Pain is the single most common reason for patients to consult a CAM practitioner. This essential new book provides concise evidence-based information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in relation to pain. Each section has a clear and accessible design to enable quick decision-making, and includes an analysis of the most up-to-date research available.
Key Features
- Provides a single authoritative reference source on CAM for pain for healthcare professionals
- Takes a systematic and evidence-based approach
- Offers concise information on CAM diagnostic methods and treatments for pain
- Summarises clinical trial data on the effectiveness of CAM for specific areas of pain
- Alerts readers to areas where CAM may present risks
- Weighs the benefits and risks of each CAM treatment in relation to pain
- Includes CD-ROM for easy searching of the text
Author Information
By Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPED, Professor of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, UK
ForewordPrefaceContributorsAcknowledgmentsGlossary and abbreviationsPatients’ language of painSection 1 Using the book• The book at a glance • Methods• How to use this book • Bibliography of main reference sourcesSection 2 General topics• Complementary and alternative medicine – an overview• Epidemiology of pain• Pain measurement • Current medical concepts of pain• Psychological concepts of pain• Alternative concepts of pain• Anthroposophical concepts of pain • Ayurvedic concepts of pain• Concepts of pain in healing• Homeopathic concepts of pain • Naturopathic concepts of pain • Osteopathic concepts of pain • Concepts of pain in traditional Chinese medicineSection 3 Therapies• Acupuncture• Alexander technique• Aromatherapy• Autogenic training• Ayurveda• Biofeedback• Chiropractic• Craniosacral therapy• Feldenkrais• Herbalism• Homeopathy• Hydro-/ Balneotherapy• Hypnotherapy• Imagery• Kinesiology• Massage• Meditation• Music therapy• Naturopathy• Neural therapy• Osteopathy• Qigong• Reflexology• Relaxation therapy• Shiatsu• Spiritual healing• Static magnets• Tai chi • Yoga• Table 3.3 Other complementary therapies which have been tested for effectiveness or are used frequentlySection 4 Medicines • Arnica (Arnica montana)• Avocado soybean unsaponifiable• Cannabis (Cannabis sativa)• Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa)• Chilli (Capsicum spp)• Chondroitin• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)• Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)• Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)• Glucosamine• Green lipped mussel• Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)• Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata)• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)• Leeches • Nettle (Urtica dioica)• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)• Red clover (Trifolium pratense)• SAMe• Shark cartilage• Willow (Salix spp)• Table 4.1 Other complementary medicines which have been tested for effectiveness or are used frequentlySection 5 Pain syndromes• Abdominal pain• Angina pectoris• Back pain• Burn pain• Cancer pain• Carpal tunnel syndrome• Complex regional pain syndrome• Dental pain • Depression• Dysmenorrhoea• Fibromyalgia• Headache• Labour pain• Mastalgia• Migraine• Minor trauma• Myofascial pain • Neck pain• Neuropathic/neuralgic pain• Osteoarthritis• Otitis media• Perioperative pain• Peripheral arterial occlusive disease• Procedural pain• Raynaud’s disease• Rheumatoid arthritis• Shoulder pain• Tennis elbow • Table 5.33 Examples of other occasionally used treatments for specific conditions lacking sound evidence of effectivenessSection 6 Useful resources for pain managementPostscript
“We have to thank Edzard Ernst for his achievement in bringing together a comprehensive summary of the evidence that exists within many important areas of complementary medicine. George Lewith. Pain News. Autumn 2007
