Dear e-newsletter subscriber, You may be surprised when you hear some of the latest medical findings from Mayo Clinic — Being an optimist not only makes you happier, it may cut your risk for the common cold. Certain foods (I'll name them below) can help you lower your cholesterol. Hands-on therapies such as massage are now being used to treat common medical issues, including low back pain, while also reducing stress levels and improving your mood. Today, people are looking for more "natural" ways to not only manage and prevent illness but also improve their quality of life overall. Physicians are starting to integrate aspects of what was once seen as alternative medicine into conventional medical care to boost health and wellness. Thats why you are hearing the term "integrative medicine" more often. In this email, Ill share several effective and interesting complementary and alternative methods with you. Many of these steps are quite simple — even enjoyable — and can be integrated into your life with ease: Warm water can help reduce arthritis pain and stiffness. Studies show that people with arthritis who participate in a warm-water exercise program two or three times a week are often able to move more easily and experience significantly less pain. Meditation shows some benefit as a generally safe and relatively low-cost treatment for insomnia, stress, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions. Research suggests that ginseng may improve sexual function in men who have erectile dysfunction. Other evidence suggests that short-term use of ginseng may improve mental performance and produce few side effects when taken as directed. Deep breathing is an easy-to-learn, simple way to help manage the stress that causes neck pain. Heres yet more reasons to put down the remote and lace up your sneakers. Research shows that moderate aerobic exercise may help prevent the common cold and has a positive effect on the cells that keep your immune system going strong. Plant sterols can reduce LDL (or "bad") cholesterol. Sterols occur naturally in some oils, nuts and fruits. They may save you some money and can be as effective as statins; we recommend taking them under medical supervision. Saw palmetto is generally safe and can be an effective treatment for symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It may be used for chronic pelvic pain, bladder disorders, decreased sex drive and even prostate cancer. My role at Mayo Clinic focuses on the scientific evaluation of integrative medicine therapies, covering a broad range of conditions. I recently asked several of my medical colleagues from a variety of specialties to share their best alternative therapies for a new book weve just completed. It reveals details on every treatment Ive mentioned here, and dozens more that can transform your health — sometimes dramatically. Mayo Clinic Guide to Integrative Medicine shows how complementary and alternative therapies are being used alongside conventional medicine with great effect. It answers questions such as: Integrative versus alternative: Whats the difference? Page 13 What is mind-body medicine, and how can you benefit from it? Page 40 What makes positive thinking so important for health? Page 75 How does spinal manipulation help? When doesnt it help? Page 80 What makes massage effective? What conditions is it good for? Page 87 Multivitamins: Do you need one? Page 124 Is integrative medicine right for your condition? Page 148 More than a third of Americans are already using one or more of these practices as part of their health care. If your health and quality of life are not all that you want them to be, this may be your time to try integrative medicine. These therapies can dramatically boost your wellness — mind, body and spirit — and may even save you money in this era of rising medical care costs. Many exciting discoveries await you in this book. Order your copy today for only $29.95, and take advantage of this great resource. Sincerely, Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Medical Editor |
