The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona
by James Bogash
Hip Pain Not Related to Structural Damage
Any good chiropractor could come to this conclusion without all the money spent on a study. So many times I hear patients coming in saying “My doctor told me I have arthritis.” Guess what?? If you’re over the age of 25, you’ve got arthritis. We can not always rely on X-rays for a diagnosis.
by James Bogash
Acupuncture Can Reduce Arthritis Pain
I think positive results in trials of acupuncture are probably the hardest for mainstream medicine to follow. There is very little correlation between our Western beliefs and Eastern medicine. It requires an entirely different view. Just because we do not understand something, however, does not mean it is ineffective. Acupuncture has literally thousands of years of anecdotal evidence relating to its effectiveness and safety. Mainstream medicine barely has decades.
(article) Acupuncture offers a significant adjunct to conventional therapy in the management of osteoarthritis, according to the results of an NIH-supported study of complementary medicine in osteoarthritis pain management presented here at the 17th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Although more patients are turning to complementary medicine and more physicians want to integrate complementary medicine into their practices, evidence for the efficacy of these methods is lacking, according to Dr. Brian M. Berman, professor of family medicine and director of the complementary medicine program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dr. Berman and colleagues at the University of Maryland conducted a study to investigate the impact of acupuncture on pain levels in osteoarthritis of the knees in the elderly. In the first phase, the researchers evaluated 73 patients, all with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knees, who were not relieved by anti-inflammatory medications. The subjects were randomized to continue on anti-inflammatory drugs alone or anti-inflammatory drugs plus 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment. “We found on the 3-month follow-up that there were significant changes,” Dr. Berman told Reuters Health. “Acupuncture did reduce their pain, they had less stiffness and they were able to function better.”
by James Bogash
Patients’ Role in the Use of X-Rays for Common Complaints
Many times I see patients in my office who have had X-rays and MRIs taken almost right at the start. And of course, the usual diagnosis is arthritis.
Well, I’ve got sorry news…ALL of us have arthritis to some degree. This study suggests that patient’s perception and wishes have an influence on whether or not radiographs are taken. I firmly believe that if the patient was educated and informed about their condition, then they would understand that X-rays are not needed right away. Remember, in Latin, Doctor translates to Teacher….
Patients’ Role in the Use of Radiology Testing for Common Office Practice Complaints
by James Bogash
Omega 3, not omega 6 fatty acids inhibit tumorogenesis
All of us in natural medicine have a tendency to call certain things “bad” or “good” when what we really mean is that we need a balance between the two. Every element that the body produces is there for a reason, and problems occur when the amount of that substance increases or decreases compared to normal. Consider the COX-2 inhibitors for arthritis (Vioxx, Celebrex)…the COX-2 enzyme is there for a reason–nature does not do otherwise. Just because we have not identified what that reason is yet does not mean it does not exist. We are now seeing an increase in risks to the heart with the COX-2 selective inhibitors. Perfect example. The omega-3 and -6 fatty acids are no different. Most experts agree that a ratio of about 1:1 or 2 (omega-3 to -5) is ideal, but Western living puts it more like 1:20.
PNAS — Abstracts: Liu et al. 98 (13): 7510
by James Bogash
Food Allergy and Seronegative Arthritis: Report of Two Cases
This is really an article that touches on many aspects. First, food allergy is a very important aspect in health and should be evaluated or at least considered in every patient. It is very well accepted that our dogs with arthritis can do much better with dietary changes, and yet when it comes to us humans it’s virtually unheard of. Next, food allergies having systemic effects really points to the need for healthy digestion, notably stomach acid. Allergies are most often produced in response to proteins; most proteins should not survive intact through the digestive process. Optimal digestion of proteins plays an important role in avoiding food allergies. Lastly, this article once again points to the systemic effect that the GI tract can have on our health. This is one area that still has not been grasped by mainstream medicine, and yet it’s impact on patient’s health can be tremendous.
Springer LINK: Clinical Rheumatology – Abstract Volume 20 Issue 4 (2001) pp 279-281
by James Bogash
T cell reactivity to microbial antigens, collagen in RA after new meds
Etanercept is the new drug being used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. I have always been concerned at the effects of blocking the action of TNF-gamma in the body. A more rational approach would be to use natural methods to block the production of TNF-gamma (anti-inflammatory diets, herbs, maintaining good insulin sensitivity, lowering the level of adipose tissue…). New research is suggesting that this new drug upregulates the immune system further, with the potential for even more autoimmunity–the reason the drug is used in the first place!!
Ann Rheum Dis — Abstracts: Berg et al. 60 (2): 133
by James Bogash
(TNF-) Plays a Protective Role in Acute Viral Myocarditis in Mice
Careful with this!! TNF-alpha receptor blockers are the hot new class of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and now Crohn’s disease. I always worry about blocking the action of a cytokine as important as TNF-alpha–we can’t possibly begin to guess the long term effects of this suppression of the immune system. Well, maybe we can–could fatal cardiac infections be one of those long term potential side effects? Only time will tell; time and the post-marketing surveys done on the guinea pig patients…
Circulation — Abstracts: Wada et al. 103 (5): 743
by James Bogash
Trial of doxycycline for chronic seronegative arthritis
While the concept that certain patients arthritis may be initiated by an infective agent is wonderful, the findings in this study that antibiotics do not change the outcome is not at all surprising. Much evidence points to the scenario that an infectious agent (more often than not from the GI tract) upregulates the entire immune system. This upregulation ultimately results in the body attacking its own tissues. The key for these patients is to down regulate the immune system. This can be done with elimination diets, avoidance of refined carbs, essential fatty acids, exercise and natural anti-inflammatories.
Ann Rheum Dis — Abstracts: Smieja et al. 60 (12): 1088
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