2004 Dec. - Acupuncture & Arthritis Pain Relief
CBC TV News
Dr. Shawn Thistle demonstrates and discusses the benefits of medical acupuncture treatment for arthritis while working with SHAPE client Laura Cohen ...
Dec., 2004
Article which led to the CBC TV coverage:
Acupuncture works to relieve arthritis pain: study
Last Updated Tue, 21 Dec 2004 04:32:40 EST
CBC News TORONTO - Combining acupuncture with standard drug therapy can relieve pain and improve movement in people with arthritis of the knee, according to a new study.
"For the first time, a clinical trial with sufficient rigour, size, and duration has shown that acupuncture reduces the pain and functional impairment of osteoarthritis of the knee," said Dr. Stephen Straus in a release.
The results also suggest acupuncture can help improve quality of life for people with knee osteoarthritis, added Straus, a director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the U.S. government agency that funds medical research.
In the trial, Dr. Brian Berman of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and his colleagues studied 570 patients with an average age of 65 who had osteoarthritis of the knee.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments for 26 weeks, in addition to standard care such as anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers:
What sets the study apart from previous research is the extent of time the patients were followed, said Dr. Shawn Thistle, an acupuncture practitioner in Toronto.
Nevertheless, the study has its limitations. A sizeable number of patients dropped out over the 26 weeks, reducing the reliability of the results.
Also, the findings don't show acupuncture is better than other treatments or if it is more cost-effective than drugs. Since acupuncture is generally safe, researchers say the treatment deserves further study, given the recent news about the dangerous side-effects of some arthritis medications.
The use of sham acupuncture also controlled for the placebo effect, in which patients expect relief with no real treatment.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Common arthritic knee surgery no better than placebo: study
Last Updated Thu, 11 Jul 2002 10:56:42 EDT
CBC News HOUSTON, TEX. - Patients who have arthroscopic surgery for arthritis in their knees may feel better even though the surgery didn't help, a new study suggests.
A team of surgeons in Texas tested the procedure by performing the surgery on 180 patients with osteoarthritis in the knee. Two-thirds got two different types of the surgery.
But for a third, the surgeons faked it – they went through the motions of giving a tranquilizer, making three incisions and pretending to do the surgery.
All participants in the study had to sign their chart to show they understood they might receive the placebo surgery, which would not help their arthritic knee.
Most arthroscopic surgery on the knee is done to repair injured ligaments and cartilage, which doctors say is useful. The experiment was designed to see whether the surgery helped reduce pain and increase mobility in patients with an arthritic knee.
The researchers found patients who underwent the placebo surgery were just as likely to report pain relief as those who received the real procedure. It seems for osteoarthritis patients, the relief is all in patients' heads.
"I don't believe that arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee is any more beneficial than a placebo effect, and I don't recommend it," said Dr. Bruce Moseley, an orthopedics professor at Baylor College in Houston and one of the study's co-authors.
Former skier Todd Brooker of Collingwood, Ont., has had 13 knee surgeries for injuries and arthritis that developed after a fall in January 1987 that ended his skiing career.
"My doctor would go in through the scope and he would basically vacuum stuff out of there and clean up that whole area," Brooker said. He said it's hard to accept that he feels better because of the placebo effect.
Provincial health ministers will have to re-think paying for surgery.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Cameron of Toronto said the study provides the ammunition he needs to convince osteoarthritis patients that the procedure doesn't work. "If it isn't doing them any good, we shouldn't be doing it," said Cameron. "That's the message of this paper."
One of the study's investigators, Dr. Nelda Wray of the Houston VA Medical Center and Baylor College, said the study makes doctors question whether money spent on the procedures could be put to better use. Provincial governments will now have to determine if the procedure is just an expensive placebo.
The study appears in Thursday July 11, 2002 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Article which led to the CBC TV coverage:
Acupuncture works to relieve arthritis pain: study
Last Updated Tue, 21 Dec 2004 04:32:40 EST
CBC News TORONTO - Combining acupuncture with standard drug therapy can relieve pain and improve movement in people with arthritis of the knee, according to a new study.
"For the first time, a clinical trial with sufficient rigour, size, and duration has shown that acupuncture reduces the pain and functional impairment of osteoarthritis of the knee," said Dr. Stephen Straus in a release.
The results also suggest acupuncture can help improve quality of life for people with knee osteoarthritis, added Straus, a director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the U.S. government agency that funds medical research.
In the trial, Dr. Brian Berman of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and his colleagues studied 570 patients with an average age of 65 who had osteoarthritis of the knee.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments for 26 weeks, in addition to standard care such as anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers:
- Acupuncture – inserting thin needles into certain body points to stimulate improved health.
- Sham acupuncture – patients feel some sensation from a needle but it isn't actually inserted.
- A self-help course for managing pain.
What sets the study apart from previous research is the extent of time the patients were followed, said Dr. Shawn Thistle, an acupuncture practitioner in Toronto.
Nevertheless, the study has its limitations. A sizeable number of patients dropped out over the 26 weeks, reducing the reliability of the results.
Also, the findings don't show acupuncture is better than other treatments or if it is more cost-effective than drugs. Since acupuncture is generally safe, researchers say the treatment deserves further study, given the recent news about the dangerous side-effects of some arthritis medications.
The use of sham acupuncture also controlled for the placebo effect, in which patients expect relief with no real treatment.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Common arthritic knee surgery no better than placebo: study
Last Updated Thu, 11 Jul 2002 10:56:42 EDT
CBC News HOUSTON, TEX. - Patients who have arthroscopic surgery for arthritis in their knees may feel better even though the surgery didn't help, a new study suggests.
A team of surgeons in Texas tested the procedure by performing the surgery on 180 patients with osteoarthritis in the knee. Two-thirds got two different types of the surgery.
But for a third, the surgeons faked it – they went through the motions of giving a tranquilizer, making three incisions and pretending to do the surgery.
All participants in the study had to sign their chart to show they understood they might receive the placebo surgery, which would not help their arthritic knee.
Most arthroscopic surgery on the knee is done to repair injured ligaments and cartilage, which doctors say is useful. The experiment was designed to see whether the surgery helped reduce pain and increase mobility in patients with an arthritic knee.
The researchers found patients who underwent the placebo surgery were just as likely to report pain relief as those who received the real procedure. It seems for osteoarthritis patients, the relief is all in patients' heads.
"I don't believe that arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee is any more beneficial than a placebo effect, and I don't recommend it," said Dr. Bruce Moseley, an orthopedics professor at Baylor College in Houston and one of the study's co-authors.
Former skier Todd Brooker of Collingwood, Ont., has had 13 knee surgeries for injuries and arthritis that developed after a fall in January 1987 that ended his skiing career.
"My doctor would go in through the scope and he would basically vacuum stuff out of there and clean up that whole area," Brooker said. He said it's hard to accept that he feels better because of the placebo effect.
Provincial health ministers will have to re-think paying for surgery.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Cameron of Toronto said the study provides the ammunition he needs to convince osteoarthritis patients that the procedure doesn't work. "If it isn't doing them any good, we shouldn't be doing it," said Cameron. "That's the message of this paper."
One of the study's investigators, Dr. Nelda Wray of the Houston VA Medical Center and Baylor College, said the study makes doctors question whether money spent on the procedures could be put to better use. Provincial governments will now have to determine if the procedure is just an expensive placebo.
The study appears in Thursday July 11, 2002 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
I suffered from severe bilateral plantar fasciitis for over one year. In constant pain, I was barely able to walk or stand, and was considering surgery. The results of the Graston technique and active release therapy performed by Dr. Katie Au at SHAPE were life-altering. The efficacy of her technique is remarkable. Combined with a program of rehabilitation, altered weekly, my mobility has been restored and pain is gone. SHAPE Toronto has my hearty recommendation.
A. Phillips
A. Phillips
Sender,
Thank you and your team for the great session. I ran 16K this morning and felt great, in large part due to your help yesterday. Congratulations on your successful operation. You have a great team and a unique approach to integrated fitness and health.
Adam D.
Thank you and your team for the great session. I ran 16K this morning and felt great, in large part due to your help yesterday. Congratulations on your successful operation. You have a great team and a unique approach to integrated fitness and health.
Adam D.
I've never had a back treatment of such quality. I had the ankle sciatic sensation on the way home and a few times at dinner and a super mild sciatic feeling in my right calf on the way to work, but I feel way better! Thanks for taking such great care of me. I was holding my abs so much last night, my stomach was sore when I woke up this morning!
Catherine K.
Catherine K.
I live in Los Angeles and while visiting family in Toronto, I complained of upper-back and shoulder pain which had been ongoing for months. My Dad suggested I see a chiropractor. Luckily, his search led to Shawn. who provided immediate relief. You can't undo months of issues in one visit and a few adjustments, but it was the springboard I needed to get on the right track. I have been pain free since. He even went out of his way to find a doctor in the LA area.
Erik B.
Erik B.
The weekly yoga session with Dagmara is the highlight of our week. She is cheerful, positive, attentive and energetic. The session provides our bodies with flexibility, gives us physical and mental strength, and facilitates peace of mind, so we can endure life until we see her again!
Esther & Ben Geva
Esther & Ben Geva
I wanted to thank all of you for the amazing support I’ve received over the past few months since coming to SHAPE. I came with specific fitness goals and you exceeded my expectations on every level! I’ve never felt and looked better in my life, and of course. SHAPE is a wonderful environment and knowing you have massage therapists, chiropractors and nutritionists on hand helps make the experience complete.
Gillian S.
Gillian S.
Through years of sports and competitive dance, I've had numerous chronic injuries. I visited physiotherapists, massage therapists and acupuncturists, but not until SHAPE did I see a remarkable difference. It's almost unbelievable how accurately they made the diagnosis and performed appropriate treatments. I am thankful to be free of some of the pain I had for years. If there’s such thing as miracle workers, Shawn & Sender are it!. The fact that they follow up the next day with by phone or email speaks volumes!
Heather F.
Heather F.
Sender performed a miracle by alleviating chronic pain, lived with for several years. His ability to pinpoint the exact location of the muscles creating the pain and then use acupuncture and ART® treatments resulted in pain free living. What a joy! Now, it's only 32 hours after treatment so a few more days will tell the tale. Thank you,
Irene D.
Irene D.
I went to the gym and had a really GREAT work out yesterday. My back is a bit sore now but all is good, no problem, and you know what, this morning I feel like the 'HULK' because I can actually feel my muscles 'ripping and full of energy'. It feels MARVELOUS. Thanks Doc for a great treatment.
Respectfully
Jameson W.
Respectfully
Jameson W.
A week before my first race, my knees suddenly told me enough was enough! I could barely walk in the morning. I contacted SHAPE, and Shawn came to my rescue introducing me to ART®! Without you and your outstanding ability to alleviate pain, I may not have made it through my warm up on race day!!! You were genuinely concerned about my injury and determined to do whatever possible to make sure I was able to compete - you are my new HERO!
Jess H.
Jess H.
I have always had fantastic workouts at SHAPE, but I must say, my workouts with Adam continually challenge me and the results have been beyond expectation, in a very short period of time. I believe it important to give positive feedback when warranted.
Jessica B.
Jessica B.
Unlike most facilities, the whole you is treated by a complete team. My case is continually reviewed by Sender together with my MeDCAN physician, physiotherapist and kinesiologist. It is reassuring to know I am in the hands of such an involved team committed to providing excellence.
Joan M.
Joan M.
My support for SHAPE is due to the commitment of the great people. You have all become like family to me and I will shout from the roof tops how wonderful, not only the facility is, but how great you all are. I believe in the programs and how you work together for your clients.
Jodi C.
Jodi C.
I have been training with Khanh for over 2 years and my strength, balance and flexibility have all improved. Khanh seems to know exactly how hard to push me so that I get the most out of every session and still have fun. He is a very thoughtful trainer.
Joe
Joe
Sender,
Every time I ski down the hill and feel how strong my legs are and how great I feel, I am grateful for the day I met you. I am skiing better than I have ever skied. I feel like an athelete!!
Judy D.
Every time I ski down the hill and feel how strong my legs are and how great I feel, I am grateful for the day I met you. I am skiing better than I have ever skied. I feel like an athelete!!
Judy D.
