Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which results in chronic inflammation in joint membranes.  Some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include severe pain, inflammation, joint disfigurement, and reduced joint mobility and function.  RA typically worsens as time progresses, however some people experience sudden remission in the midst of the disease.

Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

• Rheumatoid nodules
• Vasculitis,
• Eye inflammation
• Neurologic dysfunction
• Cardiopulmonary disease
• Lymphadenopathy
• Splenomegaly

Physical therapy (PT) is used for prevention and treatment of various physical limitations, sometimes resulting from disease or surgery.  It is meant to develop and improve range of motion and to restore quality of life to the furthest extent that it can.  It deals with the whole person including the physical, psychological, emotional and social aspects of the patient.

Physical therapy consists of requiring the patient to do certain exercises or assisting them in these exercises.  It often includes education and social or emotional coaching or attention. Physical therapists also work with those who are healthy and reasonably fit in order to prevent potential loss of mobility.  They do this by creating programs that promote fitness and wellness.  They seek to promote, through many means, the maximum functionality in their patients throughout life.

A recent study sought to determine how physical therapy might benefit those who suffer fromrheumatoid arthritis with joint pain and stiffness and a reduced quality of life. Those who participated in the study received one to two sessions of physical therapy every week for the duration of six months.

The study revealed that physical therapy decreased occurrences of pain during treatment and stiffness in the morning, however researchers also found that the physical therapy required in treating RA may be linked to an increase the patients’ other physical problems.  Therefore, while there were benefits of physical therapy relating to rheumatoid arthritis, it is difficult to determine the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Dr. Carrie will be happy to assist in not only therapy for rheumatoid patients but also using acupuncture for therapy.

According to a review published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Traditional Chinese herbs were found to be more effective in treating female infertility than Western Medical treatment.  Rates of pregnancy resulting from Traditional Chinese herbs were compared with the results of in vitro fertilization and other forms of Western Medical treatment, and were shown to produce more positive results than drug therapy alone.

The Menstrual Cycle and Infertility

A correlation was found between diagnoses relating to infertility in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the quality and symptoms of the menstrual cycle.  Traditional Chinese Medicineincludes evaluation of the menstrual cycle as a central component of diagnosis and treatment, and this is thought to be a key factor in its success.  Western Medicine often has a different focus when it comes to treating infertility, but menstrual issues may be more pertinent to infertility than practitioners initially thought.

Research and Results

Researchers complied results from multiple studies involving almost 2,000 women who were infertile, and the results show a 60% pregnancy rate after four months for those who used Chinese herbs whereas there was only a 30% rate of pregnancy for those who used IFV for the duration of one year.  Within a much shorter period of time, Chinese herbs actually doubled the chances of getting pregnant compared to Western Medical infertility treatment or IVF.

The compiled studies revealed that when added to Western Medicine drug therapy, Chinese herbs increased the probability of pregnancy by about 95%.  This suggests that while Chinese herbs are more effective in increasing the chances of getting pregnant, a combination ofTraditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine may be the most effective treatment plan for infertility.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by food intolerance and abdominal pain, often occurring after consuming spicy or fatty foods and beverages including coffee or alcohol.  It is a common condition which affects more women than men, and at this time there is no cure for it.  Doctors and researchers have been searching for effective treatment options to relieve the discomfort that results from IBS, and further discoveries have been made about the condition itself.

Some Causes of IBS:

• Food poisoning
• Stress,
• Reaction to antibiotics
• Genetics

Gastroenteritis is linked with IBS because it heightens the sensitivity of nerve pain fibers which can result in pain even following recovery.  IBS tends to recur throughout a person’s lifetime and it can be debilitating.   While there is not currently a cure, peppermint has been known for years to ease the discomfort associated with IBS. 

Symptoms of IBS:

• Abdominal Pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Effective Management of IBS

Peppermint has been shown to effectively relieve the pain and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that individuals who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome experience.  Recent studies have indicated that it works by reducing the pain-sensing fibers located in the intestines which can be irritated by ingesting certain foods, including chili and mustard.

Due to the success researchers have found in treating IBS with peppermint, peppermint may be integrated into mainstream medicine as a treatment option.  The fact that health care practitioners are beginning to see peppermint as a viable option for treating this condition means that further breakthroughs for IBS sufferers could be just down the road.