Saturday News

Contents of This Week Saturday News - September 19th / 2015

• Definition: Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is any practice that is perceived by its users to have the healing effects of medicine, but does not originate from evidence gathered using the scientific method, is not part of biomedicine, or is contradicted by scientific evidence or established science. It consists of a wide range of health care practices, products and therapies, ranging from being biologically plausible but not well tested, to being directly contradicted by evidence and science, or even harmful or toxic. Examples include new and traditional medicine practices such as homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic, energy medicine, various forms of acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and Christian faith healing. A longer definition comes from Wikipedia.

• Video: Alternative Medicine

         -- The Truth About Alternative Medicine - TAM 2012
         -- Alternative Therapies - Meditation 3 of 6 - BBC Health Documentary
         -- Alternative Therapies - Meditation 6 of 6 - BBC Health Documentary
         -- Tai Chi and Qi Gong: Tai Chi [Part 4 of 5]
         -- Dr. Khalsa of Harvard Medical School on the Science Behind Yoga
         -- Acupuncture & Health : Acupuncture for Stroke Recovery
         -- Brainiacs: Motor Recovery After Stroke in Mice and Men
         -- Wii-Based Movement Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation
         -- Wii-Hab - Mayo Clinic
         -- Kevin Sorbo on Stroke Symptoms and Alternative Medicine
         -- The Medical Model vs. Holistic Medicine (Common Sense Medicine)

• Headline Blog: Alternative Medicine
• On The Whole
• Neuroaid: Partial Truth and Petty Theft
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Tackling Fatigue
• Assembling the "A Team"
• Natural Healer - How Dr Wu Rid Himself of Cancer With a Vegetarian Diet

• Eclectic Stuff: Many articles from many Guest Bloggers about Stroke
• One Good Thing Leads to Another
• Letter from Speech Path. Colleague Now Using Teaching of Talking Method
• Cold is Not Cool - but Winter is Coming...
• Breakfast Egg Muffins
• The Universe Provides
• OT Fails with Stroke Survivors in Care-Homes

• Weekly Columnists
• Musing: The 'Brain-Enhancing' Drugs That Are Sweeping Silicon Valley
• Stroke Survival Sunday: Voodoo Medicine
• Caregiver: Bob Radio
• Tadpole Update: Reported to September 18th
• Jester: News Reporting
• TED Talks - Leana Wen: What Your Doctor Won’t Disclose
• Rick Mercer Report: Feist
• Laid-Back Admin: No Posts This Week

• Daily Comics: For Better Or For Worse, Dilbert, Mayes, Doonesbury

• Future Topics in SSTattler

Saturday News | Future Topic
--------------+------------------------------ 
Oct/17/2015   | Robotics for Stroke Survivors
Oct/10/2015   | Power Nap
Oct/03/2015   | Neuronal Death
Sep/26/2015   | Agraphia

Definition Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine From Wikipedia,

         the free encyclopedia

Acupuncture involves insertion of needles in the body.

Alternative medicine is any practice that is perceived by its users to have the healing effects of medicine, but does not originate from evidence gathered using the scientific method, is not part of biomedicine, or is contradicted by scientific evidence or established science. It consists of a wide range of health care practices, products and therapies, ranging from being biologically plausible but not well tested, to being directly contradicted by evidence and science, or even harmful or toxic. Examples include new and traditional medicine practices such as homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic, energy medicine, various forms of acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and Christian faith healing. The treatments are those that are not part of the science-based healthcare system, and are not clearly backed by scientific evidence. Despite significant expenditures on testing alternative medicine, including $2.5 billion spent by the United States government, almost none have shown any effectiveness greater than that of false treatments (placebo), and alternative medicine has been criticized by prominent figures in science and medicine as being quackery, nonsense, fraudulent, or unethical.

Complementary medicine is alternative medicine used together with conventional medical treatment in a belief, not established using the scientific method, that it "complements" (improves the efficacy of) the treatment. CAM is the abbreviation for complementary and alternative medicine. Integrative medicine (or integrative health) is the combination of the practices and methods of alternative medicine with conventional medicine.

Alternative medical diagnoses and treatments are not included as science-based treatments that are taught in medical schools, and are not used in medical practice where treatments are based on what is established using the scientific method. Alternative therapies lack such scientific validation, and their effectiveness is either unproved or disproved. Alternative medicine is usually based on religion, tradition, superstition, belief in supernatural energies, pseudoscience, errors in reasoning, propaganda, or fraud. Regulation and licensing of alternative medicine and health care providers varies from country to country, and state to state.

The scientific community has criticized alternative medicine as being based on misleading statements, quackery, pseudoscience, antiscience, fraud, or poor scientific methodology. Promoting alternative medicine has been called dangerous and unethical. Testing alternative medicine has been called a waste of scarce medical research resources. Critics have said "there is really no such thing as alternative medicine, just medicine that works and medicine that doesn't", and "Can there be any reasonable 'alternative' [to medicine based on evidence]?"

Types of Alternative Medicine

Video: Alternative Medicine

The Truth About Alternative Medicine - TAM 2012

Published on Aug 23, 2012

SSTattler: Excellent talk/discussion, takes 1hr - "Expert doctors... discuss so-called 'alternative' medicine (CAM)." I'm sure they are correct but still many people, myself, Guest Bloggers, and stroke survivors into/was alternative' medicine - mediation, tai chi, yoga, acupuncture, video games,... !

Expert doctors Steven Novella, Harriet Hall, David Gorski, and Rachel Dunlop discuss so-called "alternative" medicine. What kinds of treatments does that term include? Are these treatments effective or even ethical? How can practitioners be held accountable for the services they provide? Plus, questions from the live audience at TAM 2012.

Standard YouTube License @ JamesRandiFoundation

Headline Blog: Alternative Medicine

Definition: Blog (noun). Add new material to or regularly update to a blog. (≃1990s: blog shortening of weblog)

On The Whole

Pamela Hsieh
Rehab Revolution

11 June 2010

I recently picked up a new book called Best Remedies. It is a reference book that teaches integrative medicine, which in my opinion describes exactly what I've been talking about this entire time: the importance of allowing your body to heal itself, by incorporating techniques that address all parts of what makes up a healthy body: the physical body itself, the mind, and the spirit.

It's not that I'm going to read it cover to cover, because besides its first chapters explaining the philosophy of integrative medicine and its benefits, it is predominantly a reference book for remedies, like yoga for anxiety and depression, or tea bags for itchy eyes. But I've been reading these introductions carefully and trying to see it from a point of view that is not my own. I objectively do not so far see anything to discount or discard, and so I recommend picking up a copy if you want to give holistic healing a try and see why "[traditional and alternative medicine] don't conflict at all . . . and combine like yin and yang, two sides of the healing process that together are much stronger than either one alone" (p. 14).

You may wonder why any of this would matter in our healing journey. It's both insultingly easy and inexplicably complex for me to attempt to expound upon, but I will at least try. Of course, though, if you disagree or have an opinion to share, please e-mail me or leave a comment, as I really would like this site to become an open forum, a community of people with a common goal, to share what they think.

Neuroaid: Partial Truth and Petty Theft

Peter G. Levine
Stronger After Stroke

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Click here to find the extent of the scam.

Amendment: August 12, 2013: A well run clinical trial using 1000+ participants showed neuroaid "...is statistically no better than placebo in improving outcomes." Find the results here. (Thank you Ali Hussain Ali).

From April 16, 2011:

Bottom line

• Neuroaid is a drug that is made from traditional Chinese herbs.
• Cost: $1,346
• Effectiveness: The company says it works. The research disagrees.

Neuroaid has long been an easy joke among neurologists, psychiatrists and researchers. Here is an actual email:

Colleagues:

It looks like millions of lives will be restored. How absent minded of me to tell patients that there is no “magic bullet” for all of these years…and shame on you therapists and physicians for not giving the below to your patients. Thank goodness for Neuroaid.

I really had no opinion about it because on the face the claims seemed dubious so I never took the time to unpack the research.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Amy Shissler
MyCerebellarStrokeRecovery

July 29, 2012

There is this thought in alternative medicine that doctors don’t want you to get better because then they wouldn’t make any money.  Well, I don’t think that’s quite true.  I really don’t think that any medical doctor is consciously trying to keep you sick.  I think they would prefer that you got better.  As a physical therapist, I was considered part of “western medicine.”  I genuinely wanted my patients to feel better, maybe too much.  There is something to be said though that if no one ever got injured and needed therapy no one would come see me and I would’ve been out of a job.  I always used to say if everyone in the world had perfect posture I’d be out of a job.  Not true, of course.  :-) :-)  Well, last year I got really sick.  I almost died.  When I was in the ER, I had some doctors whose number one priority was DEFINITELY not me living through this and getting better.  That’s messed up, really messed up.  So I don’t know, I’m super confused.  Now I do some things that are considered alternative medicine.  I’m combining Eastern and Western medicine.  I’m certainly not going to ignore everything I am told by the Western doctors but I am doing my own research and adding my own things.  I suggest you do the same.  Alternative Medicine.

Related articles

• Alternative Medicine Vs. Traditional, Western Medicine (waynegordon.wordpress.com)
• Medicine and Healing (awitchylife.wordpress.com)

See the original article:

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

in

My Cerebellar Stroke Recovery

Tackling Fatigue

Elizabeth
Thankful for Every Day!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

I am now a year and a half out of deep brain surgery and stroke. Fatigue is a deficit that I can not yet escape. My recovery has been excellent except for this fatigue. I HATE it!! I am constantly reading, researching, trying to figure out how to fix it...a mostly fruitless effort. But I never give up HOPE that it will get better. When? How? I have no idea, but the following outlines my latest effort.

I saw an endocrinologist to make sure there are no other medical explanations for the crippling fatigue I deal with daily. It seemed like a good idea because after brain surgery one can never be sure that something else didn't go wrong while they were in there. I also have hypothyroid (onset 4 years ago during my pregnancy) which is often a cause of fatigue, but supposedly my thyroid has remained stable according to my PCP. My opinion is that my thyroid is at least part of my fatigue problem, but I can't be sure. So, I had a full work up with the endocrinologist and there were a few issues identified. According to the tests, my thyroid was within the "normal" range and my blood sugar is low frequently. The doctor changed my thyroid to Armour and doubled the dose despite the "normal range". What do you know? I got two more hours out of the day. Previously I was awake for 4 hours twice a day, now I'm awake about 5 hours twice a day. So I think I'm heading in the right direction. My assessment is that I need more thyroid, and I need to do something about my diet to regulate my blood sugar better. I probably need to eat more frequently. Since my surgery I am less hungry, my body just doesn't seem to send the hungry message, so now I'm trying to eat at least every few hours even when I'm not hungry.

Assembling the "A Team"

Marcelle Greene
Up Stroke

Monday, September 19, 2011

I had several bad experiences with healthcare professionals assigned to my case: An occupational therapist, a neurologist, and a physical therapist who, though he specialized in neurological conditions, should be rehabilitating buff guys with sports injuries. My progress was simply too slow for him, and I left every session heavy with his disappointment.

Fortunately, previous medical problems taught me I don't have to work with the first provider assigned to my case, that I need to trust my instincts, and that I need to act as my own advocate no matter how much I want to lie down and play the sick patient.

The professionals I choose to work with have several things in common: They listen, they respect my instincts, and they are able to clearly communicate their knowledge to me.

My medical team consists of:

1. Occupational therapist (covered by insurance)
2. Exercise physiologist/chiropractor (not covered)
3. Massage therapist (not covered)
4. Acupuncturist (covered)
5. Doctor of Physical Medicine (covered)
6. Neurologist (covered)

I call the first three my "A Team." Each of them has done as much for my emotional rehabilitation as my physical. In the 21st century, doctors who don't understand the importance of attitude – and their influence over it – should consider an alternative career … pouring cement, perhaps.

I've talked to people who have trouble finding the right health care provider. My advice: Keep looking. A good one makes all the difference.

See the original article:

Assembling the "A Team"

in

Up Stroke

Natural Healer - How Dr Wu Rid Himself of Cancer With a Vegetarian Diet

Ramon Florendo
Life After a STROKE

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Published: 7/05/2009
Newspaper Section: Mylife
By: Anjira Assavanonda 

At the age of 30, Chinese doctor Tom Wu was diagnosed with advanced stages of lung cancer, and was told he had only a few months to live.

However, Dr Wu, who recently spoke with Mylife, has already reached 70 years old, and to our surprise, he still looks like a young and healthy man in his 50s.

Not only has he survived, but the doctor has maintained a healthy life. The cancer is all gone, and he said he's never caught a cold or other illness for 40 years.

He has stopped going for blood tests.

"My body and feelings tell me I'm well, that I'm truly in good health," says Dr Wu.

His secret lies in the power of natural healing. Dr Wu always says that no wonder drug can cure diseases. But our own internal healing power, our immune system, can. And what can strengthen our immune system are simple foods from Mother Nature, and a healthy lifestyle. In his view, diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease can be overcome by changing the diet.

Eclectic Stuff

Definition: Eclectic (noun). A person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources

One Good Thing Leads to Another

Sas Freeman

September 13, 2015

I mentioned recently that I was fortunate enough to be part of the Art exhibition at Great Witley Church. The day after it all finished I had a call from a journalist, asking if she could write an article about my book, some publicity for me. I don’t have to tell you what my reply was. An opportunity to plug my book is not only good for me but Stroke Awareness too. As I’ve mentioned previously I donate proceeds from the sale of each copy to raise funds to be able to raise greater awareness, in the hope to prevent those strokes that can be prevented. I feel so passionate about preventing families from having to go through what my family have had to endure, where at all possible. Also, the book itself helps fellow survivors and their families cope with this new and terrifying new life they have been thrown into. It does this in a light hearted and humorous manner.

photo

I have a second plan too, but I need some financial help with this one. It is my aim to turn the book into an audio version, I will do the reading of it, to further reduce the costs. I have everything in place to do this and the greater plan which will benefit many without them even having to purchase anything, I only need to secure about £3000 from some kind soul: a business that wishes to support a charity and do a good deed.

If any of you reading this know of such a company or person please give them my details. I am ready to go as I type, the only show stopper being the funds. If I was in a position to be able to work, I would fund this as I have the book but sadly I am not in a position to do so. Only to give my experience and knowledge coupled with the passion to help others. Some of the book’s contents being vital immediately following a person’s stroke yet at the same time, without them having to purchase anything. #50shadesofhope & gratitude

See the original article:

One Good Thing Leads to Another

in

Sas Freeman

Letter from Speech Path. Colleague Now Using Teaching of Talking Method

Mark A. Ittleman
The Teaching of Talking

September 11, 2015

Dear Mark,

Thanks Mark for offering the webinar last night. It was very interesting and it inspired me to change my therapy techniques and focus for my patients. In fact, today, I spent a whole session with a pt (with global aphasia) having a conversation with her about how her night went the night before (she didn’t sleep well) and then we talked about her family. She was able to communicate more than I thought she would. I found out information about her son who is serving overseas and her daughters and grandchildren. Also, she was much more engaged throughout the whole session than yesterday. At the end of the session, I brought her to meet her daughter. I gave her daughter some examples of ways that I stimulated language. The pt and I tried a few exchanges with me using embedded questions, which she was successful with. Her daughter was surprised and elated that her mother was saying some words and then gently listed her mother on the the forehead. It just warmed my heart! It was a great moment and I feel it was all thanks to the information you shared during the webinar. So many thanks for that!

Cold is Not Cool - but Winter is Coming...

Jeff Porter
Stroke of Faith

Thursday, September 03, 2015

As a born Southerner, I am not a cold weather person. Cool is cool. Cold, however, is not.

And as cool weather is on the horizon now that it's September, it's good to know about recent research about the link between cold weather and stroke risk. While the studies don't prove that cold weather causes strokes, it's worth it to stay mindful about staying warm this winter and be sure you stick to your prescribed medications.

Here's a link and a snippet of the story about how cold weather may up risk of stroke, severe heart attack for some:

One investigation, out of Taiwan, has identified a link between cold weather and a heightened risk of stroke for patients with atrial fibrillation, a common problem where the heart beats irregularly. 

The finding is based on comparisons of daily temperature records in six regions of Taiwan between 2000 and 2011 and the incidence of ischemic stroke among almost 290,000 patients. Ischemic stroke, the most common type, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. 

"Our study shows a clear association between temperature and risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with AF," said Dr. Tze-Fan Chao in a news release from the European Society of Cardiology. Chao is a cardiologist at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan. 

The concern: cold weather might promote blood clot formation in the left atrium of the heart, thereby boosting stroke risk among these patients.

See the original article:

Cold is Not Cool - but Winter is Coming...

in

Stroke of Faith

Breakfast Egg Muffins

Leslie
Living After Stroke

by Leslie in One-Handed Cooking

Hooray!  I’m finally adding a recipe!  I decided that I’m not going to worry so much about taking pictures right now.  Every time I pick a recipe to post, I forget to take pics or I just want to focus on actually completing the task. Stopping to wash & dry my hand or move something out-of-the-way to take a pic just isn’t worth the effort.  Sorry.

But I know that if you’re cooking with deficits, you’ll understand and forgive me.

My plan is to take a finished pic the first time I make something.  Then when I make it again, I’ll take a pic of another part of the process.  Eventually it will be a complete post, or not (if I never make it again or forget).  It just takes so much effort to cook and clean up, that trying to incorporate picture taking is overwhelming and frustrating.

Today’s recipe is tied to a weekly challenge from a healthy living group I’m in. Eating breakfast every day.

I wasn’t much of a breakfast eater pre-stroke and even less of one post-stroke. I know my lack of eating consistently throughout the day contributes to my weight and energy issues. I made it my goal for the week and I would like to incorporate it into my life forever.

The problem is, I’m a very late starter and breakfast is not something I want to deal with.  I’m up very early but never ready to do more than play on my phone, chat with a friend, or watch tv, until sometime around lunch.

Freddy will make me eggs if I ask, but his scrambled eggs aren’t that great.  He makes some mean breakfast potatoes on Sundays, but eggs………….. Could be that he likes his sunny side up (yuck).

Egg muffins were suggested by a fellow group member.  You can make them once and you have breakfast for the week.  Can’t beat that.

The Universe Provides

Diana Smith
Beyond Reality

September 13, 2015

I asked and I received the best cat, the best grandkids, and soon I will meet my love.

I have done something different, because doing the same thing over and over without getting the intended results is futile. I have met someone online from a facebook group and will meet him in person next weekend. Don’t bother with your warnings that I will meet a fate such as death or worse. I have already met worse it is called my life since the stroke. Even if I am killed in a plane crash on the way there, or by getting tied up and tortured I will be happy that I did something positive for a change. I finally am starting to let go of my fears so I can have a happy life.

We need to take small chances, work on miracles, and go for our dreams. Sitting alone day after day is not a life. Make your miracle happen for you today. Feel free to enjoy mine as well, yet I won’t be sharing every detail. I can not change everything about me at once.

See the original article:

The Universe Provides

in

Beyond Reality

OT Fails with Stroke Survivors in Care-Homes

Rebecca Dutton
Home After a Stroke

September 4, 2015

Professor Sackley who teaches PT at the University of East Anglia in England conducted a study that provided 2500 hours of OT to 1042 stroke survivors in nursing homes (1). The treatment did not produce a significant change. This study is disappointing for the following reasons.

1. The study used a 50 year old outcome measure called the Barthel Index of ADLs. The Barthel has 3 levels: zero = dependent, one = needs help, and two = independent. People who are frail enough to be in a nursing home are unlikely to become totally independent. Other researchers have used ADL tests that are sensitive to small changes, like the Functional Independence Measure which has seven levels of assistance.  
2. Another outcome measure was the Rivermead Mobility Index. Having worked in a nursing home I know that the nursing staff do not have a stake in encouraging residents to get out of bed independently or walk unassisted. Decreased mobility makes it easier to keep residents safe with fewer staff. No increase in mobility in a nursing home is not surprising.
3. The average treatment was only 5.1 sessions and only 15% of the time was spend on ADL and mobility training which the outcome measures evaluated. The majority of time was spent on evaluation and "communication."  

Bottom Line: Professor Sackley said "we need to rethink what is needed for these patients.” I agree. Dressing and walking 10 meters are "shoulds" that people do to get the life they want. People with chronic conditions need the incentive of participating in activities they enjoy to sustain their commitment to action. Asking nursing home residents "What activity makes you happy or lifts your spirits?" has to come before teaching them the skills they need to participate in an activity.

(1) OT Fails in Care-Home Stroke Patients presented at the XXIII European
     Stroke Conference on May 6-9, 2014, Nice, France.

See the original article:

OT Fails with Stroke Survivors in Care-Homes

in

Home After a Stroke

Weekly Columnists

Definition: Columnist |ˈkäləmnist| (noun). A blogger or a journalist contributing regularly to a blog or newspaper

Musing: The 'Brain-Enhancing' Drugs That Are Sweeping Silicon Valley

Dean Reinke
Deans’ Stroke Musing

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Don't do this until some reputable research shows up on this, I'd be concerned about side effects - The 'Brain-Enhancing' Drugs That Are Sweeping Silicon Valley.

Experts say this is the Aderall "killer." Most people only use 10% of their brain’s potential. What if there was a pill that could unlock the other 90%? Clinical Trials have shown that the ingredients in this pill can boost your brain power, sharpen your mind, and sky-rocket your energy levels.

Nothing in here can be trusted since the second sentence written is completely wrong.

See the original article:

The 'Brain-Enhancing' Drugs
That Are Sweeping Silicon Valley

in

Deans' Stroke Musing

Sunday Stroke Survival: Voodoo Medicine

Jo Murphey
The Murphey Saga

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Credit

Voodoo medicine is a term coined by my old occupational therapist as any treatment not sanctioned by the powers that currently be. Alternative medicine such as herb use, yoga, meditation, and even dry needling fall into this category. They are alternatives to the normal operating procedures of western medicine. They are often discounted by modern medical types, but the facts is that it was practiced and worked prior to modern medicine. Modern medicine had to start somewhere.

I was a medical professional, but did not discount anything but embraced it. I studied far eastern schools of thought because of my upbringing in a Japanese-American household. The fact was it worked when I couldn't visit the modern day medical types. It broadened my horizons as it were to see outside the box of strictly modern medicine for treating what ails you.

While I was in college studying modern nursing techniques, I was also studying German lithographs of herbs. In childbirth, I used Lamaze (focused breathing as in meditation) instead of the ever more popular drugs which crossed the placental barrier to my waiting to be born children. Later, I went on to to be degreed in holistic practices also herbatology and aromatherapy. I've practiced yoga (not the exercise) for decades. When herbs became an over the counter quick fix in this society, I was the one cautioning the wide spread uses of St John's Wort screaming about the side effects to anyone that would listen to name just one.