OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of alternative therapies among different racial/ethnic groups in the USA. Specifically, we examined whether alternative medicine use differs for working aged whites, Asian Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics. DESIGN Using the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, racial differences in utilization were investigated at two levels: (1) the bivariate leve...

evidence acquisition we searched pubmed, google scholar and the cochrane databases for systemic reviews, review articles, meta-analysis and randomized clinical trials up to december 2013. results in this review, the efficacy and safety of the more commonly used cam methods for the treatment of obesity, namely herbal supplements, acupuncture, and non-invasive body-contouring, are briefly discuss...

Shiatsu is one of only a few complementary therapies featured on the National Childbirth Trust’s DVD given to all pregnant women in the UK. The Shiatsu Society was one of only 13 organisations that sponsored the DVD. We produced a short advertisement which appears on the DVD in between the documentary-style footage about how parents can prepare for the birth of their baby. The film combines inf...

There is now a general trend towards a more baby friendly, family centred approach in the Neonatal Unit. Aspects of that approach-including positive touch and massage- are gaining in popularity. This has caused much debate due to the ambiguity surrounding the implementation and validity of the interventions. Here the impact of these complementary practices (not to be confused with complementary...

The motivations of cancer patients in seeking complementary therapies are, fundamentally, self-healing motivations which, when engaged appropriately, can contribute to the patient's psychological and physical well being. In this paper, we apply a theoretical model, the Risk Adaptation Model, to furthering the clinical understanding of the motivations of cancer patients in seeking complementary ...

A qualitative study based on Heideggerian phenomenology was conducted with 17 Thai women who had survived breast cancer and had utilized at least one type of complementary therapy. The study explored the meaning of such therapy and the data were collected by an in-depth interview, a demographic data-recording form, and a reflective journal. The data were analyzed by using an interpretative proc...