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Building the Evidence Base for Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Building the Evidence Base for Complementary & Alternative Medicine

As an acupuncturist, everyday I hear the same questions over and over again; and guess what? I’d like to be able to answer them.

The truth is, to date, we don’t have a definitive answer to explain how acupuncture works in terms of modern science, but we’re working on it!  Below is an article written by Josephine P. Briggs, M.D. from the National Centre for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine.

“As I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many of our stakeholders over the past 6 months, I have learned a lot. I’ve gained a greater appreciation of the complexities of studying CAM, the challenges to conducting rigorous research, and the need for setting clear priorities for the years ahead.

I’m proud of the work the Center has done in its first 10 years. Establishing a viable research enterprise in this field is a daunting task. We have attracted outstanding investigators from the leading academic institutions, established collaborative partnerships with CAM practitioners, and created training programs to expand the capacity for research in the years ahead. These are all fundamental steps to ensuring that the science of discovery on CAM will grow and mature.

These are important steps. But the public is often impatient, and we frequently hear “But what are the answers? What works, and what doesn’t?” News stories on CAM are numerous, but individual stories and even single research reports do not constitute an evidence base. Evidence-based medicine relies instead on careful, systematic reviews of the entire body of scientific literature using methods of information technology and statistics. One index of progress for NCCAM is an assessment of where we stand in the development of the evidence-base for CAM.

Acupuncture provides a telling example. American interest in acupuncture was piqued in the early 1970s with President Nixon’s visit to China. The press corps included New York Times correspondent James Reston, who, following emergency appendectomy surgery in Beijing, reported that acupuncture treatment had relieved his post-surgical pain and discomfort—a report that made headlines far beyond the New York Times. But Reston’s experience was met with skepticism and did not lead to changes in patterns of post-op pain management.

But things are changing. NCCAM has been steadily building a portfolio of basic and clinical research to understand acupuncture’s mechanisms of action. Basic studies have probed local effects of traditional acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and also laser acupuncture, as well as exploited brain imaging techniques to show, for example, that acupuncture affects structures of the limbic system involved in the affective/suffering components of pain. Neurochemical studies are revealing the effects of acupuncture on neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline and endogenous opioid peptides that are associated with descending endogenous pain-modulating systems. Other neurochemical studies are exploring whether acupuncture increases nonenzymatic nitric oxide generation and the role that may play in acupuncture effects, such as inducing noradrenaline release.

Clinical research is also keeping pace. A systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture for postoperative pain, published in the August 2008 issue of the British Journal of Anaesthesia, demonstrated that acupuncture had clear value, that it decreased pain intensity and lowered opioid side effects. Recently, the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians published new clinical treatment guidelines for persistent back pain that now include acupuncture as a treatment option.

The promise that Mr. Reston saw in this traditional practice is becoming a part of the portfolio of tools that providers can use to care for patients. Our job at NCCAM is to apply rigorous science in the pursuit of such areas of promise, and steadily build an evidence base.”

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Autumn & Acupuncture | acupuncture victoria bc

Autumn & Acupuncture | acupuncture victoria bcIn Autumn, we observe nature withdrawing inward.  We see leaves wither on the branch as the trees gather energy inward and down to the deep center and roots to protect and guard vitality, like a precious secret, throughout the winter months.

As winter draws near, we notice a similar process in our own bodies. Our skin become pale and dry. Our energy draws inward to protect vital organs from the dampness and cold. We develop the urge to be quiet, sleep and stay indoors more than in the warmer months.

Our modern, urban lifestyle often prevents most of us from the luxury of indulging our natural instincts to hibernate when winter arrives. Exposing ourselves to the elements and over-spending energy during cold months can compromise the immune system, leaving us vulnerable to viruses that cause influenza and the common cold.

For those of us who are unable to spend the winter in Mexico, here are some tips on how to protect your immune system:

Never leave the house with wet hair

Dampness allows cold to penetrate more deeply. It’s especially important to prevent the neck and head from becoming exposed to harsh elements. This is usually the first area to be effected by colds and flu. Most infectious illness in winter begin with a stiff neck and headache.

Avoid eating too many cold foods

In winter, our bodies are using energy to warm our internal organs. Help your body in this regard by eating healthy cooked cereals, soups and stews. Fresh fruit and vegetables are important too, but are to be consumed in much smaller quantity than in summer months. Root vegetables, brown rice and carefully chosen protein sources can be a staple.

Try not to eat too much spicy foods

Even though spicy food is great for warming our bodies, it’s too ‘hot’ in nature to be useful in winter. Spicy foods are used in hot climates to promote sweating in order to cool the body and are delicious, however, spicy foods are an inappropriate choice for use during cold weather.

Wear a scarf and cover your legs

Even those of us who don’t feel the need to cover our necks and legs in winter need to avoid exposing bare skin. A light scarf, thin gloves and tights can be enough to guard against the elements.

Try acupuncture to boost your immune system

There is scientific and clinical evidence to support claims that acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraines and headaches.; as well as getting rid of lingering symptoms of colds and flus that are prevalent this time of year.  Acupuncture works by regulating circulation to the internal organs which in turn allows the immune system to work as nature intended to heal the body.

Written by: Victoria Spaurel, R.Ac., Registered Acupuncturist

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Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study

acupuncture victoria bcA new study of acupuncture — the most rigorous and detailed analysis of the treatment to date — found that it can ease migraines and arthritis and other forms of chronic pain.

The findings provide strong scientific support for an age-old therapy used by an estimated three million Americans each year. Though acupuncture has been studied for decades, the body of medical research on it has been mixed and mired to some extent by small and poor-quality studies. Financed by the National Institutes of Health and carried out over about half a decade, the new research was a detailed analysis of earlier research that involved data on nearly 18,000 patients.

The researchers, who published their results in Archives of Internal Medicine, found that acupuncture outperformed sham treatments and standard care when used by people suffering from osteoarthritis, migraines and chronic back, neck and shoulder pain.

“This has been a controversial subject for a long time,” said Dr. Andrew J. Vickers, attending research methodologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the lead author of the study. “But when you try to answer the question the right way, as we did, you get very clear answers.

“We think there’s firm evidence supporting acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain.”

Acupuncture, which involves inserting needles at various places on the body to stimulate so-called acupoints, is among the most widely practiced forms of alternative medicine in the country and is offered by many hospitals. Most commonly the treatment is sought by adults looking for relief from chronic pain, though it is also used with growing frequency in children. According to government estimates, about 150,000 children in the United States underwent acupuncture in 2007.

But for all its popularity, questions about its efficacy have long been commonplace. Are those who swear by it experiencing true relief or the psychological balm of the placebo effect?

Dr. Vickers and a team of scientists from around the world — England, Germany, Sweden and elsewhere — sought an answer by pooling years of data. Rather than averaging the results or conclusions from years of previous studies, a common but less rigorous form of meta-analysis, Dr. Vickers and his colleagues first selected 29 randomized studies of acupuncture that they determined to be of high quality. Then they contacted the authors to obtain their raw data, which they scrutinized and pooled for further analysis. This helped them correct for statistical and methodological problems with the previous studies, allowing them to reach more precise and reliable conclusions about whether acupuncture actually works.

All told, the painstaking process took the team about six years. “Replicating pretty much every single number reported in dozens of papers is no quick or easy task,” Dr. Vickers said.

The meta-analysis included studies that compared acupuncture with usual care, like over-the-counter pain relievers and other standard medicines. It also included studies that used sham acupuncture treatments, in which needles were inserted only superficially, for example, or in which patients in control groups were treated with needles that covertly retracted into handles.

Ultimately, Dr. Vickers and his colleagues found that at the end of treatment, about half of the patients treated with true acupuncture reported improvements, compared with about 30 percent of patients who did not undergo it.

“There were 30 or 40 people from all over the world involved in this research, and as a whole the sense was that this was a clinically important effect size,” Dr. Vickers said. That is especially the case, he added, given that acupuncture “is relatively noninvasive and relatively safe.”

Dr. Vickers said the results of the study suggest that people undergoing the treatment are getting more than just a psychological boost. “They’re not just getting some placebo effect,” he said. “It’s not some sort of strange healing ritual.”

The NewYork Times | Health & Science                                                                                                                                                              By Anahad O’Connor

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Be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic

Before your visit to a doctor or health care practitioner, be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic by making sure that you take all the important information with you including your medical records.

  • Dates and results of checkups and screening tests
  • List of shots you’ve received (and the dates you got them)
  • Medicines you take, how much you take, and why you take them (including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins)
  • Any health conditions you have, including allergies
  • The name and phone number of a friend or relative to call if there’s an emergency
  • A list of other doctors, dentist, practitioners or specialists you are seeing.
Be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic

Be prepared for your checkup

Make a list of any important changes in your life or health. Changes especially stressful ones can have a direct effect to your overall health.  Be sure to include things like:

  • Becoming unemployed
  • A death in the family
  • A serious illness
  • Surgery
  • A medical condition
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Pain or discomfort

The health history of your family is an important part of your personal health record so keep track of conditions that run in your family.

Don’t forget to take a notepad and write down the answers so you remember them later. You may also want to take a friend for support, and don’t be afraid to ask lots of question or have the health practitioner  repeat specific information that you are not sure about.

Staying healthy means taking care of yourself all year long.  Your plan may include getting more active, eating healthy, or watching your weight.  Whatever your health goal, remember to be prepared for your checkup at a walk in clinic and let your health care practitioner be part of your health team.

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Seasonal Allergies and Acupuncture | acupuncture victoria bc

allergiesSeasonal Allergies and Acupuncture | acupuncture victoria bc   –  written by Victoria Spaurel R.Ac.

Acupuncture is an effective option for allergy symptom control. Although it does not, in my experience, stop symptoms from returning the following year, it does reduce the body’s reactivity, leaving you less dependent on medications, and able to enjoy your spring and summer more.

My treatments allow patients who normally live on anti-histamines all season long the ability to go off them if acupuncture is administered regularly during the season when they are affected. Typically treatments begin with the onset of symptoms and are repeated once per week for 3 weeks, then once every two weeks for the remainder of the season.

Once symptoms are under control patients report improved energy and less reactivity to pollens. In part it is because they no longer require energy sapping anti-histamines to function, but also because their immune system is no longer using up so much energy to react.

An additional benefit to acupuncture for hay fever is that it helps prevent all the secondary infections allergy sufferers are prone to – such as colds, conjunctivitis, or chronic sinusitis.

With the allergy season getting started, consider acupuncture. It is a safe, natural and drug-free method of effectively addressing seasonal allergy symptoms.

– Victoria Spaurel is a registered Acupuncturist having graduated from the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria BC in 2005.  At Diversified Health, Victoria has had tremendous success assisting patients to reach their health goals. She uses a narrative approach to patient interviews, which helps build trust and enriches her understanding of the concerns at hand. Treatments are always designed and paced to suit her patients.

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Combine a Massage Session & Acupuncture Session & Save 25%

Lauren Wills our Registered Massage Therapist and Victoria Spaurel our registered Acupuncturist are combining their services, and are offering any one who books both a 60 minute massage and a 60 minute acupuncture session between May 15th and May 19th, 25% off both services.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Victoria has had tremendous success assisting patients to reach their health goals. She uses a narrative approach to patient interviews, which helps build trust and enriches her understanding of the concerns at hand. Treatments are always designed and paced to suit her patients. Victoria enjoys working closely with people of all ages and walks of life to create a realistic treatment plan for each individual.  An Initial visit is $85.00 + HST, a subsequent visit is $75.00 + HST

 

 

massage

Massage

Lauren is a determined young lady, who is more than willing to put the time, effort, and energy into her treatments. She has always believed in and promoted a healthy lifestyle. Lauren believes that everyone should be graced with a balanced mind and body. She believes in living a healthy lifestyle and that balancing your mind, body and soul is important and easily over looked in our fast pace modern lifestyles.  A one hour massage is $90.00 includes HST.

To book your appointments, please call us at 250-382-0018!

 

 

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Headache Free is Possible says a Natural Health Practitioner

Headache Free is Possible says Natural Health Practitioner

Headache Free is Possible

Headaches are common, but they are not normal;and being headache free is possible says a natural health practitioner. By finding the cause of your pain, chiropractic care can give you relief to a discomfort that disrupts your life and often makes everyday tasks unbearable.

Headaches are one of the most common problems/symptoms that affect us. Headaches are also one of the most common symptoms, and there are numerous types of headaches such as tension headaches, migraines, trauma headaches, sinus headaches and rebound headaches.

Other common problems that induce headaches are infections, hangovers, stress, fatigue, physical or emotional trauma, problems in the pelvis and lower back, and a malfunction in the upper spinal bones in the neck, affecting nerves, muscles, and blood supply to the head.

On the surface, headaches seem to come in a variety of forms – throbbing, pounding or stabbing. Chiropractors believe that most headaches are ultimately caused by the overloading of the nervous system.
There are an estimated 4.5 million Canadians spending upwards of $60 million dollars each year on over-the-counter and prescription drugs in search for a permanent solution. For some, the medication works, but for many the relief obtained is temporary.

Powerful drugs numb the nervous system so pain doesn’t register and can cause adverse effects on the stomach, liver, and kidneys. For anyone who is suffering from a recurring headache (two-three times a week), it is important to recognize it as a serious sign that something is wrong. Please remember that the headache itself is not the problem.  However, the headache is only a symptom that something else is wrong. Although a quick relief to the pain, drugs provide only a short-term solution to the problem, while the underlying cause of the headache goes untreated.

Migraines are one of the more painful types of headaches often leaving the sufferer in bed and immobilized. Most migraine sufferers notice symptoms that occur before the headache actually hits, such as visual changes, dizziness, muscle contraction, nausea, etc. The headache itself may last from a few minutes to a few days.

The chiropractic approach to headaches, especially repetitive headaches, is to take a good case history. Through the case history and consultation, we can determine patterns and possible causes. A good example would be a headache that begins several weeks after a car accident. In the majority of cases, we will find the problem is usually caused by one or more subluxations (misalignment of the vertebrae) in the neck.

It is important to know that a headache is a warning sign. The more frequent or more severe the headache, the greater the warning sign. Headaches that happen every day or almost every day are called rebound headaches and are caused by overuse of pain medicines. Often these headaches begin early in the morning. The location and severity of the headache may change from day to day. People who have rebound headaches also may have nausea, anxiety, irritability, depression, or problems sleeping.

Talk to your healthcare practitioner about the medicines you are taking. You can safely stop taking some medicines right away; while other kinds of medicine have to be slowly reduced. After stopping the headache medicine, it is common for your headaches to get worse for a few days. Do not make changes to your drug plan without talking with your doctor.

Make an appointment for an assessment or to discuss any questions you might have regarding headaches; and imagine what your life would be like pain free! Remember that headache free is possible says a natural health practitioner.

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Vancouver Island Health Clinic Endorses Lifestyle Changes to Control High Blood Pressure

If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down; our Vancouver island health clinic endorses lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure.

Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Vancouver Island Health Clinic Endorses Lifestyle Changes to Control High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle Changes to Control High Blood Pressure

Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.

  • Make sure your blood pressure is under 140/90mm Hg. If your systolic pressure (the top number) is over 140, ask you doctor what you can do to lower it.
  • Take your high blood pressure medicine, if prescribed, every day. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.
  • Aim for a healthy weight. If you are overweight, carrying this extra weight increases your risk of high blood pressure.
  • Increase your physical activity. Do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, most days of the week. You can do 30 minutes in three 10 minute segments.
  • Choose foods low in salt and sodium. Most Canadians should consume no more than 2.4 grams of sodium a day. That’s about one teaspoon of table salt a day. For someone with high blood pressure, your doctor may advise less.
  • Read nutrition labels. Almost all packaged foods contain sodium. Every time you prepare or eat a packaged food, know how much sodium is in one serving. Keep a sodium diary. You may be surprised at how much sodium you consume each day.
  • Use spices and herbs instead of salt to season the food you prepare at home.
  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods.
  • Make sure that you incorporate a small amount of “down time” each and every day.

Not only does our Vancouver island health clinic endorse lifestyle changes to control high blood press, but also encourages patient to incorporate massage and acupuncture as part of their new healthy lifestyles.

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Jumpers Knee Treatment

Jumpers knee treatment Jumpers knee treatment is just one of many knee injury treatments offered at Diversified Health. Anyone can be a victim of a knee injury; whether you are a professional athlete, a weekend warrior or  just doing your day-to-day activities. The knee joint is unique in that it carries body weight at the same time as it provides flexibility and mobility and this construction predisposes the joint to risk of injury from sudden movement and repeated wear and tear.

What can cause knee injuries:

• Ligament Sprains – Overstretching  ligaments are bands of strong tissue that stabilize the knee joint together.

• Cartilage Tears – Pressure from twisting and turning during weight-bearing exercise

• Tendon Strains – This is an overuse injury commonly caused by repeated jumping or “jumpers knee”

• Footwear –ill fitting footwear can affect the way you walk and can place stress on the muscles and tendons around the knee joint.

• Frequency/intensity of activity – Any change such as jogging or playing tennis on a different surface can affect the knee joint.

Treatments for knee pain:

A health care practitioner at Diversified Health Clinic will assess your knee to determine the source of the problem and to develop an individual treatment program.  Depending upon the type and degree of injury, the program may include practices such as Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic and Physiotherapy.

Treatments can include manual adjustments, and modalities such as cold laser, shockwave therapy, ultrasound, graston technique or neuro-mechanical adjusting tool.

Returning to activity:

At Diversified Health Clinic we can provide a program to help prevent re-injury as you return to normal activities, including stretching exercises to regain flexibility around the joint and strength training to build up the muscle in the Rehab Gym.

Another element of the rehabilitation program is to retrain balance and coordination. A knee injury involves more than just stress and strain to the soft tissue. It also affects the tiny receptors in the muscles, ligaments and tendons that ‘tell’ you where your knee is positioned. These receptors send signals to correct balance and shift weight.

Whether you require a jumpers knee treatment or a sprain/strain treatment, Diversified Health Clinic will provide you with numerous options that will include exercise programs that will help you strengthen your muscles and get you back participating in the activities you love.

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