Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Herbal Help?

Interesting article on several points. This researcher says that several of these herbal remedies seems to help with IBS but the studies they looked at have been critisised.

One critisism is the small numbers involved on some studies which is fair comment. The other is the the Chinese formulations were not clearly difined and identical for all paitents. Now within the Western tradition of medicine that's a fair critisism too, however the whole point of traditional Chinese medicine is that the formulation is tailored to the individual, maybe the researcher might consider that this is exactly WHY it was more successful than western medicine in combating the sypmtoms of IBS.

Exercise gets you off depression's treadmill - The Australian: [January 25, 2006]

I think most people who are interested in Complementary therapies would already know that exercise is a major player in both physical and mental health.

The important factor in this study is that it demonstrates just how fast the efect is in lifting your mood.

Sources of help and information on drugs and drug related issues in the UK

PDF document prduced by DrugScope a UK based charity which provides a list of agencies, national and regional organisations, counselling services, helplines and other useful resources.

This listing has contact information for all of the organisations listed and is bang up to date as it was produced in in Jauary 2006.

Feeding Minds

Website with loads of information about food and it's effect on menatal health. This is produced by the Mental Health foundation so it's not trying to sell you anything and the information seems reliable.

The site includes recipies and tips for eating a diet which will help meantal health.

Exercise linked to big drop in dementia risk - New Scientist Breaking News

Interesting article on a study done with elderly people which shows that moderate exercise can reduce the risk of dementia and Altzheimer's disease by quite large percentage.

Osteoarthritis cure? Keep moving, stay moving - myDNA

This is confirmation that the old "use it or lose it" adage is still relevent for osteoarthritis sufferers.

Tomato juice could 'save smokers' | the Daily Mail

I'm in no way advocating smoking as a healthy option but if you are finding yourself unable to give up or you've decided that even with the known health risks you still want to smoke then this suggests that eating lots of tamatos will reduce the damage that smoking does to you lungs.

The art of calm | the Daily Mail

This is a good reason to get out of the office at lunchtime and have a cultural break.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

This article from the same source as the last couple of links is on Spinal Stenosis. Very useful and readable material.

Fast Facts About Sports Injuries

Article for the lay person on sports injuries.

Lots of useful stuff from NIAMS today.

Questions and Answers Sprains and Strains

Another super article from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

This one gives information (aimed at the lay person) on sprains and strains; what the symptoms are, how to treat them and how to prevent them.

Osteoporosis: Coping With Chronic Pain

Another useful article, this one is about coping with chronic pain from Osteoporosis.

PRODIGY PILS L28; (Version=27)

Excellent article on Cervical Spondylosis written for the lay person, I find neck pain is second only to lower back pain among clients who come to me for re-alignment.

Whiplash responds amazingly well and I've had success with some chronic neck pain although that tends to take longer to respond and top-up treatments may be needed if there is structural damage to the vertebrae.

A twist in pain relief - Arizona Republic

You may have guessed from my website that I have a particular interest in back pain, or at least in relieving back pain. This study shows that yoga is very useful in helping people with chronic back pain.

I often suggest that clients take up either Yoga or Pilates but using physical therapy like Neuro-skeletal re-alignment first to relieve thier pain enough for them to undertake exercise is also very benificial.

Pressure points - Courier Journal

This is a very positive article about Reflexology.
Reflexology tends to get less media coverage than massage and it's one of my favourite therapies both as a practitioner and as a client so I was pleased to see this article.

Diabetics often use alternative and normal therapy - Reuters.co.uk

This US study of people with diabetes, showed that almost half used complementary therapies. The good news is that they didn't seem any less likely to use conventional therapy.

This goes against the often stated worry that people will use complementary therapies instead of seeing medical practitioners for dangerous or life threatening diseases.