Complementary therapies in medicine
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Complement Ther Med · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyNaturopathic and Western herbal medicine practice in Australia-a workforce survey.
Despite substantial growth in the use of complementary medicine, no comprehensive national study has been undertaken of the naturopathic and Western herbal medicine component of the healthcare workforce in Australia. This study aimed to examine the nature of these practices and this currently unregulated workforce in Australia. ⋯ These data confirm the considerable degree of utilisation of naturopathic and Western herbal medicine practitioners by the Australian public. However, there is a need to examine whether statutory regulation of practitioners of naturopathy and Western herbal medicine is required to better protect the public.
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Complement Ther Med · Mar 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAcupuncture for low back pain: traditional diagnosis and treatment of 148 patients in a clinical trial.
To assess patterns of diagnosis, including concordance, and treatment within a clinical trial of traditional acupuncture for low back pain. ⋯ Diagnostic concordance among practitioners was reasonable, and clear themes emerged for treatment. Further research is required to develop a flexible trial protocol with scope for individualised treatment.
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Complement Ther Med · Mar 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effectiveness of relaxation acupoint stimulation and acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for non-specific low back pain in Hong Kong: a randomised controlled trial.
To assess the effect of acupoint stimulation with electrodes combined with acupressure using an aromatic essential oil (lavender) as an add-on-treatment on pain relief and enhancing the physical functional activities among adults with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain. ⋯ Our results show that 8-sessions of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were an effective method for short-term LBP relief. No adverse effects were reported. To complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP, the combined therapy of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil may be one of the choices as an add-on therapy for short-term reduction of LBP.
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Complement Ther Med · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyProviding Complementary and Alternative Medicine in primary care: the primary care workers' perspective.
The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in primary care is growing, but still not widespread. Little is known about how CAM can/should be integrated into mainstream care. ⋯ There is considerable interest in CAM among primary care professionals, and many are already referring or suggesting referral. Such referrals are driven mainly by patient demand and by dissatisfaction with the results of conventional medicine. Most of our respondents were in favour of integrating at least some types of CAM in mainstream primary care. There is an urgent need to further educate/inform primary care health professionals about CAM.
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Complement Ther Med · Dec 2003
Review Comparative StudySham interventions in randomized clinical trials of acupuncture--a review.
For non-drug interventions such as acupuncture, it is difficult to establish placebo or sham controls that are both inert and indistinguishable. We reviewed sham-controlled clinical trials of acupuncture to investigate (a) which types of sham interventions have been used in the past; (b) in what respects true and sham interventions differed; and (c) whether trials using different types of sham yielded different results. ⋯ Randomized trials investigating the specific effects of acupuncture have used a great variety of sham interventions as controls. Summarizing all the different sham interventions as "placebo" controls seems misleading and scientifically unacceptable.