There has been a recent spat of article in the lay press and medical journals questioning the efficacy of anti-depressants. In a new analysis of multiple clinical trials by the FDA it was determined that drugs such as Prozac did not provide significantly more relief to depressed patients than did placebo pills. Psychologist Irving Kirsch …
Erythema nodosum is a type of skin inflammation that is located in the fatty layer of the skin. It results in reddish, painful, tender lumps most commonly located in the front of the legs below the knees. The painful nodules can be as large as 3 inches. In some patients this disease can go on …
Migraines typically last from 4 to 72 hours and tend to be throbbing, severe in intensity, associated with nausea/vomiting, and aggravated by light and sound. Often the cause of the migraines can be complex in that both emotional and physical stresses can be at the root cause. Numerous studies conducted in China have show the …
Rabbi Mosche Ben Maimon one of the most influential Jewish physicians and philosopher who lived at the time of the Persian empire in the 12th century AD wrote what he felt were the most important factors pertaining to our health. His third point is quoted below. If the illness is stronger than the patient there …
Twice a month for the last 10 years Victor (age 17) has had recurring sinus infections. It is hard to imagine but he has been on so many courses of Augmentum and Omnicef that his parents have lost track. Now within days of starting antibiotics he will get an upset stomach and start vomiting. When …
Most physicians who have dedicated their life to learning and practicing complimentary medicine do so because they have witnessed the effectiveness of it in their lives. I recently read an interesting biography of Woodson Merrell, MD in Alternative Therapies. He played a key role in setting up an integrative medical clinic at Beth Israel Medical …
Food Cravings, particularly if strong, are viewed by the homeopath as a sign of imbalance in the body. As part of a homeopathic evaluation I will routinely ask the patient if they have any strong food cravings. The stronger and more unique the craving the more likely it will guide me in selecting the right …
New evidence indicates that aerobic exercise eases depression almost as well as antidepressants medication does. After following 202 patients for 4 months researchers found that depression largely cleared up in 45% of patients exercising in groups, 40% in those exercising at home and 47% of those taking anti-depressants. In exercising to relieve depression one avoids …
The first written text of acupuncture was by the great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Franklin Bache. In 1825 he wrote an article titled “Memoirs on Acupuncture” and translated French acupuncture textbooks into English. Acupuncture was used during the US Civil War. William Osler, one of the most famous physicians of the 19th century, in …
Esquire magazine runs an article entitled “What I’ve Learned”. Last year Michael J. Fox was interviewed on this topic, and I found his following comment very interesting: “I can’t always control my body the way I want to, and I can’t control when I feel good or when I don’t. I can control how clear …