WC; evidence, what about HAs?

[Guest guest]

Meanwhile, Andrew Weil posts this in his e-newsletter:

 

Acupuncture for Chronic Headaches

Results of a recently published British study show that acupuncture combined

with drugs works better than conventional medical treatment alone to treat

chronic headaches, many of which are migraines.

 

Researchers tested 401 patients who reported having headaches several days

every week. They found that those who received the combination of

acupuncture plus drugs reported fewer and less-intense headaches than those

who were given drug treatment only. Those who participated in the

acupuncture group had up to 12 treatments over three months.

 

At the end of the study, researchers noted that the patients who had

acupuncture claimed 22 fewer days of headaches per year, used 15-percent

less medication, made 25-percent fewer visits to their doctors, and lost

fewer work days than the other group.

 

Results of the research were published in the March 15, 2004, online issue

of the British Medical Journal.

 

 

 

> , " alon marcus " <alonmarcus@w...>

> wrote:

> a review of the literature since 1995 failed to show consistent, well-

> controlled research support for the routine application of acupuncture.

Indeed,

> a recent study using more valid research methodology found that acup was

of

> little effectiveness for acute and chronic low back pain. Review of the

patient

> sample used indicated that chronic non-malignant pain syndrome patients

> were included. Given this, and until more consistent, well controlled

studies

> demonstrate effectiveness, the current guidelines do not recommend that

> acupuncture be used with chronic non-malignant pain syndrome patients "

>

>

> that seems pretty clear. anyone who is investigating this matter should

> inquire about conditions other than low back pain as there is no evidence

for

> those, either. Interesting scenario. I wonder what kind of political

> maneuvering would get the state fund to ignore the evidence or lack

thereof.

> In the absence of good research, politics is whimsical. Today's friends

are

> tomorrow's enemies. As long as cultivating friends in high places is how

we

> make our headway, we are always one election away from disaster. If

> evidence showed acupuncture was effective for LBP at less cost than WM,

then

> it would be a no-brainer to our cost cutting governor.

>

> It can be no coincidence that Governor Arnie came into power swearing to

cut

> costs and eyeing the WC budget. While he wrangles with how to get his

> measures enshrined into law by either the legialsture or a referendum, he

> still has a few options available to him right away. One power given to

the

> executive that can wielded without any consent from the assembly or public

> is to enforce existing laws. It appears the guv may be asking the state

fund to

> enforce existing law which mandates evidence based treatment as the

> standard of care. Clever guy.

>

> Is there enough evidence for chiro and PT?

>

 

>

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>

> Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services, including

board approved continuing education classes, an annual conference and a free

discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine.

>

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