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Hollinghurst S, Sharp D, Ballard K, et al. Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain: economic evaluation. BMJ. 2008 Dec 11;337. PMID: 19074232

Researchers at the University of Bristol led this economic evaluation of therapeutic massage, exercise, and lessons in the Alexander technique for treating persistent back pain. They found that six lessons in the Alexander technique combined with an exercise prescription was the most cost-effective option for patients in Britain’s National Health Service. From the discussion:

"Our associated clinical paper showed that an exercise prescription alone had only a moderate effect on disability scores and that massage was unlikely to provide a sustained improvement, whereas lessons in the Alexander technique were effective in the longer term over a range of outcomes. Considering the level of uncertainty around the effectiveness of normal care plus exercise, and taking account of all evidence, we conclude that a series of six lessons in Alexander technique combined with an exercise prescription seems the most effective and cost effective option for the treatment of back pain in primary care."

CAMWatch: Posts about free-access, peer-reviewed articles on aspects of complementary medicine theory, practice and policy (about the blogger). This blog is not a source for medical advice.

technorati tags: complementary and alternative medicine integrative medicine back pain

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Alves RR. Fauna used in popular medicine in Northeast Brazil. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2009 Jan 7;5(1):1. PMID: 19128461

A biologist at Universidade Estadual da Paraíba has undertaken an encyclopedic review of 250 animal species used in Brazilian traditional medicine.

From the conclusion:

"In a country like Brazil, where the majority of the population has no access modern allopathic medicines, local medicinal animals and plant knowledge systems is of significance. The population uses traditional medicine due to the relatively low cost of traditional medicine and difficult access to modern health facilities. Nevertheless, the interest in and intrinsic value of zootherapy not be only be attributed to the lack of access to modern medicinal services. Even in cities where modern health services are more accessible and specialized; many people continue to go to traditional healers showing the cultural acceptability of such practices. Besides the biological aspects, the economical and sociocultural factors influence the relationship of the local gathered people and the zootherapic resources usage. The need of new studies is evidenced which approach the medicinal fauna of Brazil, seeking for a better understanding of this therapy form, not only in its ecological aspects, but also cultural and pharmacological."

An appendix details the animal taxa recorded as having medicinal properties.

CAMWatch: Posts about free-access, peer-reviewed articles on aspects of complementary medicine theory, practice and policy (about the blogger). This blog is not a source for medical advice.

technorati tags: complementary and alternative medicine integrative medicine zootherapy

Comments and Links Appreciated!