysis, among other reasons, and it can help recover range of motion, overall strength, and balance. Physical therapy is also used in pain management and age-related changes and problems.

Is acupuncture effective?

This is a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners insert thin sterile needles into specific points through the skin and into the body. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health of the National Institute of Health, research shows that the practice can help patients manage pain in the back, neck, and knee. There is also evidence of effectiveness for migraines and general headache pain. And in one review of research, acupuncture may also help with certain symptoms in cancer patients.

Is chiropractic care effective?

There is research on the effectiveness of chiropractic care, also known as spinal manipulation. One review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, for example, found that spinal manipulation helped reduce chronic lower back pain; such manipulation has also been found to increase overall movement and function. More and more chiropractors are found in mainstream health delivery systems.

Is massage therapy used in integrative care?

Is animal-assisted therapy effective?

This type of therapy can be effective for animal lovers; treatment can include cats, dogs, horses, birds, or any number of animals. Research suggested positive results of this therapy for those with autism, medical conditions, depression, anxiety, addiction, and other problems. Trained therapy pets are also popular in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, and other facilities. Animal-assisted therapy is used alongside the treatment with a psychotherapist, social worker, counselor, or other providers.

Are creative therapies like music, dance, and art effective?

These creative therapies have been used in the treatment of many conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, dementia, and brain damage due to stroke or traumatic brain injury, mood disorders, eating disorders, and many others. Research on the use of music in Alzheimer's patients has proven effective, with patients able to make cognitive connections that appear to be totally lost. Talent is not required. These creative outlets are used to put patients in touch with their bodies, emotions, and memories.

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