Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder that accounts for a significant proportion of patients seen by gastroenterologists. It is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and disturbed bowel function.

Drugs, dietary modifications, and counseling are employed for symptom management, but there is no reliable medical treatment for IBS.

Although there is no strong scientific evidence available that supports the use of Chinese herbal agents to combat IBS, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used for centuries and is still routinely used in China. Several Chinese studies have suggested that CHM is effective for IBS.

Although usually not life-threatening, back pain - particularly chronic low back pain (LBP) - is a significant cause of functional disability, and evidence suggests that up to 90% of the costs are attributable to only 5-10% of LBP patients. The diffuse nature of back pain complicates definitive diagnosis and treatment strategies, resulting in wide variance in management between and within the health professions.

It is safe to say that a great number of clients come to massage seeking relief from muscle and joint pain. Many will also be suffering from stress and need to relax. Others may be athletic or high-powered performers who want pain relief without becoming tired or drowsy. Essential oils can address all of these areas and add a pleasing fragrant dimension to your therapeutic work.

The most famous essential oil for pain relief and relaxation is lavender (Lavandula officinalis, L angustifolia, L vera.) Distilled from the flowering tops, the best lavender oil comes from Bulgaria, France, England, Yugoslavia and Tasmania, though it can be grown all over the world. Lavender Vera is grown in higher altitudes, which produces more esters and a finer scent. Lavender has a long list of applications for skin; because of its anti-inflammatory and cell regenerating properties, it is one of the only essential oils that can be applied neat, or undiluted, to the skin.

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As the author acknowledges, the thought of using maggots for wound cleansing is still a loathsome concept for many people. The author argues that maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is an effective alternative treatment for such soft-tissue wounds as pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and particularly nonhealing postoperative wounds recalcitrant to other forms of wound care. MDT's origins are ancient, but it has been approved for use in the United States for more than 60 years and its use is currently increasing.

Beyond the use of glucosamine sulfate as an effective intervention to halt joint cartilage destruction and help regenerate new cartilage in osteoarthritis cases, substantial clinical and experimental evidence supports the use of other natural health products, which demonstrate proven abilities to block inflammation, and reduce the signs and symptoms of arthritis and other joint inflammatory conditions. Studies indicate that many of these natural agents provide similar efficacy as conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, and are safer to use with respect to reported adverse side-effects.

Most medical practitioners have failed to embrace these alternative anti-inflammatory agents, and tend to rely primarily on synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs as their principal approach to managing these problems.² It is well documented that these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) produce intestinal tract ulcers (with potential internal bleeding) in 10-30 percent of long-term users, and erosions of the stomach lining and intestinal tract in 30-50 percent of cases.³ As a result of these side effects, NSAID use is associated with 10,000 - 20,000 deaths per year in the U.S.⁴ Even the new COX-2 inhibitor drugs have only been reported to reduce intestinal tract damage by 50 percent, and their toxicity to the liver and kidneys is still under review.⁵