The CAM Sham

In a recent article in Newsweek, Jerry Adler reviews a book lambasting complementary and alternative medicine as people purporting miracle cures and selling snake oil. There are so many problems with the premise of this article, but perhaps the biggest problem with is their imprecision: consistantly failing to define what is alternative medicine. The same is true in Groopman's well written NYTimes book review of Anne Harrington's "The Cure Within." CAM is grouped into a monolith concept, and a take it or leave it stance (The Cure Within focuses more on " Mind-Body Medicine" than "CAM," another differentiation, with overlaps, that would need to be explored more fully.)

Each of the so called "CAM therapies" has it's own history, theories, and basic assumptions. To truely evaluate them, they much each be considered individually. Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, etc. do not nessesarily share the same theory and premise. I am an expert in Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Chinese herbal medicine. I know very little about any other CAM therapy. In my field, it gets even more complicated, when treatment and diagnosis are individualized, each physician has their own style and technique.

Not that I am downplaying research in CAM. It is an interesting and positive endevor. But, it needs to start with the correct assumptions and classifications and examine each therapy on it's own merit. One would not study the robotic surgery of a radical prostatectomy, and conclude that surgery for hip replacements do not work. The same must be done with CAM, and each method should be evaluated by researchers with a background and interest in that disease and therapy.

FDA challenges to Chinese herbal medicine research are large, and deserve a much more dedication.

Gastropareisis Question

I serve as a volunteer expert on a number of websites for individuals looking for answers about health and Chinese medicine. Sometimes there is a question which I think would interest a lot of my readers. If you have a question about Chinese medicine, please feel free to e-mail me.

Question: I have diabetes and have been tested for the GP and found to be retaining more than 30% of my food after four hours. I was taking Zelnorm which seemed to help but that has been withdrawn. Now I am on Reglan but my bowels seem to get unstable with it severe diarrhea followed by severe constipation. I have recently been dxd with my second colon infection also felt to be due to the Reglan. I am looking for something which may help me move my food a little faster. I have tried increasing fiber as well as water but neither seem to do any good. I believe many of my medications are getting caught up in my stomach and not being dispersed and I am actually getting overdoses on many of them. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer:

Hello,

Thank you for your question. I understand you are in a difficult situation.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can be very effctive for improving gastric motility and the treatment of constipation. Because TCM is a holistic medicine, it works to help improve overall health.

TCM is not a one size fits all treatment. Each patient is diagnose individually. So I cannot tell you an herbal formula or an acupuncture point which may necessarily help. That can only be done after an examination which includes various questions, taking the pules, and looking at the tongue.

In TCM, constipation may be related to various diagnosis including internal heat and dryness or qi (the body's energy)deficiency.

Acupuncture can help by boosting the body's energy and getting rid of the heat. From a western science perspective, we're not completely sure how it works. But it may help by "waking up" the nerves in your digestive tract and reminding your brain how to digest well.

I recommend you find an acupuncturist in your area who also is trained in Chinese herbs. Herbs can be very effective for constipation as well. Your practicioner will be able to research if there are known herb drug interactions for their formula.

Best,
Joe