There is to be an anti-homeopathy demonstration outside several Boots stores on Saturday (30th January). They are trying to prove that homeopathic remedies don't do anything, regardless of how much you take. This blog is based on a press release I sent to all mainstream news media outlets on behalf of the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths today.
"Homeopathic remedies are safe to take. You cannot ‘overdose’ on them. The demonstration by a small group of anti-homeopathy skeptics, perhaps more accurately described as ‘homeopathy denialists’, will have proved this point quite conclusively.
It is a pity the denialists know so little about the system of medicine they seek to denigrate. Whilst understanding they speak for the Pharmaceutical Drugs industry, any homeopath could have told them that homeopathy works only when there is a close similarity between the symptoms of the patient’s illness, and the known therapeutics of a particular homeopathic remedy.
If there is no match there will be no reaction.
The real question that needs to be addressed is not the safety of homeopathy, but why homeopathy is such an effective medical therapy, and why so many people throughout the world, and for over two centuries now, have used it with such success.
There are numerous high quality scientific studies that clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of homeopathy. The challenge facing the bona- fide scientific community is to discover why homeopathy is so effective.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Reductil (Sibutramine) - another tested drug banned
The European Medicines Agency has suspended authorisation for this drug, Reductil (also known as Reduxade and Zelium) across the European Union. It is known as Meridia in the USA. The Agency now believe the risks of these drugs to be 'greater than the benefits'.
http://www.ema.europa.eu/pdfs/human/referral/sibutramine/3940810en.pdf.
The drugs have been widely used to treat obesity, and of course, highly profitable, but have been found to cause increased risk of serious, non-fatal cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart attack. The Agency also concluded that the benefits of the drug were 'modest', and were not maintained when patients stopped taking it.
The withdrawal of 'wonder drugs' is, of course, a regular event.
Patients searching for safe medicine, however, should notice that the mainstream media does not publish this. It rarely does. In fact, no-one tells us; not the government, the NHS, or our doctors. Patients have been, or will be advised to see their doctors privately - but the media's silence on these matters indicates not only that mainstream drugs are dangerous, but that we don't realise it, and the mainstream media sources are reluctant to inform their readers/viewers/listeners. We are to be left in ignorance rather than the media running the risk of upsetting a major source of advertising!
Also, if you go to the manufacturers website, http://www.reductil.co.uk/ukreductil.html, you will see that the news has not reached there either as yet! This is what the website still says
"UK Reductil slimming pills, have proved to be an effective prescription weight loss pill. Reductil just works to promote fast weight loss. More doctors prescribe Reductil in the UK then all the other weight loss pills combined".
Nor can I see, on a site offering to sell the drug, any mention of the DIEs (disease inducing effects; I refuse to call strokes and heart attacks side-effects) which have been known for many years.
Reductil, and its related drugs, were fully tested, and of course found to be both effective and safe for use. It was licensed in 1999. So much for the safeguards of 'science', at least the chequebook, 'junk' science the Pharmaceutical Companies use to promote their wares.
http://www.ema.europa.eu/pdfs/human/referral/sibutramine/3940810en.pdf.
The drugs have been widely used to treat obesity, and of course, highly profitable, but have been found to cause increased risk of serious, non-fatal cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart attack. The Agency also concluded that the benefits of the drug were 'modest', and were not maintained when patients stopped taking it.
The withdrawal of 'wonder drugs' is, of course, a regular event.
Patients searching for safe medicine, however, should notice that the mainstream media does not publish this. It rarely does. In fact, no-one tells us; not the government, the NHS, or our doctors. Patients have been, or will be advised to see their doctors privately - but the media's silence on these matters indicates not only that mainstream drugs are dangerous, but that we don't realise it, and the mainstream media sources are reluctant to inform their readers/viewers/listeners. We are to be left in ignorance rather than the media running the risk of upsetting a major source of advertising!
Also, if you go to the manufacturers website, http://www.reductil.co.uk/ukreductil.html, you will see that the news has not reached there either as yet! This is what the website still says
"UK Reductil slimming pills, have proved to be an effective prescription weight loss pill. Reductil just works to promote fast weight loss. More doctors prescribe Reductil in the UK then all the other weight loss pills combined".
Nor can I see, on a site offering to sell the drug, any mention of the DIEs (disease inducing effects; I refuse to call strokes and heart attacks side-effects) which have been known for many years.
Reductil, and its related drugs, were fully tested, and of course found to be both effective and safe for use. It was licensed in 1999. So much for the safeguards of 'science', at least the chequebook, 'junk' science the Pharmaceutical Companies use to promote their wares.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
The absurdity of the denialists
Readers of this blog will notice than whenever a posting is made, there are people responding whose sole intention is to rubbish homeopathy as a safe and effective medical therapy. We call them denialists. What they are doing has been described very effectively at the following website. Please take a look.
http://www.1023homeopathy.org.uk/1/post/2010/01/the-absurdity-of-the-denialists.html
http://www.1023homeopathy.org.uk/1/post/2010/01/the-absurdity-of-the-denialists.html
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Thomas Jefferson and Medical Tyranny
Given that the homeopathy denialists are determined to attack our safe and effective therapy at every opportunity, and the Conventional Medical Establishment seems intent on forcing their vaccines and drugs on us, these words by Thomas Jefferson are as true, if not truer today than when he spoke them.
"If the people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."
"If the people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."
Gout and Homeopathy
As this article states, homeopathy has a long and successful history of treating gout - safely and effectively. Anyone suffering from this painful condition should check out homeopathic treatment - so thanks to Natural News (a wonderful source of news on health not covered in the mainstream media) for publishing it.
http://www.NaturalNews.com/027957_gout_homeopathy.html
And more sensible advice can be found on the Dr Mercola site, who suggests many life-style strategies, and emphasises that drug treatment should be avoided.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/19/Five-Steps-to-Overcoming-Gout-Naturally.aspx
http://www.NaturalNews.com/027957_gout_homeopathy.html
And more sensible advice can be found on the Dr Mercola site, who suggests many life-style strategies, and emphasises that drug treatment should be avoided.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/19/Five-Steps-to-Overcoming-Gout-Naturally.aspx
Thursday, 14 January 2010
NICE Chair criticises RCTs
Sir Michael Rawlins has been chairman of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) since its inception in 1999. He has attacked traditional ways of assessing medical evidence, particularly for pharmaceutical drugs.
http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/press-releases/royal-college-physicians-sir-michael-rawlins-attacks-traditional-ways-assessing-evidence-$1245035$365674.htm
In particular, he is critical of Randomised Controlled Test (RCT's), for so long the main totem for homeopathy denialists, and the chief means of testing pharmaceutical drugs. Sir Michael outlines the limitations of RCTs in several key areas:
# Impossible - for treatments for very rare diseases where the number of patients is too limited.
# Unnecessary - when a treatment produces a "dramatic" benefit - imatinib (Glivec) for chronic myeloid leukaemia.
# Stopping trials early - interim analyses of trials are now commonly undertaken to assess whether the treatment is showing benefit and if the trial can be stopped early. Around 30% of recent trials in oncology have been stopped early for apparent benefit. Although the desire to stop trials early is understandable, the possibility that an interim analysis is a "random high" may be difficult to avoid - especially as there is no consensus among statisticians as to how best to handle this problem.
# Resources - the costs of RCTs are substantial in money, time and energy - a recent study of 153 trials completed in 2005 and 2006 showed a median cost of over £3 million and with one trial costing £95 million. One manufacturer has estimated that the average cost per patient increased from £6,300 in 2005 to £9,900 in 2007
# Generalisability - RCTs are often carried out on specific types of patients for a relatively short period of time, whereas in clinical practice the treatment will be used on a much greater variety of patients - often suffering from other medical conditions - and for much longer. There is a presumption that, in general, the benefits shown in an RCT can be extrapolated to a wide population; but there is abundant evidence to show that the harmfulness of an intervention is often missed in RCTs.
Far better, perhaps, to rely on a medical therapy like homeoopathy, with its long history of effective treatment, and safety.
http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/press-releases/royal-college-physicians-sir-michael-rawlins-attacks-traditional-ways-assessing-evidence-$1245035$365674.htm
In particular, he is critical of Randomised Controlled Test (RCT's), for so long the main totem for homeopathy denialists, and the chief means of testing pharmaceutical drugs. Sir Michael outlines the limitations of RCTs in several key areas:
# Impossible - for treatments for very rare diseases where the number of patients is too limited.
# Unnecessary - when a treatment produces a "dramatic" benefit - imatinib (Glivec) for chronic myeloid leukaemia.
# Stopping trials early - interim analyses of trials are now commonly undertaken to assess whether the treatment is showing benefit and if the trial can be stopped early. Around 30% of recent trials in oncology have been stopped early for apparent benefit. Although the desire to stop trials early is understandable, the possibility that an interim analysis is a "random high" may be difficult to avoid - especially as there is no consensus among statisticians as to how best to handle this problem.
# Resources - the costs of RCTs are substantial in money, time and energy - a recent study of 153 trials completed in 2005 and 2006 showed a median cost of over £3 million and with one trial costing £95 million. One manufacturer has estimated that the average cost per patient increased from £6,300 in 2005 to £9,900 in 2007
# Generalisability - RCTs are often carried out on specific types of patients for a relatively short period of time, whereas in clinical practice the treatment will be used on a much greater variety of patients - often suffering from other medical conditions - and for much longer. There is a presumption that, in general, the benefits shown in an RCT can be extrapolated to a wide population; but there is abundant evidence to show that the harmfulness of an intervention is often missed in RCTs.
Far better, perhaps, to rely on a medical therapy like homeoopathy, with its long history of effective treatment, and safety.
Mental Health and Homeopathy
Homeopathy is able to treat all forms of mental illness, safely, gently and effectively. So if you suffer from any of the following conditions you should consider a homeopathic consultation.
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Fears and phobias
• Issues arising from sexual or physical abuse
• OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder)
• Eating disorders, Bulimia, Anorexia, etc.
• Mood swings and bipolar disorder (once called manic depression)
• SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
• Suicidal feelings
• Schizophrenia
• Confusion or Dementia
Homeopathy and Depression
Homeopathy is very effective with depression, which seems to be so common now. It is not necessary either to suffer from, or to resort to taking conventional drugs, such as the Benzodiazepams (eg, Valium and Librium), or even the newer drugs, like Prosac, that are known to have dangerous side-effects.
Conventional drugs can give you a temporary lift from feelings of depression, but the ‘lift’ lasts only as long as the drug remains active within the body. In the longer term, nothing changes – the underlying social and emotional causes of your depression remain unchanged. Research on antidepressant drugs indicates that 40% of people who have tried them either do not respond to them, or they cannot tolerate the side effects. Moreover, many conventional drugs cannot be prescribed for too long as they have serious adverse reactions and addictive qualities.
Homeopathic remedies are not addictive, and they do not have the unpleasant side effects of conventional drugs. They are safe and harmless – but at the same time they are very effective. They can also be augmented with Bach Flower remedies, which developed in the early 20th Century - a closely related off-shoot of homeopathy.
So Why Choose Homeopathy?
1. It can provide deep, long-lasting change - without drugs
Homeopathy can produce positive results in people with psychiatric and mental health problems. A well-matched homeopathic remedy stimulates emotional healing and can transform a person’s life. Even those people who have been depressed for a long time can find renewed hope, develop brighter spirits, more energy, and improved physical health.
Homeopathy can help you to cope with the subconscious as well as the conscious mind. Old hurts, grief, anxieties, injustices, jealousies, and obsessions can be put in their proper perspective and released. Anxious people can find themselves calmer and less worried, their panic relieved.
2. It is safe and effective
Homeopathic medicine is one of the safest forms of medicine. It is natural, non-toxic, and non-addictive. Conventional drugs are chemical substances that have direct physiological and psychological effects, and these cause adverse reactions. Homeopathy is an ‘energy’ medicine. Remedies work by stimulating the body's own natural powers of recovery, and enabling it to restore balance and health.
Homeopathic remedies are made from substances that have been highly diluted. So even remedies made from poisonous substances are not harmful because the extreme dilution means that none of the original substance is left. What is left is the gentle energy of the substance that can cure – safely, gently and effectively.
Homeopathic prescribing matches a patient's detailed symptom profile with a remedy that has a similar profile. Therefore, the key to the homeopathic approach to mental health is to find the remedy that corresponds most closely to the individual’s mental and physical symptoms.
When this is achieved, homeopathy can lift depression and mental illnesses quickly and effectively. But an accurate matching with a remedy is required, so an appointment with a registered homeopath is recommended.
More serious, longer-term mental illness can also be treated, but again, it is best to consult with a registered homeopath who is prepared to work closely with the conventional medical authorities.
For more information on the homeopathic treatment of mental illness, go to this website.
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Fears and phobias
• Issues arising from sexual or physical abuse
• OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder)
• Eating disorders, Bulimia, Anorexia, etc.
• Mood swings and bipolar disorder (once called manic depression)
• SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
• Suicidal feelings
• Schizophrenia
• Confusion or Dementia
Homeopathy and Depression
Homeopathy is very effective with depression, which seems to be so common now. It is not necessary either to suffer from, or to resort to taking conventional drugs, such as the Benzodiazepams (eg, Valium and Librium), or even the newer drugs, like Prosac, that are known to have dangerous side-effects.
Conventional drugs can give you a temporary lift from feelings of depression, but the ‘lift’ lasts only as long as the drug remains active within the body. In the longer term, nothing changes – the underlying social and emotional causes of your depression remain unchanged. Research on antidepressant drugs indicates that 40% of people who have tried them either do not respond to them, or they cannot tolerate the side effects. Moreover, many conventional drugs cannot be prescribed for too long as they have serious adverse reactions and addictive qualities.
Homeopathic remedies are not addictive, and they do not have the unpleasant side effects of conventional drugs. They are safe and harmless – but at the same time they are very effective. They can also be augmented with Bach Flower remedies, which developed in the early 20th Century - a closely related off-shoot of homeopathy.
So Why Choose Homeopathy?
1. It can provide deep, long-lasting change - without drugs
Homeopathy can produce positive results in people with psychiatric and mental health problems. A well-matched homeopathic remedy stimulates emotional healing and can transform a person’s life. Even those people who have been depressed for a long time can find renewed hope, develop brighter spirits, more energy, and improved physical health.
Homeopathy can help you to cope with the subconscious as well as the conscious mind. Old hurts, grief, anxieties, injustices, jealousies, and obsessions can be put in their proper perspective and released. Anxious people can find themselves calmer and less worried, their panic relieved.
2. It is safe and effective
Homeopathic medicine is one of the safest forms of medicine. It is natural, non-toxic, and non-addictive. Conventional drugs are chemical substances that have direct physiological and psychological effects, and these cause adverse reactions. Homeopathy is an ‘energy’ medicine. Remedies work by stimulating the body's own natural powers of recovery, and enabling it to restore balance and health.
Homeopathic remedies are made from substances that have been highly diluted. So even remedies made from poisonous substances are not harmful because the extreme dilution means that none of the original substance is left. What is left is the gentle energy of the substance that can cure – safely, gently and effectively.
Homeopathic prescribing matches a patient's detailed symptom profile with a remedy that has a similar profile. Therefore, the key to the homeopathic approach to mental health is to find the remedy that corresponds most closely to the individual’s mental and physical symptoms.
When this is achieved, homeopathy can lift depression and mental illnesses quickly and effectively. But an accurate matching with a remedy is required, so an appointment with a registered homeopath is recommended.
More serious, longer-term mental illness can also be treated, but again, it is best to consult with a registered homeopath who is prepared to work closely with the conventional medical authorities.
For more information on the homeopathic treatment of mental illness, go to this website.
Death by Medicine?
"Something is wrong when regulatory agencies pretend that vitamins are dangerous, yet ignore published statistics showing that government-sanctioned medicine is the real hazard".
This is very true. But just how bad is the regulatory system that oversees Conventional Medicine, and the pseudo science it purports to use?
The website 'Life Extension' have reported that "a group of researchers meticulously reviewed the statistical evidence and their findings are absolutely shocking". They have authored a paper entitled “Death by Medicine” that presents compelling evidence that Conventional Medicine, and it's regulatory system, frequently cause more harm than good.
For anyone interested in choosing a safe form of medicine to treat illness, this research is an essential read, and can be found at.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/mar2004_awsi_death_01.htm
Conventional Medicine is an inherently dangerous form of medicine; that is, it is dangerous because of what it is, and what it is trying to do. In contrast, homeopathy is inherently safe; that is, it works without having to resort to toxic drugs. Homeopathic remedies are safe because they cannot do any harm.
The denialists will then ask, but do they work? If homeopathy did not work it would have died out 200 years ago. And at least if sick people want to try homeopathy, then at least they cannot harm themselves doing so!
This is very true. But just how bad is the regulatory system that oversees Conventional Medicine, and the pseudo science it purports to use?
The website 'Life Extension' have reported that "a group of researchers meticulously reviewed the statistical evidence and their findings are absolutely shocking". They have authored a paper entitled “Death by Medicine” that presents compelling evidence that Conventional Medicine, and it's regulatory system, frequently cause more harm than good.
For anyone interested in choosing a safe form of medicine to treat illness, this research is an essential read, and can be found at.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/mar2004_awsi_death_01.htm
Conventional Medicine is an inherently dangerous form of medicine; that is, it is dangerous because of what it is, and what it is trying to do. In contrast, homeopathy is inherently safe; that is, it works without having to resort to toxic drugs. Homeopathic remedies are safe because they cannot do any harm.
The denialists will then ask, but do they work? If homeopathy did not work it would have died out 200 years ago. And at least if sick people want to try homeopathy, then at least they cannot harm themselves doing so!
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
The dangers of antidepressants
Antidepressant drugs are having a bad time at the moment, deservedly so. For so long sold to us as 'happy pills', nothing less than a medical triumph, their true nature is beginning to emerge, even in the mainstream media!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1242502/Hooked-happy-pills-Internal-bleeding-Strokes-Birth-defects-The-long-term-effects-antidepressants-terrifying.html#ixzz0cOE9WeRU
It is terrifying how over recent decades we have been told that modern conventional medicine is effective and safe, when its main drugs, after all the scientific testing they are supposed to go through, are found to be as dangerous as this.
For more information about antidepressants click on this link.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1242502/Hooked-happy-pills-Internal-bleeding-Strokes-Birth-defects-The-long-term-effects-antidepressants-terrifying.html#ixzz0cOE9WeRU
It is terrifying how over recent decades we have been told that modern conventional medicine is effective and safe, when its main drugs, after all the scientific testing they are supposed to go through, are found to be as dangerous as this.
For more information about antidepressants click on this link.
Fury at vaccine scandal
The Daily Express has today published this article. It is worth reading, if you were in any doubt about the dangers of vaccinations.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/150804/Fury-at-vaccine-scandal
Remember, however, that whilst this information is coming to the surface, the government, and the NHS, are in the middle of a multi-£million advertising campaign to convince us to let our children be vaccinated with the swine flu vaccine - even though some 50-60% of doctors and nurses are apparently refusing it because of fears about its safety.
What price honesty?
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/150804/Fury-at-vaccine-scandal
Remember, however, that whilst this information is coming to the surface, the government, and the NHS, are in the middle of a multi-£million advertising campaign to convince us to let our children be vaccinated with the swine flu vaccine - even though some 50-60% of doctors and nurses are apparently refusing it because of fears about its safety.
What price honesty?
Friday, 8 January 2010
Alliance Boots now under attack by the Denialists
The homeopathy denialists, through their new 10:23 campaign are attacking homeopathy again, now by attacking Boots - for selling homeopathic remedies! I have sent the following email to Stefano Pessina, CEO of Boots (The email address is stefano.pessina@allianceboots.com). I urge all homeopathy supporters to write a similar letter demonstrating why their is a demand for homeopathic remedies to remain on sale.
"A democratic society is based upon the premise of freedom of expression and equality. The UK is a democratic society and seeks to allow it's citizens the freedom and choice, one of the most of which concerns our healthcare.
Homeopathy is an extremely popular and effective choice of treatment that approximately 10 million people in the UK have used. It is a treatment that has
been proven to work for over 200 years in the treatment of disease, and there are much scientific research that now confirms that it is more effective than placebo.
Unfortunately in the UK there is a movement to suppress people's freedom of choice to healthcare. They call themselves "sceptics", and they want to see the end of homeopathic medicine in the UK. Although homeopathy has been observed many times to have a strong therapeutic effect, the way it works is not completely understood by science.
Alliance Boots provide a great service to their customers in that by stocking homeopathic remedies they enable them to exercise the freedom of choose that so many people want. Boots customers have the choice to purchase conventional pharmaceutical medicines, or homeopathic medicines. There are very few multi-national companies that allow their patients such wide choice, and Alliance Boots need to be commended for doing that.
I am sure you are aware of a recent online letter produced by a group known as the 10:23 campaign. They are asking for Alliance Boots to stop selling homeopathic remedies. I urge Alliance Boots to continue to provide their customers with homeopathic remedies, customers who know that they work, and for this reason, there is huge demand in the UK for them. In an open, democratic society we should all allow people access the the medicine of their choice.
#ten23
"A democratic society is based upon the premise of freedom of expression and equality. The UK is a democratic society and seeks to allow it's citizens the freedom and choice, one of the most of which concerns our healthcare.
Homeopathy is an extremely popular and effective choice of treatment that approximately 10 million people in the UK have used. It is a treatment that has
been proven to work for over 200 years in the treatment of disease, and there are much scientific research that now confirms that it is more effective than placebo.
Unfortunately in the UK there is a movement to suppress people's freedom of choice to healthcare. They call themselves "sceptics", and they want to see the end of homeopathic medicine in the UK. Although homeopathy has been observed many times to have a strong therapeutic effect, the way it works is not completely understood by science.
Alliance Boots provide a great service to their customers in that by stocking homeopathic remedies they enable them to exercise the freedom of choose that so many people want. Boots customers have the choice to purchase conventional pharmaceutical medicines, or homeopathic medicines. There are very few multi-national companies that allow their patients such wide choice, and Alliance Boots need to be commended for doing that.
I am sure you are aware of a recent online letter produced by a group known as the 10:23 campaign. They are asking for Alliance Boots to stop selling homeopathic remedies. I urge Alliance Boots to continue to provide their customers with homeopathic remedies, customers who know that they work, and for this reason, there is huge demand in the UK for them. In an open, democratic society we should all allow people access the the medicine of their choice.
#ten23
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Arthritis. Homeopathic Treatment
Arthritis is caused by a variety of factors, and the individual’s immune system will try to fight it, and heal itself. However, when arthritis becomes a chronic condition, it will be unable to do so.
Conventional medicine has little to offer arthritis sufferers other than temporary pain relief that does not get to the cause of the pain. As a result, patients will find that they are taking ever-stronger pain killers, and suffering all the attendant side-effects of long-term drugs.
Indeed, Conventional Medical drugs may well be a major contributing cause of the epidemic levels of arthritis we are now suffering
Homeopathy, in contrast, seeks to aid the body’s own defences and to stimulate a person's own healing abilities, and this more natural approach can be very effective. It can be helpful in relieving the pain and stiffness associated with the condition, and has more to offer in terms of long-term treatment. Nor are we so concerned with the many types of arthritis and rheumatism that are diagnosed now, like osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid –arthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia and so on. In homeopathy we focus on individual symptoms, which vary greatly, rather than a named or diagnosed condition
There are several homeopathic remedies that can treat arthritis effectively, and some of these are listed below. Self-treatment is possible, and there are some ‘broad formula’ products for arthritis (available at stores like Boots and Holland and Barratts). But these are generally effective only for treating acute bouts of pain rather than the underlying cause of the disease.
But with such a difficult disease, professional homeopathic treatment is required if you are looking for deeper, longer-lasting relief from the pain.
Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruising and soreness. The painful parts feel worse from being moved or touched. (Herbal Arnica gels and ointments may also help to soothe arthritic pain when applied externally to areas of inflammation and soreness)
Aurum met: Wandering pains in the muscles and joints that are better from motion and warmth, and worse at night. Deep pain may be felt in the limbs when the person tries to sleep, or discomfort may wake the person up. People who need this remedy are often serious and focused on work or career, with a tendency to feel depressed.
Bryonia: This remedy can be helpful for stiffness and inflammation with tearing or throbbing pain, made worse by even the smallest motion. The condition may have developed gradually, and is worse in cold dry weather. Discomfort is aggravated by being touched or bumped, or from any movement. Pressure brings relief (if it stabilises the area) and improvement also comes from rest. The person may want to move, but has to stay completely still and not be interfered with.
Calcarea carbonica: This remedy may be useful for deeply aching arthritis involving node formation around the joints. Inflammation and soreness are worse from cold and dampness, and problems may be focused on the knees and hands. Weakness in the muscles, easy fatigue from exertion, and a feeling of chilliness or sluggishness are common. A person who needs Calcarea is often solid and responsible, but tends to become extremely anxious and overwhelmed when ill or overworked.
Causticum: This remedy may be indicated when deformities develop in the joints, in a person with a tendency toward tendon problems, muscle weakness, and contractures. The hands and fingers may be most affected, although other joints can also be involved. Stiffness and pain are worse from being cold, and relief may come with warmth. A person who needs this remedy often feels best in rainy weather and worse when the days are clear and dry.
Calcarea fluorica: This remedy is often indicated when arthritic pains improve with heat and motion. Joints become enlarged and hard, and nodes or deformities develop. Arthritis after chronic injury to joints also responds to Calcarea fluorica.
Dulcamara: If arthritis flares up during cold damp weather, or after the person gets chilled and wet, this remedy may be indicated. People needing Dulcamara are often stout, with a tendency toward back pain, chronic stiffness in the muscles, and allergies.
Kali bich: When this remedy is indicated, arthritic pains may alternate with asthma or stomach symptoms. Pains may suddenly come and go, or shift around. Discomfort and inflammation are aggravated by heat, and worse when the weather is warm.
Kali carb: Arthritis with great stiffness and stitching pains, worse in the early morning hours and worse from cold and dampness, may respond to this remedy—especially if joints are becoming thickened or deformed. People who need this remedy often have a rigid moral code, and tend to feel anxiety in the stomach.
Kalmia: Intense arthritic pain that flares up suddenly may responds to this remedy—especially when problems start in higher joints and extend to lower ones. Pain and inflammation may begin in the elbows, spreading downward to the wrists and hands. Discomfort is worse from motion and often worse at night.
Ledum: Arthritis that starts in lower joints and extends to higher ones may respond to this remedy. Pain and inflammation often begin in the toes and spread upward to the ankles and knees. The joints may also make cracking sounds. Ledum is strongly indicated when swelling is significant and relieved by cold applications.
Pulsatilla: If the arthritis pain is changeable in quality, or flare-ups move from place to place, and gentle motions relieves the pain, this remedy may be useful. The symptoms (and the person) feel worse from warmth, and better from fresh air and cold applications. People who need this remedy usually are emotional and affectionate, sometimes having tearful moods.
Rhododendron: This remedy is strongly indicated if swelling and soreness flare up before a storm, and continues until the weather clears. Cold and dampness aggravate the symptoms. Discomfort is often worse toward early morning, or after staying still too long. The person feels better from warmth and gentle motion, and also after eating.
Rhus tox: arthritis, with pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning and worse on first motion, but better from continued movement, may be helped with this remedy. Hot baths or showers, and warm applications improve the stiffness and relieve the pain. The condition is worse in cold, wet weather. The person may feel extremely restless, unable to find a comfortable position, and need to keep moving constantly. Continued motion also helps to relieve anxiety.
Ruta grav: arthritis with a feeling of great stiffness and lameness, worse from cold and damp and worse from exertion, may be helped with this remedy. Tendons and capsules of the joints can be deeply affected or damaged. The arthritis may have developed after overuse, or from repeated wear and tear.
For a detailed comparison of the Homeopathic and Conventional treatment of Arthritis, click here.
Conventional medicine has little to offer arthritis sufferers other than temporary pain relief that does not get to the cause of the pain. As a result, patients will find that they are taking ever-stronger pain killers, and suffering all the attendant side-effects of long-term drugs.
Indeed, Conventional Medical drugs may well be a major contributing cause of the epidemic levels of arthritis we are now suffering
Homeopathy, in contrast, seeks to aid the body’s own defences and to stimulate a person's own healing abilities, and this more natural approach can be very effective. It can be helpful in relieving the pain and stiffness associated with the condition, and has more to offer in terms of long-term treatment. Nor are we so concerned with the many types of arthritis and rheumatism that are diagnosed now, like osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid –arthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia and so on. In homeopathy we focus on individual symptoms, which vary greatly, rather than a named or diagnosed condition
There are several homeopathic remedies that can treat arthritis effectively, and some of these are listed below. Self-treatment is possible, and there are some ‘broad formula’ products for arthritis (available at stores like Boots and Holland and Barratts). But these are generally effective only for treating acute bouts of pain rather than the underlying cause of the disease.
But with such a difficult disease, professional homeopathic treatment is required if you are looking for deeper, longer-lasting relief from the pain.
Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruising and soreness. The painful parts feel worse from being moved or touched. (Herbal Arnica gels and ointments may also help to soothe arthritic pain when applied externally to areas of inflammation and soreness)
Aurum met: Wandering pains in the muscles and joints that are better from motion and warmth, and worse at night. Deep pain may be felt in the limbs when the person tries to sleep, or discomfort may wake the person up. People who need this remedy are often serious and focused on work or career, with a tendency to feel depressed.
Bryonia: This remedy can be helpful for stiffness and inflammation with tearing or throbbing pain, made worse by even the smallest motion. The condition may have developed gradually, and is worse in cold dry weather. Discomfort is aggravated by being touched or bumped, or from any movement. Pressure brings relief (if it stabilises the area) and improvement also comes from rest. The person may want to move, but has to stay completely still and not be interfered with.
Calcarea carbonica: This remedy may be useful for deeply aching arthritis involving node formation around the joints. Inflammation and soreness are worse from cold and dampness, and problems may be focused on the knees and hands. Weakness in the muscles, easy fatigue from exertion, and a feeling of chilliness or sluggishness are common. A person who needs Calcarea is often solid and responsible, but tends to become extremely anxious and overwhelmed when ill or overworked.
Causticum: This remedy may be indicated when deformities develop in the joints, in a person with a tendency toward tendon problems, muscle weakness, and contractures. The hands and fingers may be most affected, although other joints can also be involved. Stiffness and pain are worse from being cold, and relief may come with warmth. A person who needs this remedy often feels best in rainy weather and worse when the days are clear and dry.
Calcarea fluorica: This remedy is often indicated when arthritic pains improve with heat and motion. Joints become enlarged and hard, and nodes or deformities develop. Arthritis after chronic injury to joints also responds to Calcarea fluorica.
Dulcamara: If arthritis flares up during cold damp weather, or after the person gets chilled and wet, this remedy may be indicated. People needing Dulcamara are often stout, with a tendency toward back pain, chronic stiffness in the muscles, and allergies.
Kali bich: When this remedy is indicated, arthritic pains may alternate with asthma or stomach symptoms. Pains may suddenly come and go, or shift around. Discomfort and inflammation are aggravated by heat, and worse when the weather is warm.
Kali carb: Arthritis with great stiffness and stitching pains, worse in the early morning hours and worse from cold and dampness, may respond to this remedy—especially if joints are becoming thickened or deformed. People who need this remedy often have a rigid moral code, and tend to feel anxiety in the stomach.
Kalmia: Intense arthritic pain that flares up suddenly may responds to this remedy—especially when problems start in higher joints and extend to lower ones. Pain and inflammation may begin in the elbows, spreading downward to the wrists and hands. Discomfort is worse from motion and often worse at night.
Ledum: Arthritis that starts in lower joints and extends to higher ones may respond to this remedy. Pain and inflammation often begin in the toes and spread upward to the ankles and knees. The joints may also make cracking sounds. Ledum is strongly indicated when swelling is significant and relieved by cold applications.
Pulsatilla: If the arthritis pain is changeable in quality, or flare-ups move from place to place, and gentle motions relieves the pain, this remedy may be useful. The symptoms (and the person) feel worse from warmth, and better from fresh air and cold applications. People who need this remedy usually are emotional and affectionate, sometimes having tearful moods.
Rhododendron: This remedy is strongly indicated if swelling and soreness flare up before a storm, and continues until the weather clears. Cold and dampness aggravate the symptoms. Discomfort is often worse toward early morning, or after staying still too long. The person feels better from warmth and gentle motion, and also after eating.
Rhus tox: arthritis, with pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning and worse on first motion, but better from continued movement, may be helped with this remedy. Hot baths or showers, and warm applications improve the stiffness and relieve the pain. The condition is worse in cold, wet weather. The person may feel extremely restless, unable to find a comfortable position, and need to keep moving constantly. Continued motion also helps to relieve anxiety.
Ruta grav: arthritis with a feeling of great stiffness and lameness, worse from cold and damp and worse from exertion, may be helped with this remedy. Tendons and capsules of the joints can be deeply affected or damaged. The arthritis may have developed after overuse, or from repeated wear and tear.
For a detailed comparison of the Homeopathic and Conventional treatment of Arthritis, click here.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Why is Homeopathy under attack?
There is a new attack on homeopathy on the way. This is nothing new, perhaps, but it does raise the question 'Why?'.
The answer is relatively simple. So-called 'Quackbusters', and organisations like 'Sense about Science' speak for so-called 'scientific' medicine, based on Pharmaceutical drugs. They support hugely powerful vested interests, and they do so in the name of 'science'.
However, how scientific are they? Let us use an analogy to describe what they do. It is well known in the game of cricket that bowlers can get the cricket ball to 'swing' after it is bowled. Every cricketer knows this.
Good swing bowlers have learnt how to swing the ball, both ways, and use the technique to get batsmen out. A bad swing bowler would be someone who observed the swing, but stated that there was no scientific evidence to suggest why this should happen, and refuses to believe it could happen.
Good batsmen know that swing bowlers can swing the ball, and take this into account when playing the ball. A bad batsman would know that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the ball will swing, and does not allow for it.
In a similar way, a good scientist is someone who observes the world, notices that for over 200 years people have got better after homeopathic treatment, and seeks to explain why this should be. A bad scientist, the denialists, like those in Sense and Science, just dismisses the evidence before their eyes.
Science, say the denialists, has no explanation that suggests homeopathy can work; therefore it cannot work, and does not work. Homeopathy is no more than placebo (even when animals are treated). Anyone who says that homeopathy has has worked for them are dismissed as deluded, or mad, or both.
Even when these denialists are presented with scientific evidence (and there is plenty of it), they dismiss it as 'inadequate' in some way. They ignore it. And they continue to repeat, ad nauseum - homeopathy does not work, because it cannot work.
Just ask the question. What if Newton, or Galileo, or Einstein had said this? We would have much less understanding of our world today. Good, perhaps, for the Pharmaceutical companies; bad for patients.
The answer is relatively simple. So-called 'Quackbusters', and organisations like 'Sense about Science' speak for so-called 'scientific' medicine, based on Pharmaceutical drugs. They support hugely powerful vested interests, and they do so in the name of 'science'.
However, how scientific are they? Let us use an analogy to describe what they do. It is well known in the game of cricket that bowlers can get the cricket ball to 'swing' after it is bowled. Every cricketer knows this.
Good swing bowlers have learnt how to swing the ball, both ways, and use the technique to get batsmen out. A bad swing bowler would be someone who observed the swing, but stated that there was no scientific evidence to suggest why this should happen, and refuses to believe it could happen.
Good batsmen know that swing bowlers can swing the ball, and take this into account when playing the ball. A bad batsman would know that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the ball will swing, and does not allow for it.
In a similar way, a good scientist is someone who observes the world, notices that for over 200 years people have got better after homeopathic treatment, and seeks to explain why this should be. A bad scientist, the denialists, like those in Sense and Science, just dismisses the evidence before their eyes.
Science, say the denialists, has no explanation that suggests homeopathy can work; therefore it cannot work, and does not work. Homeopathy is no more than placebo (even when animals are treated). Anyone who says that homeopathy has has worked for them are dismissed as deluded, or mad, or both.
Even when these denialists are presented with scientific evidence (and there is plenty of it), they dismiss it as 'inadequate' in some way. They ignore it. And they continue to repeat, ad nauseum - homeopathy does not work, because it cannot work.
Just ask the question. What if Newton, or Galileo, or Einstein had said this? We would have much less understanding of our world today. Good, perhaps, for the Pharmaceutical companies; bad for patients.
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