Chiropractic and Medical Massages are Top Medical Alternatives

Dr. Ganim G. Howard

June, 2005 – Healing hands are the best alternative medicine, Consumer Reports readers say. The nonprofit consumer magazine asked its readers how well alternative medicines work for work ails them. More than 34,000 readers took part. “We asked them to rate the effectiveness of conventional and complementary treatments for their two biggest problems over the last two years,” Consumer Reports Features Editor Leslie ware tell WebMD. “They told us whether these treatments helped a lot, helped some, helped a little, or were no help at all.”

The consumers' verdict:

•  Chiropractic ranked ahead of all conventional treatments for back pain.

•  Deep-tissue massage was very popular. It was particularly effective for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

•  Exercise helped a wide range of conditions: back pain, allergies, respiratory problems, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, insomnia, and prostrate problems.

•  Herbal remedies and dietary supplements often ranked well below over-the-counter remedies, while for most conditions prescription drugs ranked at or near the top.

The survey findings appear in the August issue of Consumer Reports.

Hands-On Therapies Get Thumbs Up

“For conditions such as back pain, Osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, some forms of alternative medicine did work well,” Ware says.

“Those were, specifically, chiropractic and deep tissue message. So look for hands-on therapies to work well for these conditions.”

That's because moderate pressure to muscles and soft tissues stimulates a cascade of biological effects, explains Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute of the University of the Miami School of Medicine.

“We are finding pressure is essential for any of the effects we see from field massage,” Field tells WebMD, “That may be one way chiropractic works, because typically a chiropractor applies moderate pressure. So does just about any sport that you do – or any self-massage exercise like yoga. Anything that stimulates the body's pressure receptors will help.”

Field warns that it's important to find a qualified therapist before undergoing such therapies. In spite of the fact they still have no clue, they are getting closer to our truth. Better health through better chemistry has failed and better living has always worked and will continue to work better.

For more information please contact Dr. Ganim Howard of Kanawha Valley Family Chiropractic at (304) 925 1697 or at ganimh@charter.net