Research on alternative therapies

[cathie]

I thought you might be interested to see this, sent to me by my tai chi teacher who is also a physiotherapist.

rheumatology.org/apps/MyAnn...

rheumatology.org

[Hidden]

Thanks Cathie that's interesting. Tilda x

[allanah]

Interesting isn't it. Looks like they need to do some more random controlled trials so they can do a thorough meta analysis. But Tai Chi comes out well in this study although not so much on the other alternative therapies. Hope they keep researching it.

From a personal perspective massage and acupuncture would be what i would spent my personal care plan money on if I were allowed. I haven't been able to stand for long so haven't tried tai chi, can it be done in a seated position?

love and hope you are well Cathie

Axx

[cathie]

When I first started tai chi I couldnt stand for long either. I was able to pay for some 1:1 classes which helped. My teacher is very understanding and let me sit for the meditation - when most people were lying down. i've found it brilliant because it helps deal with stress and increases your joint/muscle flexibility. But you need to find a good instructor as I gather there are very variable approaches. I think some tai chi/ chi gong can be done seated, it could perhaps be adapted - I'll ask my teacher next week.

I'm OK - will feel more settled once the consultant has agreed to let me continue the anti-tnf!

Hope you are well too XX

[su2po]

I have an issue with the term "alternative therapy" I really feel that all therapys should be tested and anything that is proven to not work should be thrown out ( reiki, chiropractic, healing therapy, homeopathy etc) the rest should just be called therapy.

I'm sure everyone here has had friends or family and some cases even strangers telling you to go to all manner of witch doctors and even getting upset with you when you don't go or don't want to. These types fo "therapy" are very dangerous when it comes to real organic diseases and not the psychosomatic ( just to clarify, psychosomatic illnesses are real, they just start and can be cured with the mind, organic illnesses do not.) that people so often suffer from.

that's my two cent I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to science and living, I feel it's really important to have the facts, and be treated accordingly without evidence it's charlitanism.

[trianon in reply to su2po]

I agree - a friend of mine did a one day course in reiki and thought she was well qualified to help anyone - she aint coming near me!!

[su2po in reply to trianon]

I have been offered faith healing, homoeopathy, "magical" rituals and even bach flower remedies, all of these people believe that the doctors want to keep me on medicine, that there is some kind of first world medicine conspiracy and all I needed to do to get better was follow their advice (eep!) or change my diet lol if only it were that simple, I would jump on it!

[cathie]

I'm just reporting something I saw which I thought might interest/inform

[Hidden in reply to cathie]

Hi Cathie,

Thanks for reporting on Alternative remedies. I have RA and was diagnosed 5 yrs. ago. I"m on Methotrexate. I like to be open minded and try different things. Most cannot hurt. Going to a natural path has been very helpful. I let each practitioner know that I am using complimentary methods as well as traditional methods to help control my RA. If my rheum. is not supportive then I will get one who is. Once I let him know this, he became supportive. Even though each does not understand why each does what they do, I am the patient and I have a right to use what helps. So thanks so much!

Carol from NH

[su2po]

Yeah it's right on the money Cathie, nicely done

[mille]

I have heard that tai chi can be good for arthritis and if it helps you Cathie that is great, i would love to try it. I agree some treatments are not helpful and even harmful but yoga and tai chi should certainly not be harmful and no one is saying use it as an alternative to your medication, it can be a helpful supplement.