Alternative therapies in rheumatic diseases - pros and cons

We have reviewed several types of alternative therapy used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. The data provided by most available research does n ot show significant results of these therapies in comparison with Western t reatment protocols. However, there has been some symptomatic relief reporte d by patients who have turned to these alternative remedies. Alternative me dicine is not without potential harm or danger, especially in the herbal re medies used. Acupuncture is a relatively safe means of therapy, and even th ough its effect in rheumatic diseases has not been very impressive in terms of influence on the course of disease or laboratory parameters, it has pro vided some symptomatic relief where pain was involved. Even though acupunct ure has not been very effective in rheumatic conditions, there are other pu blished claims for success in migraines, electro-acupuncture in depression, in the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting, and for nausea ca used by chemotherapy as well as for analgesia in childbirth. Since the public demand for alternative types of therapy is increasing, and since people will go to alternative medicine therapists, it makes sense fo r medical doctors to become acquainted with these subjects.