The Health Ministry The Minister Speaks

Jan 04, 2010 TENS - Neurology Group Recommends Against TENS for Chronic Low-Back Pain

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: General Health Matters Osteopathy]

The American Academy of Neurology has issued guidelines that suggest that TENS should NOT be used to treat chronic low back pain. However, it should be considered for use in the tretment of Diabetic Neuropathy.

Arthritis Suffers can reduce Pain with Tai Chi

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: General Health Matters]

The results of a new analysis by Arthritis Care & Research have provided good evidence to suggest that Tai Chi is beneficial for arthritis. Specifically, it was shown to decrease pain with trends towards improving overall physical health, level of tension and satisfaction with health status.                                                                                                                     

Regular workouts are protective against ischemic stroke

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: General Health Matters Osteopathy]

Well, who would thought it? Exercise can have a positive preventative effect against strokes? However, what did suprise me was that the level of exercise that is needed to gain a protective effect is greater than I would have happily recommended to a group of people with an average age of 69. Not ancient, I know, but taking up racquet sports does seem a brave move. Also, the protection seems to be for MEN ONLY.

Oct 15, 2009 “Putting a cell phone against your head is like putting one side of your head against a microwave”

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: General Health Matters]

I can’t help feeling that this is going to prove a worry to us all, especially those who have children. If you are not worried, perhaps you should be!

Oct 14, 2009 High-dose Vit D may reduce the risk of falls in older people

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: Osteopathy]

“In several trials of older individuals at risk for vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation improved strength, function, and balance in a dose-related pattern,” write H.A. Bischoff-Ferrari, MD, MPH, from the University of Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland, and colleagues. “Most importantly, these benefits translated into a reduction in falls. Overall, however, results have been mixed for fall prevention with vitamin D; for example, several trials of vitamin D have had non-significant results.”

Sep 25, 2009 3D Animation of CSp and Disc Anatomy

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: Osteopathy]

I liked this YouTube entry on cervical disc anatomy and cervical segemental motion.

Sep 11, 2009 Fibromyalgia Syndrome: The Multimodal Therapeutic Approach

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: Osteopathy]

This complex condition, which I imagine taxes all involved with trying to treat it, has been reviewed with particular reference to a multi-disciplinary approach. This article, published by Medscape, is worth a read. To get the whole text, you will need to join at http://www.medscape.com/medscapetoday.

Aug 12, 2009 New Review Endorses CV Benefits of Fish Oil

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: Osteopathy]

August 10, 2009 - Lisa Nainggolan - A new review concludes that there is extensive evidence from three decades of research that fish oils, or more specifically the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) contained in them, are beneficial for everyone [1].

Aug 09, 2009 CREDIT CRUNCH AFFECTING PATIENT BOOKINGS?

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: Osteopathy]

Has anyone else noticed a change in self-referral patterns? Recently, the popular conversational questions seem to be, “How’s business? Are you busy? Has the crunch affected you?” At work or in the gym or pub, it seems to be a constant.

Jun 30, 2009 Surgery May Relieve Pain of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: Osteopathy]

“Compared with patients who are treated nonoperatively, patients in whom degenerative spondylolisthesis and associated spinal stenosis are treated surgically maintain substantially greater pain relief and improvement in function for four years,” the study authors write.

Jun 17, 2009 Obesity Paradox Probed in New Review

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: ]

Despite being a key cause of heart disease, obesity appears to be protective in a range of cardiovascular problems, a new review concludes [1]. But that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t try to lose weight, lead author on the paper, Dr Carl J Lavie (Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA), told heartwire. Indeed, patients who fare the best seem to be obese patients who manage to lose some weight, he said.

Mar 26, 2009 Osteoporotic Fracture

[author: TheHealthMinister - categories: ]

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are established as effective treatments for patients experiencing back pain related to osteoporotic or pathologic vertebral compression fractures.

Mar 25, 2009 Patello-femoral pain and Exercise?

[author: ChiefGeek - categories: ]

For the original article from Medscape Medical News and other links,follow;

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/703552?src=mp&spon=8&uac=128682AK