Although it’s widely used for chronic pain, there’s controversy as to its value.

Now, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City, reviewed the evidence in 4 chronic pain conditions. (more…)

Acupuncture is commonly used for pain control, but doubts about its effectiveness and safety remain.

Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers in Germany searched the records from almost 10,000 patients for predictors of a positive response. (more…)

Myofascial trigger points may cause joint pain, headaches, and other kinds of pain so severe that it doesn’t respond well to painkillers.

Researchers at CEU-San Pablo University, in Madrid, Spain, assessed the response to burst application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). (more…)

The trapezius muscle contains trigger points (hyperirritable spots). Referred pain from these trigger points frequently cause patients to seek treatment.

Researchers at Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, in Bournemouth, UK, studied the immediate effect of electric point stimulation (TENS). (more…)

Researchers at Umea University, in Sweden, report on the experiences of people with chronic pain after Feldenkrais group intervention. (more…)

Acupuncture is commonly used for pain control, but there are doubts about its effectiveness and safety.

Prof. Ernst and colleagues are critical of acupuncture as a treatment of pain. Here, they summarize reports of serious adverse effects published since 2000. (more…)

Researchers at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, in Bournemouth, UK investigated the immediate effect of electric point stimulation (TENS) in patients with latent upper trapezius trigger points compared to placebo.

Trigger points are discrete, localized, hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle, which can produce referred pain and tenderness. (more…)

Not according to this study of patients with neck pain, reported by researchers in Italy. (more…)

Workplace computer use has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders, a leading cause of work disability and productivity losses in industrialized nations.

Researchers from York University, in Toronto, Ontario studied tai chi as a workplace physical exercise for health promotion. (more…)

Researchers at Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand, reviewed research on exercise options to prevent and cure nonspecific neck pain. (more…)

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden, evaluated the long-term effects of naprapathic manual therapy on staying active in patients with non-specific back and/or neck pain.

Background on naprapathy is here. (more…)

Type “naprapathy” into Google and — you guessed it, — you’re asked, Did you mean: Naturopathy?

No…I meant N A P R A P A T H Y ? the stealthy CAM.

(more…)

In this Cochrane review, the effects of manipulation and mobilization alone or combined with other treatment approaches on neck pain were evaluated. (more…)

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City studied whether acupuncture reduces pain and dysfunction in patients with squamous cell cancer and a history of neck dissection (photo) — a surgical procedure used to control neck lymph node metastasis. (more…)

Guasha (aka Gha Sha) is used in Chinese medicine to control pain. It uses tools to scrape or rub the surface of the body to relieve blood (Xue) stagnation (video here).

Researchers from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, in Daejeon, South Korea reviewed the supporting evidence. (more…)

Qigong is an internal martial art in which one learns to sense the Qi (the circulating life energy) moving in their body.

Prof. Ernst reviewed the research on qigong to treat pain. (more…)

Ergonomic adjustments (modified keyboard layouts and ergonomic advice) play a major role in treating most work-related complaints.

This Cochrane review concludes that the scientific support is underwhelming. (more…)

There were “no significant differences for pain, neck pain, disability, and quality of life,” according to researchers at Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany. (more…)

 Researchers from the University of Washington, in Seattle studied whether therapeutic massage is beneficial treatment for chronic neck pain. (more…)