Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
SummarySeit Jahrhunderten kommen Wasseranwendungen zur Steigerung von Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden zum Einsatz. Studien belegen die Wirksamkeit der Wassertherapie nach Kneipp bei Indikationen wie chronisch-venöser Insuffizienz, Hypertonie,... more
SummarySeit Jahrhunderten kommen Wasseranwendungen zur Steigerung von Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden zum Einsatz. Studien belegen die Wirksamkeit der Wassertherapie nach Kneipp bei Indikationen wie chronisch-venöser Insuffizienz, Hypertonie, leichter Herzinsuffizienz, menopausalen Beschwerden und Schlafstörungen. Bei äußerlichen Anwendungen spielen Wärme oder Kälte eine wichtige Rolle. So kann Eisbaden zum Beispiel die Stressresistenz, die emotionale Stabilität sowie das Herz-Kreislauf-System stärken. Wärmebäder besitzen eine entspannende und stressregulierende Wirkung. Innerlich angewandt hat eine hohe Wasseraufnahme ebenfalls viele positive Effekte auf den Körper.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
: Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medical practice, which has at its heart a subcontinent filled with diverse customs and ethos. Since ancient times, as considered in the Vedas, fasting has been considered to aid a man’s spiritual life... more
: Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medical practice, which has at its heart a subcontinent filled with diverse customs and ethos. Since ancient times, as considered in the Vedas, fasting has been considered to aid a man’s spiritual life as a means of purification. The body and mind constitute the substrata of diseases, and the imbalance of Vata, Pitta, Kapha, somatic Doshas, and Rajas and Tamas (mental doshas) results in various diseases. Derangement of metabolism (Agni) is a major cause of the imbalance in the abovementioned doshas. In Ayurveda, Agni refers to the complete process of metabolic activities, both at the levels of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the tissues. Digestion, metabolism, and assimilation, that is, the entire process of biological conversion and utilisation, is symbolised by ‘Agni’. The concept of channels and microchannels (srotus) plays a major role in metabolic processes as particles are transported for various bodily functions through these channels. The concept of metabolic toxins (Ama) is very relevant in modern times, particularly in the treatment of many diseases including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, adiposity, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, oedema, migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, burnout syndrome, various skin diseases and psychiatric and psychosomatic diseases that occur due to weak digestion and tissue metabolism. The vitiated doshas in the body, particularly in the stomach, reduce the intensity of or impair digestive activity to cause digestive impairment and the production of metabolic toxins. They together block the channels in the body which result in various diseases. Fasting is the absence of food in the viscera or ensuring a controlled food intake and aids the digestion of metabolic toxins, kindles digestive enzymes, activates tissue metabolism, and removes the blockage in the channels.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Question Metabolic syndrome has an increasing prevalence worldwide and there is an urgent need for improvement of medical treatment. In traditional medical systems bloodletting is a frequently recommended therapy in subjects with... more
ABSTRACT Question Metabolic syndrome has an increasing prevalence worldwide and there is an urgent need for improvement of medical treatment. In traditional medical systems bloodletting is a frequently recommended therapy in subjects with obesity and vascular disease. Recent randomized studies showed that bloodletting improves insulin sensitivity in patients with diabetes mellitus and increased ferritin concentration and might be beneficial in younger patients with peripheral arterial vascular disease. We aimed to test if traditional bloodletting has beneficial effects in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods A randomized controlled study with a study period of 3 months was conducted in 64 self-referred subjects that had a confirmed diagnosis of metabolic syndrome as defined by recent guidelines. Thirty-three subjects (60±7 yr; BMI 32.8±5.5 kg/m2) were allocated to the bloodletting intervention group and 31 subjects (57±10 yr; BMI 32.5±5.6 kg/m2) to the control group (waiting list). In the intervention group two phlebotomies with removal of 300–400 ml of venous blood were performed at day 1 and after 4 weeks. Primary outcomes were the course of seated systolic blood pressure and of insulin sensitivity as measured by HOMA-Index. Secondary endpoints included diastolic blood pressure, ferritin, serum iron, hematocrit, HbA1c, LDL/HDL-quotient and blood glucose. Results Baseline characteristics were balanced between groups. Seated systolic blood pressure dropped from 148.5±12.3 to 130.5±11.8 mmHg in the intervention group and from 144.7±14.4 to 143.8±11.9 mmHg in the control group (group difference −16.6 mmHg, 95% CI:−20.7 to −12.5; p<0.001). HOMA-index after 3 months was not different between groups (p=0.251). Diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, HbA1c and LDL/HDL were significantly decreased by bloodletting. Bloodletting led to reductions of serum iron concentration, plasma ferritin and a slight decrease in hematocrit with no serious adverse events. Conclusions Phlebotomy (bloodletting) effectively decreases blood pressure and improves metabolic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome. Larger studies should test the longer-term efficacy of bloodletting in metabolic syndrome, hypertension and lipid disorders.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Acupuncture has lately been discussed to be a powerful placebo. The standard paradigm in experimental pain/placebo research is experimental ischemic pain (submaximal effort tourniquet technique=SETT). The aim of this study was to directly... more
Acupuncture has lately been discussed to be a powerful placebo. The standard paradigm in experimental pain/placebo research is experimental ischemic pain (submaximal effort tourniquet technique=SETT). The aim of this study was to directly compare the effect of electroacupuncture to pharmacological interventions in a well-established, opiate-sensitive, standardized, experimental pain paradigm. Accordingly, there was no sham acupuncture condition. The effects of a placebo pill, a non-steroidal analgesic (Ibuprofen: 400 mg), an opiate (Tramadol: 50 mg) and electroacupuncture on the SETT were compared to non-treatment control. Methods In total, 125 healthy young men (mean age: 24.44±4.46) were randomized to 5 groups (non-treatment control, placebo pill, Ibuprofen, Tramadol, and electroacupuncture). Baseline was measured at day 1 and treatment on day 2 in a double-blind design for the pharmacological conditions. SETT was performed on the non-dominant arm with 250 mmHg cuff pressure and time was limited to 30 min or a pain rating of 10 (Scale 0–10). Subjects were prompted every 3 min to rate their pain. Electroacupuncture was performed at acupoints DI 4 and DI 10 contralaterally with 20 min of stimulation prior to and throughout the SETT. Dependent measures were “time”, “average rating over time”, “pain tolerance index” (time/rating). Results Mean pain ratings were significantly reduced for electroacupuncture and the opiate condition compared to non-treatment control, the placebo pill and Ibuprofen, while pain tolerance was increased. There was a tendency for subjects in the opiate and acupuncture condition to tolerate the SETT for a longer period of time. However, the effect was blurred due to a strong ceiling effect (time limit of 30 min). Discussion Electroacupuncture was shown to be as effective as a single dose of an orally administered opiate in reducing experimental tourniquet pain. There was no effect of the placebo pill or Ibuprofen. Therefore, electroacupuncture is as much a placebo as the opiate Tramadol.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Anesthesiology, Pain, Chronic Pain, Exercise therapy, Medicine, and 15 morePhysical Therapy, Humans, Movement, Female, Male, Neck Pain, Awareness, Middle Aged, Adult, Randomized Controlled Trial, Neck, Confidence Interval, Surveys and Questionnaires, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Medical and Health Sciences
Research Interests: Ayurvedic Medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Plant Biology, Quality of life, and 15 moreMinerals, Ethnopharmacology, Pharmacognosy, Medicine, India, Antioxidants, Humans, Substance Use, Lancet, Rejuvenation, Siddha, Materia Medica, Pharmaceutical preparations, Complex Mixtures, and Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
Research Interests: Engineering, Mathematics, Demography, Chemistry, Anesthesiology, and 15 moreBiostatistics, Evidence Based Medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Clinical Trials, Health Care Policy, Chronic Pain, Biology, Massage, Humans, Anatomy and Physiology, Female, Male, Cupping, Drugs and devices, and Adverse reactions
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Question Permanent nociceptive influx may lead to functional changes in the nervous system, i.e. hyperalgesia and allodynia occur. These processes are suspected to contribute substantially to the ongoing pain process. Reflex... more
ABSTRACT Question Permanent nociceptive influx may lead to functional changes in the nervous system, i.e. hyperalgesia and allodynia occur. These processes are suspected to contribute substantially to the ongoing pain process. Reflex therapies, like the Gua Sha, a traditional Chinese massage technique preferentially used in the treatment of back pain, are supposed to affect the transmission and processing of sensory information on receptor and spinal level [1]. If so one could assume that the Gua Sha massage should not only decrease the pain level itself, but also change sensory thresholds in the affected areas. In order to test this, we applied the Gua Sha massage in patients with chronic back pain and evaluated sensory threshold changes. Methods Thirty patients with chronic back pain (mean age 50.3±10.1 years) were randomized to treatment group (TG) or waiting list control group (WLC). At T1 all patients rated their pain on a 0–10 VAS scale. Baseline sensory testing was then conducted, followed by Gua Sha massage for the TG. Seven days later (T2) sensory testing was repeated and the WLC received Gua Sha. Testing included determination of mechanical detection threshold (MDT), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and vibration detection threshold (VDT) as described in the Quantitative Sensory Testing procedure (QST) by Rolke et al. [2] at the site of maximal pain, 10 cm next to the pain maximum and two control areas. In accordance to the QST procedure MDT and PPT scores were logarithmized. For further analysis, differences between T1 and T2 were compared between TG and WLC. Results First results show a significant decrease in mean pain ratings for the TG compared with the WLC (p<.05). Sensory testing at the control areas served as an estimation of measurement reliability (mean correlation 0.74±0.13). t-Tests revealed no differences for VDT. For MDT and PPT group differences were found 10 cm next to the pain maximum, i.e. MDT and PPT increased in the TG, but not in the WLC (p<.05). No such effect could be observed at the site of maximal pain. Conclusions GuaSha not only decreased pain intensity for 35% on average compared with 4.6% increase in the WLC. TG also showed increased MDT and PPT at 10 cm next to the pain maximum. Together with the steady thresholds in both control areas this can be interpreted as the result of functional changes in the sensitized area. It appears that Gua Sha reduced allodynia in the pain surrounding area.
Research Interests:
This paper describes the diagnostic features, treatment, and subsequent clinical course of a 53-year-old male whose migraine headaches increasingly impaired his ability to master his professional daily routine, causing him to seek help at... more
This paper describes the diagnostic features, treatment, and subsequent clinical course of a 53-year-old male whose migraine headaches increasingly impaired his ability to master his professional daily routine, causing him to seek help at our clinic. After the patient was evaluated according to diagnosis principles of Traditional European, Traditional Indian, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, he received naturopathic treatment as recommended by these traditional medical systems, initially as an outpatient and later as an inpatient. The patient's clinical response to the various therapeutic approaches was largely favorable and continues to be so. This supports the usefulness of such methods in treating migraine headache. The philosophies and rationales of the diagnostic and treatment methods of the three traditional medical systems are discussed with regard to migraine headache, particularly with regard to migraine illness as suffered by our patient.
Research Interests:
Acupuncture as well as meditation are supposed to be effective in the control of clinical pain. While acupuncture can be suspected to act through segmental (gate control) or spino-medullary mechanisms (DNIC), control of pain through... more
Acupuncture as well as meditation are supposed to be effective in the control of clinical pain. While acupuncture can be suspected to act through segmental (gate control) or spino-medullary mechanisms (DNIC), control of pain through meditation must be a cortico-spinal process. However, both techniques have rarely been investigated in experimental pain paradigms. A well-established, opiate sensitive pain paradigm is experimental ischemic pain (submaximal effort tourniquet technique=SETT), which is moreover the standard procedure in experimental pain/placebo research. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) with the effect of meditation on pain tolerance in the SETT. Moreover, two different acupuncture locations (arm vs. leg) were tested. Methods 23 healthy young volunteers (20–44-yr-old) participated in the study. Ten participants (6 m, mean age=37.30±5.31) had a minimum of 2 years experience with meditation, practicing at least 3 times a week (M). Mean age of the 13 control participants (6 m) was 24.23±3.88 years (non-M). SETT was performed on the non-dominant arm with 250 mmHg cuff pressure and time was limited to 30 min or a pain rating of 10 (Scale 0–10). Subjects were prompted every 3 min to rate their pain. EA at the arm contralaterally to the SETT was performed at acupoints DI 4 and DI 10 or at MA 36 and LE3 on the contralateral leg with 20 min of stimulation prior to and throughout the SETT. On day 1, a baseline measurement without EA was performed. On days 2 and 3, EA was applied either to the leg or at the arm in randomized order. Dependent measures were “average rating over time” and “pain tolerance index” (time/rating). Results During baseline, M showed significantly greater pain tolerance and lower pain ratings compared to non-M. EA at the arm or the leg significantly increased pain tolerance and reduced pain ratings in non-M. EA diminished the group difference between M and non-M. Discussion We were recently able to show that EA was as effective as an opiate (Tramadol) to increase pain tolerance in the SETT. The data presented here suggest that meditation as a top-down process is as effective in controlling SETT pain as EA. EA at both locations was similarly effective which supports the role of DNIC in acupuncture.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Acupuncture, Adolescent, Medicine, and 15 moreBrain Mapping, Brain, Humans, Insula, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Female, Male, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Health Service, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Dry needling, Anterior cingulate cortex, Acupuncture points, and Electric stimulation
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Chronic Pain, Randomization, Medicine, Physical Therapy, Low back pain, and 15 moreHumans, Complementary Therapies, Chronic Disease, Female, Male, Neck Pain, Health Status, Pressure, Middle Aged, Complementary Alternative Medicine, Adult, Pilot Projects, Pain Measurement, Pain Threshold, and Medical and Health Sciences
Research Interests: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Chronic Pain, Treatment Outcome, Medicine, Physical Therapy, and 13 moreMassage, Humans, Complementary Therapies, Female, Male, Neck Pain, Complementary Medicine, CUPPING THERAPY, Middle Aged, Complementary Alternative Medicine, Adult, Randomized Controlled Trial, and Pain Threshold
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Several documents in conventional medicine claim an association between FD, sleep disturbance, and some dermatological conditions, but there... more
Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Several documents in conventional medicine claim an association between FD, sleep disturbance, and some dermatological conditions, but there is still debate about these relationships. This study aimed to measure the association between FD and some skin problems and sleep indices based on the attitudes of traditional Persian medicine. Methods: This study was carried out on patients with the diagnosis of FD and healthy people. The study populationconsisted of patients who referred to the gastroenterology clinic of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Shiraz, Iran) from July to December 2019. To diagnose dyspepsia, we used Rome III criteria. Skin problems and sleep indices were evaluated using a validated researcher-made questionnaire. P-values of ≤0.05 were considered significant. Results: Overall, 160 patients (46 men and 116 women) with FD and 155 healthy individuals (36 men and 119 wom...
Research Interests:
Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of wet cupping in the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris. Methods: Between August 2018 and January 2020,... more
Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a widespread skin disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of wet cupping in the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris. Methods: Between August 2018 and January 2020, eligible patients with moderate to severe facial acne were recruited in this single-blind, intervention-sham-controlled clinical trial in Iran. The intervention group received wet cupping twice and likewise the control group received sham cupping. Also, both groups received 500 mg azithromycin 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Acne grades were assessed 6 weeks and 12 weeks after beginning of the treatment by the dermatologist uninformed of group allocation and participant self-assessment. Quality of life was assessed with valid questionnaire before and after the treatment. Result: Totally, 103 patients completed the trial. The patients in the intervention group had better improvement and grade of acne compared to the control group at the end of the trial. Pa...
Research Interests:
Objectives: Momiai ( shilajit, mummy, mumie, or mineral pitch) has been used traditionally in different medical systems for the treatment of a variety of ailments since hundreds of years ago. It is a natural substance found in different... more
Objectives: Momiai ( shilajit, mummy, mumie, or mineral pitch) has been used traditionally in different medical systems for the treatment of a variety of ailments since hundreds of years ago. It is a natural substance found in different rocky parts of the world, formed by plants, mineral, and animal remains gradually. There is also worthwhile evidence supporting its oral use for bone repair in Persian medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of momiai in tibia fracture healing. Design: This study is a randomized double-blinded controlled trial. Settings/Location: Three different hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Subjects: Patients with age range of 18-60 years admitted due to new tibia fracture were enrolled after meeting the inclusion criteria. Interventions: The patients were divided into two groups randomly and received two 500 mg capsules of momiai or placebo for 28 days. Outcome measures: The process of bone healing was assessed by frequent X-ray radiographies and adverse effects were recorded. Results: Totally, 160 patients participated in the study either in two equal intervention or placebo groups. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of demographic and descriptive data. At the end of the study, the mean time of tibial bone union was 129 days in the experimental group, while it was 153 days in the placebo group (p < 0.049). There was no significant difference in the reported adverse effects between the two groups (p = 0.839). Conclusions: The current study showed that oral consumption of momiai after tibial shaft fracture surgery could be a promising option to reduce the healing time.
Research Interests:
SummarySegmentierung ist ein Ordnungsprinzip und das älteste architektonische Gerüst der Evolution. Ein Segment ist definiert als das Versorgungsgebiet eines Spinalnerven in Haut, Muskulatur, Knochen und inneren Organen (Dermatom, Myotom,... more
SummarySegmentierung ist ein Ordnungsprinzip und das älteste architektonische Gerüst der Evolution. Ein Segment ist definiert als das Versorgungsgebiet eines Spinalnerven in Haut, Muskulatur, Knochen und inneren Organen (Dermatom, Myotom, Sklerotom, Enterotom u.a.) und bildet die Basis der Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Körperoberfläche und Körperinnerem.Viele traditionelle Heilmethoden nutzen diese Wechselwirkungen zwischen Körperoberfläche und inneren Organen, um bei Störungen innerer Organe Reize an der Haut zu setzen und dadurch über die segmentale Verbindung erkrankte Anteile heilend zu beeinflussen.Der vorliegende Artikel stellt die wichtigsten segmentalen Reizverfahren vor.