Alternative therapy for backache 'can kill or disable'

One of the most common 'alternative' treatments for backache is dangerous and can kill, says Britain's leading expert on complementary medicine, Professor Edzard Ernst.

Spinal manipulation, used by chiropractors to treat hundreds of thousands of patients a year, poses serious risks, he warns in a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

'[It] is associated with frequent, mild and transient adverse effects as well as with serious complications which can lead to permanent disability or death.'

Spinal manipulation involves sharp thrusts against a patient's spine to push individual vertebrae beyond normal levels of stress. But Ernst says that such violent therapy can seriously damage the arteries running near the spine, triggering thrombosis or a stroke.

The claim has incensed chiropractors. In letters to be published in the journal's October issue, they accuse Ernst of distortion, errors and misinterpreting data.

'The major body of published evidence points to manipulation being a safe and effective tool,' says Barry Lewis, president of the British Chiropractic Association. He accuses Ernst of 'puffing up his evidence out of all proportion'.

One case involves Frances Denoon, who was in her 20s when she pulled a nerve in her neck while exercising. She visited a registered chiropractor and recalled feeling a 'crack' when he began his treatment. 'I couldn't focus and realised I wasn't saying words clearly,' she says on the Action for Victims of Chiropractic's website. Denoon suffered a brain-stem stroke and now has poor balance and cannot write with her right hand. A court cleared her chiropractor of negligence.

Such stories are just the tip of an iceberg, says Ernst, director of complementary medicine at the Peninsula Medical School, run by Exeter and Plymouth universities. He has collected details of about 700 cases.

'I am not calling for a ban on chiropractors carrying out spinal manipulation but I think we have to think about regulating the practice far more carefully than we do at present,' he said.

A spokeswoman for the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) said 2,300 chiropractors were registered with it and that since 2001 only one had been disciplined for breaching guidelines.
Peter Dixon, the council's chairman, said the report was 'yet another research scare' story.

'This does not serve the interests of the public or those of researchers who are dedicated to improving the public's health,' he said.

Herbal remedies: not just for hippies

AT his practices in Greater Manchester medicinal herbalist, Jesper Launder says less than one third of his patients are men. "Probably the most common reason is bravado," he says. "Men generally aren't good at dealing with health issues. That is the same for all therapies not just herbalism. Women are generally much more confident talking about problems even if it's of an intimate nature."The idea behind herbalism is to treat the underlying causes of illness rather than the symptoms alone. An initial consultation with a herbalist will take about an hour, during which a full case history will be taken to assess overall health and to look at the underlying causes of any health complaints.

As part of the consultation a herbalist might also check pulse, blood pressure and for some conditions, listen to your chest.Medicine is usually prescribed as a combination herbal tincture - an individually prepared remedy based on six to nine herbs. Herbal teas are sometimes used, and creams and ointments may also be given.STRESS Stress is one of the biggest health issues for men and includes related problems such as depression, fatigue, exhaustion and panic attacks."I often see men when they have reached breaking point," Jesper says.

"When they are rock bottom it takes a lot longer to recover, which is why I try to encourage people to recognise when their stress levels are getting too high so that it is easier to manage."Jesper encourages people to take steps to reduce the stress in their life and to change their response to it, such as tackling one task at a time and setting time aside to relax."Learning a relaxation technique, such as meditation or yoga, can be very helpful," he says. However, there are a number of remedies useful in treating stress and anxiety including lemon balm, scull cap, wild oats, ginseng and valerian.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART DISEASE

Heart disease accounts for one in five deaths in men under 75.It is not advisable to self-medicate for heart disease and high blood pressure, however, there are herbal remedies that you can take to help prevent the risk of future problems."Hawthorn, either berries of flowers, is one of our most useful native medicinal plants," says Jesper. "It contains large amounts of plant pigments, known as flavonoids, that have a marked antioxidant effect in our body and particularly on the cardio-vascular system."Jesper stresses, however, that, if you are already on medication for any heart or circulatory disorders, Hawthorn should not be taken as an over the counter medicine without consulting a specialist.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Erectile dysfunction is repeated difficulty in achieving an erection and more than half of all men over 40 will experience this problem at some time.Lifestyle factors have an influence such as smoking and drinking as well as psychological factors such as anxiety, worry, stress or depression.But there are underlying medical conditions that can be linked too such as diabetes, heart and circulatory diseases or multiple sclerosis. Injury to the spine and nerve damage can also cause it."A lot of men who come to me do so for sexual complaints, although they might only mention it after a couple of sessions," Jesper says.

Jesper says that herbal medicine can often help but may take a week or so to improve the condition - there is no direct alternative to Viagra. He suggests trying ginseng, which both increases circulation and improves resistance to stress. Ginseng should not be used if you suffer from high blood pressure, have a tendency towards manic states or if you drink a lot of caffeine.

PROSTATE PROBLEMS

The prostate is a gland located between a man's bladder and urethra (the tube that takes urine from the bladder to the end of the penis). It often enlarges when men reach their mid-40s and symptoms of this, which are very common in men over 50, are, feeling that you have not completely emptied your bladder after urinating, waking up often at night to urinate, urinating often and needing to push or strain to start the urine stream.

Jesper suggests trying Saw Palmetto which has been found to be useful in the treatment of benign enlargement of the prostate gland. The medication is thought to relieve only the difficulties associated with an enlarged prostate without reducing the enlargement.

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a skin condition that can occur in both men and women and commonly affects about one in 50 men.Psoriasis is a vast acceleration of the usual replacement processes of the skin, which appears as raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales. It can occur on any part of the body although elbows, knees and the scalp are the most common. The exact cause is unknown although it is thought to be linked to certain genes and this genetic tendency can then be triggered off by such things as injury, throat infection, certain drugs and physical and emotional stress."Herbalists tend to look at skin complaints like psoriasis and eczema as an external (on the skin) reflection of internal problems," says Jesper."This means that two people with very similar looking psoriasis for example might well be treated differently," he explains.For those looking to try a single herbal remedy initially, Jesper recommends sarsaparilla, which is thought of as a blood cleanser as well as being appropriate for rheumatic complaints. You can also try blue flag root, a North American member of the Iris family.

best way to cure: herbal medicines

Alternative herbal medicine is one of the best ways to cure chronic or other disease, in many cases. The major benefit of herbal medicines is that it is 100% natural and does not have any side effects, if taken according to the advice of a competent doctor. Look for and use organic herbs when ever possible.

Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA) is the wonder medicine made from primrose, borage or currant seed oil that is extremely effective for treatment of alcohol addicts. Alcohol intake in huge amounts has the chances of slowing down your brain cells. This particular effect of alcohol can be checked by Valerian herb. Another effectual herbal medicine for people suffering from emotional or physical stress is Skullcap.

The alternative herbal remedies for stress, anxiety or depression are St. John's wort, ashwagandha, valerian and hops ginseng, and Motherwort.

If one is suffering from any degree of sleeplessness, the most helpful herbal medicines are lemon balm, linden, chamomile and ginger tea. For quick relief from common ailments like the odd headache, you can go for eucalyptus or peppermint oil and lavender while for rapid pain relief or inflammation, one can take meadowsweet or willow bark instead of chemical painkillers.

Salicylic acid, the chief component of the pain-killer aspirin, is found in its salicin form in willow bark and meadowsweet. The salicin is reacted upon in the stomach and transformed to salicylic acid, which grants you instant relief from pain. Ginger, which reduces the prostaglandin levels in the body, is another useful pain reliever.

Thanks to the hectic modern style of present day living, most of us suffer from stress in different forms. Herbal medicine is a great way to counter this. Ginseng and Siberian ginseng are two of the most potent stress relievers. Herbal medicines like gingko biloba, ginseng, Siberian ginseng and gotu kola are also successful in curing partial memory loss. Hawthorn, ginseng, motherwort, valerian and pineapple are the wonder herbs that help in curing angina or irregular heartbeat.

Most herbal medicines are prepared from the major herbal ingredient along with other contents. At present, almost 80% of all the medicines have some herbal ingredients.

Although herbal medicines have been extremely successful in treating many diseases, prescription drugs still hold the fort when it comes to treating critical diseases. Thus, one should not consider alternative herbal medicine to be a competitor of prescription drugs, but as a new and effective form of medicine that works in tandem with prescription drugs to treat certain illnesses.

Another benefit of herbal medicines is that it is accessible to most everyone. Herbal treatment is not at all expensive and the herbs can even be grown in your backyard! In fact, prescription drugs are much more expensive and associated with a greater amount of risk.

Alternative medicine is cheap, effective and most importantly, natural and free from any side effects.

Tai Chi: Healing in motion

The fastest- growing exercise in America, Tai Chi can help relieve everyday stress and strain, whatever your age.

Perhaps it was the Celebrex commercial, featuring nimble people in orange jackets practicing Tai Chi outdoors. Or, the thousands of baby boomers who today are looking for a healthy way to ease on down the road of life.

Maybe it’s because Tai Chi has so very many styles: Chen. Sun. Yang. Wu. Hao. Hu Lei. Zhao Bao. Whoa.

Whatever the reason, the martial art called Tai Chi has become the fastest-growing exercise in America, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association.

“Tai Chi just reached a tipping point,” said author Arthur Rosenfeld. “It is popping up everywhere.

Consider Tai Chi another tool in your fitness work chest. Proceed cautiously and take the time to understand this eclectic exercise. It could help you keep your equilibrium in the face of whatever life serves your way. It may even help you sleep.

At age 71, Patricia Honsberger finds time weekly to stand like a golden rooster, one of the Tai Chi movements that works the abdominal muscles. She heads out — like clockwork — every Tuesday morning to pick up her mother Alice Eidenier for their Tai Chi class. Honsberger thought Tai Chi would help with the arthritis pain suffered by her 94-year-old mother.

“Tai Chi has been the thing for us,” said Honsberger, who recently returned from a Tai Chi cruise to Mexico. “Otherwise, I would have to go on some quiet hikes. It’s hard looking after a mother who is in pain all the time.”

Tai Chi’s exercise involves prolonged movements, requiring muscles to keep working for long periods of time. Breathing enhances these movements and helps to increase the joint’s range of motion. When you least expect it, all of this kicks in for balance and strength — to prevent a fall, for example. That’s why this martial art has traditionally been associated with longevity and maintenance.

Cross-trainer for life

Yang, one of the slowest and least physically challenging styles of Tai Chi, accommodates people with movement problems. It is thought to be best suited to the unflexible American physique. It is also probably the most accessible style in the area. You can find Yang at many fitness outlets.
Practicing Tai Chi — Yang style — helps carry you through the day. Late-afternoon doldrums can be trumped. Early morning joint stiffness, too. Stress-induced insomnia, meanwhile, could evaporate with a five-minute breathing hit of Tai Chi. One instructor called it a cross-trainer for life.

“I figure I have another 30 years, and I want my physical body to keep up with my spirit,” said Penelope J. Klein, 60, who is also a black belt in judo and teaches physical therapy at D’Youville College. “If you think about it, Tai Chi serves many people, including caregivers.”

In our culture, the practice of Tai Chi is oftentimes associated with Jackie Chan and fighting, suggested Rosenfeld. This dilution often occurs when tradition is passed from one culture to another — or when there are small amounts of true practitioners.

The downside of the popularity of Tai Chi is that there is no regulatory body, Rosenfeld said. “It’s no problem to announce you’re a Tai Chi master by putting on some silk pajamas and all of a sudden you’re charging $40 an hour.”

When searching for a Tai Chi instructor, he said, first determine how many years of experience he or she has.

“Ask the teacher to talk about his or her lineage,” suggested Rosenfeld, the Floridabased author whose martial arts training spans more than 27 years. “These things are passed down through families. An unwillingness to discuss the specific tradition should serve as a warning flag.”
Eastern belief has a life force (chi) circulating unhindered through your body. Sickness occurs when that flow becomes disrupted. Rosenfeld believes those who practice Tai Chi are being proactive.

“Think about it. We are not a Mazda. We are mind and body together,” said Rosenfeld, during a telephone interview from his Florida home. “Our crisis in health care resulted from an abandonment in responsibility. The idea that somebody outside of you knows more than you about your body is preposterous. The doctor works for you. You are your health and happiness.”
Tai Chi people

JudyAnne Bonafede is an exercise fanatic and racewalker who moves with maximum efficiency. Her brand of Tai Chi is often best practiced with a sword, an elite straight double-edge weapon. She understands her body, how it works and how it feels when it doesn’t. She also teaches a beginner’s Tai Chi class.

“I’m enjoying exploring my body,” said the 54-year-old. “I notice a definite improvement in health and posture, a relaxed control. There is good energy when you get with Tai Chi people.”
Ken Stuczynski, 38, teaches Tai Chi at Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A martial artist who took up Tai Chi in 1999, he said the exercise “forces you to use muscles and not your joints to support your weight. It also teaches you to align the spine gravitationally.”

He distinguishes other styles of Tai Chi that are taught in the area:

• Eight Tigers — Distinctly different because of Japanese influence. Defined by spiritual focus and sliding feet more than stepping. Reiki influence.

• Taoist — Physical-therapy oriented. Focus on body alignment. Postures lean and are not as upright.

• Shuyun — Renamed after the grandmaster in California to differentiate it from the Wu Family style it came from. Known for “Eight-Step Preying Mantis” kung fu that is all elbows.

“Tai Chi is always better when performed in fresh air,” Stuczynski said. “Traditionally the best time to do Tai Chi is just before sunrise and an hour before the last meal of the day. People who are serious about it will practice almost daily or even more than once a day. I do a little bit here and there, but use my classes as my more structured practice.

“The ideal school accepts people with all levels of interest,” Stuczynski added, “for maintenance as well as for learning and progressing. You can get as far into Tai Chi as you want.”

Harmony Tai Chi

Harmony Tai Chi distills the essence of the Chen, Yang and Wu styles. The Chen style, one of China’s oldest, originated as a martial art and is quite dynamic. The Yang style emphasizes slow, expansive movements. The Wu style moves from a smaller stance than the others. Those who study Harmony Tai Chi combine the grace and tranquility of one school with the dynamism and agility of the others.

Astronauts test traditional medicines in space

BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's astronauts have been testing new varieties of traditional Chinese medicine that could help treat osteoporosis, insomnia and improve immunity.

Doctors with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center say the new remedies will be prepared for sale after further tests during the country's third manned space program in 2008.

The medicines have been packaged in pill and capsule forms for the first time so astronauts will be able to take them in space.

The medicines were intended to improve cardiovascular and heart and blood vessel functions during short space flights or space walks, said Li Yongzhi, doctor with the center.

"We have finished human trials and the results were satisfactory," said Li.

The center has been working with a pharmaceutical factory to produce the medicine, which would undergo clinical tests by the end of the year, said the doctor, but she declined to elaborate.

"The medicine is expected to be on the market in the next two years and we hope they will not only benefit the space elite, but also the general public," she said.

Living in zero gravity could lead to cardiovascular problems, lower immunity and bone mineral loss, said Li.

"We can't say the astronauts would be ill as it is the normal physical reaction of a healthy body to an abnormal environment," said Li.

"Western medicine lacks effective remedies with no side effects, but traditional Chinese medicine offers good over-all recuperation," she added.

Li's center has applied traditional Chinese medicine to the health care of astronauts since 1997.

"Our astronauts are very healthy, so the Chinese medicine they have taken is used to improve their adaptability and endurance," said Li.

China has a team of 14 astronauts. Li and her colleagues have spent 10 years collating their physical indices during training and space flights, on which the doctors have composed different recipes for each astronaut.

"The astronauts only take traditional Chinese medicines when needed," said Li.

"The astronauts began to drink what we call 'medical tea' 90 days before the Shenzhou VI space mission in 2005. It's herbal soup," she said. "They all love it and said they slept better and were more energetic after drinking the tea."

Li said Russia and other European countries had begun research into traditional Chinese medicine for space programs.