The effectiveness of alternative medicine practices in treating chronic diseases.

Introduction

The use of alternative medicine practices for treating chronic diseases has gained significant attention in recent years. These practices include a variety of non-conventional therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, tai chi, and chiropractic care. This synthesis aims to present the effectiveness of these alternative medicine practices in managing chronic diseases based on multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Effectiveness in Chronic Pain Management:
- Alternative therapies like acupuncture, tai chi, osteopathic manipulation, and chiropractic care are frequently used for chronic pain management, with a significant percentage of patients reporting them as helpful adjunctive treatments .
Widespread Use Among Elderly and Specific Populations:
- A notable proportion of elderly individuals and patients with chronic liver and gastrointestinal diseases use alternative medicine, with herbs and acupuncture being the most common. These practices are often used alongside conventional treatments .
Reduction in Sick Leave and Improved Health Status:
- Long-term use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been associated with a reduction in sick leave and self-reported improvements in health status among chronically ill patients.
Mental Health Benefits:
- CAM practices such as acupuncture, hypnosis, massage therapy, and mind-body techniques (e.g., meditation, relaxation) have shown promising results in treating chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
Personalized Medicine and Integrative Approaches:
- Integrative medicine, which combines CAM with conventional treatments, is becoming more common. This approach is tailored to individual patient preferences and has shown potential in managing chronic conditions more effectively.
High Satisfaction Rates:
- Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, and epilepsy report high satisfaction with CAM, particularly in terms of effectiveness and lack of side effects. Ayurveda and herbal medicine are among the most frequently used CAM practices .

Conclusion

Alternative medicine practices are widely used and generally well-received by patients with chronic diseases. These practices, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mind-body techniques, are often used as complementary treatments alongside conventional medicine. They have shown effectiveness in managing chronic pain, improving mental health, and reducing sick leave. The integration of CAM into personalized healthcare approaches holds promise for more effective management of chronic conditions.

The effectiveness of alternative medicine practices in treating chronic diseases.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

A Comprehensive Review of Alternative Therapies for the Management of Chronic Pain Patients: Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and Chiropractic Care

Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, tai chi, osteopathic manipulation, and chiropractic care, may be effective adjunctive treatments for chronic pain management.

Alternative medicine in a sample of 655 community-dwelling elderly.

Alternative medicines, particularly herbs and acupuncture, are widely used by elderly individuals with psychological symptoms, particularly depressive disorders, potentially concealing difficulties in seeking specialist advice.

A hospital-based study on the use of alternative medicine in patients with chronic liver and gastrointestinal diseases.

Alternative medicine is used by one-third of patients with chronic liver and gastrointestinal diseases in Taiwan, regardless of demographic groups.

An analysis of sickness absence in chronically ill patients receiving Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A longterm prospective intermittent study

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions can reduce sick leave in chronically ill patients, potentially indicating general effectiveness in primary care.

A Primer of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Its Relevance in the Treatment of Mental Health Problems

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) shows promise in treating chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, but large doses and interactions with conventional medications require informed practitioners.

The Role of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine in Personalized Health Care

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can play a significant role in personalized healthcare by complementing conventional care and supporting health-promoting behaviors.

Alternative Medicine: New Ways to Treat Diseases and Therapies

Alternative medicine, including Ayurveda, homeopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy, yoga, herbal medicine, and massage therapy, is increasingly accepted and widely used for treating various diseases due to its compatibility with patients' values and beliefs towards health.

Use of and satisfaction with complementary and alternative medicine in four chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study from India.

A large proportion of patients with chronic diseases in India use complementary and alternative medicine and are satisfied with its use, with ayurveda being the most frequently used.

Complementary and alternative medicine use among persons with multiple chronic conditions: results from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey

Complementary and alternative medicine use is prevalent among individuals with multiple chronic conditions, with mind-body interventions being the most common modality used.

Alternative medicine and the perimenopause an evidence-based review.

Alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly used in perimenopause treatment, but only proven therapies should be considered for optimal health and well-being.

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