Alternative Medicine - Does it work?

Alternative medicine is a term that describes medical treatments that are used instead of traditional (mainstream) therapies. Some people also refer to it as “integrative,” or “complementary” medicine.

The following is extracted from an article written by CNN’s Elizabeth Cohen, a correspondent with CNN Medical News.

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Dr. Andrew Weil wasn't sure exactly how he hurt his knee; all he knew was that it was painful. But instead of turning to cortisone shots or heavy doses of pain medication, Weil turned to the ancient Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture. "It worked -- my knee felt much better," says Weil.

Americans spend billions of dollars each year on alternative medicine, everything from chiropractic care to hypnosis. Weil says alternative medicine can work wonders -- acupuncture, certain herbs, guided imagery. For example, Dr. Brian Berman, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine, has done a series of studies showing acupuncture's benefits for osteoarthritis of the knee. Extensive studies have also been done on mind-body approaches such as guided imagery, and on some herbs, including St. John's wort.

But on the other hand, there also is a lot of quackery out there, Weil says. "I've seen it all, [including] products that claim to increase sexual vigour, cure cancer and allay financial anxiety."

So how do you know what works and what doesn't when it comes to alternative medicine? Years ago, there weren't many well-done, independent studies on herbs, acupuncture, massage or hypnosis, so patients didn't have any facts to guide them. But since 1999, eight academic medical centres, including Harvard, Duke and Stanford, banded together with the purpose of encouraging research and education on alternative medicine. Eight years later, the Consortium of Academic Health Centres for Integrative Medicine has 38 member universities and has gathered evidence about what practices have solid science behind them.

Here, from experts at five of those universities, are three (3) alternative medicine practices that are among the most promising because they have solid science behind them.

1. Acupuncture for pain

Hands, down, this was the No. 1 recommendation from our panel of experts. They also recommended acupuncture for other problems, including nausea after surgery and chemotherapy.

2. Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 for PMS

When pre-menstrual syndrome rears its ugly head, gynaecologist, Dr. Tracy Gaudet encourages her patients to take these dietary supplements. "They can have a huge impact on moodiness, bloating, and on heavy periods," says Gaudet, who's the executive director of Duke Integrative Medicine at Duke University Medical School. 

3. Tumeric for joint pain

Physician: Dr. Minerva Santos, director of integrative medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York, recommends turmeric for joint pain.

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This orange and yellow spice, famous for its extensive use in South Asian cuisine, also has anti-inflammatory properties. Dr. Santos recommends it frequently to patients complaining of sore and achy joints and uses it herself to relieve pain in her joints from sports and exercise.

“I use a lot of turmeric in my practice,” she said. “It’s an amazing spice. Usually what I do is I make sure nothing else is going on, that it’s just plain old inflammation from wear and tear.”

While many people may encounter turmeric only in curry dishes and South Asian restaurants, Dr Santos advises her patients to find it in health food stores in pill or capsule form. She recommends a dose of at least 1,000 milligrams a day. The benefit of buying it in a bottle, she said, is that it’s usually combined with a compound called Bioperine, which aids absorption.

“In India, whenever they use turmeric they usually have pepper in the meal,” said Dr. Santos. “Bioperine is a pepper extract. It helps the turmeric get absorbed so that it goes into your bloodstream versus staying in your gut.” Dr. Santos said she recently suggested to her father that he try turmeric after an operation on his hip. He was undergoing rehab and was experiencing pain and stomach issues, another area in which the use of turmeric has been studied. “He was sceptical,” she said. “But he called me up a few days later and said he was pain-free.”

A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2009 compared the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, with ibuprofen for pain relief in 107 people with knee osteoarthritis. The curcumin eased pain and improved function about as well as the ibuprofen. Another study, by researchers at Baylor University Medical Center in 2008, reported that taking curcumin daily in moderate doses for up to three months was safe.

TAKE NOTE.

Because the active compound in turmeric can sometimes slow blood clotting, avoid taking it at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery and do not mix with blood thinners like warfarin and Plavix. It may also worsen gallbladder problems, so avoid it if you have gallstones. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before trying it.

DO NOT RUSH OUT AND BUY THE FIRST PRODUCT YOU SEE!

The problem that we face when looking to purchase alternative medications is that there are literally thousands of products on the market that are useless. Many do not contain what they claim on the label and are only seeking to access what is a multi-billion dollar market worldwide. It is therefore prudent that you be guided by a healthcare professional. 

Over the next few weeks, we will be recommending some alternative products on this blog. Rest assured that they would all have been researched and approved. A stamp of approval from the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), or NSF International, two groups with independent verification programs, means what's on the label is in the product.

Thank you for your attention. 

Kayla Phillips, R.Ph

Registered Pharmacist


PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE TAKING ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE IS FOR GENERAL CONSUMER UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATION, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED OR USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO ANY PRESCRIPTION DRUG. IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES. THE PRODUCTS CITED IN THIS BLOG IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. *TESTIMONIAL RESULTS NOT GUARANTEED.