ఆల్టర్నేటివ్ & ఇంటిగ్రేటివ్ మెడిసిన్

Introduction: Nicotine addiction has become one of the largest international health problems, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers, and respiratory diseases. There are several treatments available for smoking cessation with the most common transdermal nicotine Replacement and anti-depressants. However current treatments are only mildly efficacious and have side effects which lead to a decrease in their effectiveness. Additional treatments for smoking cessation with lower side effects are required. Methods: We examined the efficacy of Remotiv® (Hypericum perforatum Special Extract - ZE117) compared to Nicabate® CQ Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and combination ZE117/NRT for smoking cessation over a treatment time of 10 weeks. Given the different pharmacological profiles of Ze117 and NRT it was expected that a combination treatment would be most efficacious for smoking cessation than the other two treatments alone. Sixty smokers aged between 18 and 60 years were enrolled in the study. Smoking status was assessed using CO levels measured by the Bedfont Smokerlyzer (primary outcome measure). Secondary outcome measures of anxiety, DSMIV nicotine dependence and Fagerström craving and symptoms were also recorded. Results: A significant main effect of reduction in the number of smokers over the course of the study was observed although there were no significant differences between any of the treatment groups on this variable after 14 weeks. Conclusions: These results indicate that the three treatment options are equally efficacious for smoking cessation. Interestingly the Ze117 treatment significantly reduced the amount of craving over the treatment duration of the study compared to the other two treatments indicating a possible mechanism by which Ze117 may assist in smoking cessation.

Background: Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a pelvic pain condition in men that involves urinary symptoms and sexual activity-related discomfort and should be distinguished from other forms of prostatitis such as chronic bacterial prostatitis and acute bacterial prostatitis. CPPS significantly affects men’s quality of life. We experienced six cases which revealed improved CPPS symptoms after herbal medicine therapy. Case report: We describe 6 cases of CPPS that could not bead equately controlled with antibiotics or alpha blockers. We decided to administer Bojungikki-tang, an herbal extract used in Korean medicine. At baseline, NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score of 6 cases was 28.83 ± 6.37 (average ± standard deviation). After 5 months ~ 10 months of treatment with Bojungikki-tang, we observed a reduction of CPPS symptoms such as pelvic pain, frequent urination, and sexual symptoms. Among 6 cases, 5 cases reveals NIHChronic Prostatitis Symptom Index score 0 point (83.3%), 1 case reveals 14 points after herbal medication treatment. Discussion: Our case series has shown that the symptoms of CPPS may be controlled using herbal medication when unresponsive to conventional therapies.

Based on observation of 30 client visits in a complementary care office, this article describes an innovative way of “talking to the body” to achieve greater health. Ethnomethodological analysis reveals how participants interactively make sense of a treatment modality known as Neuro Emotional Technique. As the same time, this exploration considers how the assumptions of a traditional Chinese medicine model and a contemporary nonverbal model apply to the interactions. Although the medical model and communication model originated more than 3,500 years and 6,000 miles apart, their central tenets are remarkably similar and reflect many of the assumptions displayed by actual participants. From each perspective, nonverbal communication is regarded as a useful way to bridge the gap between mind and body and to reveal emotional issues unrealized by the mind.