San Diego Psychologist

San Diego Psychologist : Bad News for Glucosamine & Chondroitin

A new meta-analysis (a study combining lots of studies together) published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) indicates that the supplements Glucosamine & Chondroitin may not be clinically effective.  It involved looking at pain levels and imaging data (“radiographic joint space”) from 3803 people with knee or hip osteoarthritis who were followed 22 months or more.  Either the supplements were compared to a control group (placebo) or each other.  After statistical analysis of all the data, the results did not show any clinically significant benefits of using these supplements.

According to the article, principle researcher Dr. Peter Juni, M.D., Division Head of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland stated, “None of the two supplements we evaluated appeared to have any clinically relevant benefit in terms of pain relief that could be detected by patients with knee or hip arthritis.”

Now, there are limitations to this analysis, different doses of these supplements, different qualities and forms of these supplements, etc so I would still strongly recommend you talking to your pharmacist, primary care physician, and any other care providers about these or any or supplements.  Either way, according to the article, Dr. Andrew Sherman, M.D., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine notes, “Since there appears to be no negative consequence to taking these supplements (except cost) there appears to be no harm in doing so.”

Final Thoughts:
I know many people out there swear by these supplements, both in and out of the health care field so the choice is ultimately yours.  To me, the take-home message here is (1) be careful and (2) be educated about supplementation.  Always be informed.

Until the next Glucosamine & Chondroitin study…

Article available at: http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=643238

Original study (pdf) available at: http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c4675.full.pdf

Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net

San Diego Psychologist: Tai Chi May Help With Fibromyalgia

An intriguing article discusses a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine that indicates the practice of Tai Chi may improve symptoms of Fibromyalgia (a global pain condition that may include significant symptoms of fatigue).

According to the article, 66 people with Fibromyalgia were divided into two groups.  One group did hour-long sessions of Tai Chi twice a week for 12 weeks while the other had twice-weekly wellness education classes followed by gentle stretching.

The Tai Chi group experienced “decreased pain and increased ability to do daily tasks without pain; less fatigue, depression and anxiety; and an overall better quality of life. Furthermore, they reported better sleep quality and improved physical conditioning.”

Although the article stated that the study had no definitive answer as to exactly how Tai Chi had generated these improvements, principle investigator Chenchen Wang, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Tufts Medical Center, Boston noted, “the physical component of Tai Chi can improve aerobic capacity, strength and muscle function.  But in my opinion, the most important part is mental. You see lots of patients improve their depression and become good friends with each other.”

These results are very promising and yet another indication of the value of non-pharmacological techniques and practices to help increase well-being and quality of life.

Article available at: http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=642242

Study abstract available at: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0912611

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

San Diego Psychologist: Obesity, Exercise, and Fibromyalgia Risk

A new study indicates that (1) obesity alone can increase the risk of having fibromyalgia and (2) also having a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle can make this risk even greater.  The study followed 15,990 women after 11 years who initially did not have fibromyagia or physical problems.

Concerning weight, the article stated, “Being overweight — with a BMI [Body Mass Index] of 25 or higher — was a strong independent risk factor, with the heavier women having a 60 percent to 70 percent higher risk of developing the condition compared to the healthy weight women.”

Regarding exercise, the article emphasized its importance.  According to the article, principle researcher Paul Mork, of Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway noted, “Women who reported exercising four times per week [or more] had a 29 percent lower risk of fibromyalgia compared with inactive women.  Those who exercised two to three times a week were about 11 percent less likely to get fibromyalgia.”

Article available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_98189.html

An abstract/summary from the original study is also available at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123268508/abstract

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

San Diego Psychologist: New Drug For Migraines: Telcagepant Has Potential For Some Patients

A new migraine drug shows promise for some patients.  According to the article, “Telcagepant relieves pain in a similar way to the drugs known as triptans that are used to treat migraines. But it doesn’t cause blood vessels to constrict, a troublesome side effect for people with heart disease.”  The drug is still under testing.  Article available at http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=638322.    A summary of the study discussed in the Healthday article is also available at http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2810%2960323-6/abstract#.

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

San Diego Psychologist: Bad Childhood Behavior and Chronic Pain?

A recent study suggests that childhood behavioral problems may predict chronic pain issues later on in life.  “The study of nearly 20,000 people born in 1958 found that those with “severe behavior disturbances” between the ages of 11 and 16 were about twice as likely to have chronic widespread pain (CWP) by the time they were 45 as those who didn’t have behavioral problems as children.”  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_96346.html

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

Pain Management: Controlling Your Life

Chronic pain involves continued pain symptoms typically lasting longer than 6 months in which either (1) the bodily damage appears to be completely healed, (2) the origin is unknown, or (3) the cause is not sufficient for the duration, intensity, and frequency of the pain.  Acute pain involves pain symptoms that, in general, last the duration of an event and a brief time afterward.