M.Tech. / Haemostasis is an internal mechanism to stop bleeding from a damaged blood vessel. Conceptually this process occurs in a number of essential steps following tissue injury. Although the herbal preparation of Arnica montana has been well documented for its tendency to prolong bleeding, according to the Law of Similars, homeopathically prepared Arnica montana 6C is well indicated for traumatic injuries and post surgical bruising. Arnica montana 6C can be used when there is mechanical trauma that causes wounds, haemorrhages, haematomas, sore-bruised bone and muscular pains, inflammations, fractures, muscular strains and sprains. The remedy is often prescribed before and immediately after surgery to reduce post-operative pain and to speed up recuperation. Three in vitro studies conducted at the Technikon Witwatersrand (now the University of Johannesburg) on various potencies of homeopathically prepared Arnica montana showed lowered overall coagubility of blood, but no significant difference between the experimental and control groups. Bengsch (2000), Hohl (2005), Vermeulen (2000) and van Tonder (2005) recommended that studies on the effect of homeopathically prepared Arnica montana on blood coagulability be repeated in vivo. This study formed part of a three part in vivo study to determine the effect of Arnica montana homeopathic preparations on blood coagulation by measuring the Bleeding Time (BT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aP'TT) and Prothrombin Time (PT). This study investigated the effect of Arnica montana 6C on these measurements. Eighty participants were allocated a participant number and randomised by the research supervisor into four groups of twenty participants. Twenty participants were in the placebo group that was shared by all three studies. Twenty participants were allocated to the experimental group for this study. The study was conducted over a period of two weeks at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Doomfontein Campus Homeopathy Health Centre. Consenting participants were screened by means of a questionnaire (Appendix D) regarding relevant medical history and other background information. A case history was taken and a physical examination was performed. Any prospective participants that were diagnosed with and/or suffer from hypertension, hypotension, heart disease, a iii bleeding disorder, anaemia, iron or any vitamin deficiency, liver disease, malaria or are currently on aspirin or anticoagulants (Appendix D) were excluded from the study. The bleeding time was measured by a trained medical technologist using a standardised bleeding time technique. Blood samples drawn by a phlebotomist went for coagulation tests comprising of aPTT and PT at the NHLS Main Haematology laboratory of the Johannesburg Hospital. Twenty participants were given a 25mL bottle of Arnica montana 6C in 20% ethanol. Twenty participants received an identical bottle containing only 20% ethanol. All participants were requested to take ten drops twice a day for two weeks. All three coagulation test measurements were performed again at the end of the second week. The BT, PT and aPTT results were analysed by using ordinary descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. Changes over time in blood coagulation were ascertained utilising ANOVA (analysis of variance). The results showed that there is no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group in BT, aPTT and PT. There was also no statistically significant difference between the first BT, PT and aPTT before medication and the second BT, PT and aPTT after two weeks of medication. The results of the study support the hypothesis that Arnica montana 6C would have no effect on the bleeding or coagulation times in vivo. These results support the view that prescribing the remedy before surgery is not likely to increase the post surgical risk of haemorrhage

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Haemostasis is defined as the arrest of bleeding by formation of a haemostatic plug or clot. The herb Arnica montana interferes with this process thus resulting in increased bleeding. Homoeopathic physicians use Arnica montana in a potentised form for the treatment of post-operative swelling, pain and ecchymosis but little is known on what effect this potentised form of Arnica montana has on blood coagulation and bleeding time. This study forms part of a three part in vivo study to determine the effects of various homoeopathic potencies of Arnica montana on blood coagulation. This was done by measuring the Bleeding Time (BT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and the International Normalised Ratio (INR) of Prothrombin Time (PT). The aim of this particular study is to investigate the in vivo effect of Arnica montana 30C on blood coagulation and Bleeding Time. This study is a double blind, placebo controlled study that took place over a period of two weeks. A total sample group for the three part study consisted of eighty healthy participants between the ages of eighteen to thirty five. Consenting participants that met the criteria were randomised into four groups of twenty each. One group for each part of the three part study were the experimental group and one group was allocated to the placebo group that was shared by all three studies. BT was taken as well as blood samples which underwent coagulation tests (aPTT and INR). Twenty participants received Arnica montana 30C in 20% ethanol and twenty participants received an identical bottle containing 20% ethanol. After two weeks another blood sample was taken where all three coagulation test measurements were repeated. The results of the BT, INR and aPTT were analysed using Statkon Statistical Package for Social Sciences. This showed no statistical difference between the experimental or control group with regard to BT, INR and aPTT. The results indicate that Arnica montana 30C appears to have no effect on Bleeding Time..

M.Tech. / The homoeopathic medicine Arnica montana is often prescribed in cases of trauma, before and after surgery and in cases where there is bleeding. Many conventional medical practitioners, however, do not advise its use for the above complaints due to the herbally prepared Arnica montana mother tincture containing coumarin derivatives which are said to have an anti-coagulant effect and cause a potential risk of bleeding. The aim of this particular study was to investigate the in vivo effect of the complex remedy Arnica montana composing of potencies 6C, 30C and 200C on coagulation and bleeding. This study forms part of a three part in vivo study to determine the effect of homoeopathic Arnica montana in various potencies on blood coagulation. The effect of Arnica montana on blood coagulation was evaluated by measuring the Bleeding Time (BT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT). This is a double blind, placebo controlled trial with a total sample group of eighty healthy participants between the ages of eighteen to thirty five. As this study forms part of a three part study the total sample group was shared. Twenty participants were allocated to the placebo group and received 20% ethanol. Twenty participants were allocated to the experimental group and received the complex homoeopathic preparation of Arnica montana 6C, 30C and 200C in 20% ethanol. The Bleeding Time was measured by a trained medical technologist and blood samples underwent coagulation tests comprising of aPTT and PT. The study was conducted over a period of two weeks at the UJ Doornfontein Campus Homoeopathy Health Centre. After two weeks another venous sample was drawn by the phlebotomist and sent away for the same coagulation studies as described above. The technologist again measured the Bleeding Time. Results obtained from the Prothrombin Time, activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Bleeding Time tests pre- and post medication were compared and v analysed. Analysis of data was done using SPSS 15.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Results showed that complex remedy Arnica montana 6C, 30C and 200C had no significant effect on blood coagulation and bleeding in vivo.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Purpose: The aim of this study was to look at the effectiveness of massage with MYO₂ gel in conjunction with Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) for the treatment of patients with posterior mechanical neck pain, with regards to pain, disability and cervical spine range of motion. The effect of these treatments was evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index Questionnaire, and by measuring cervical spine range of motion using a cervical range of motion (CROM) measuring device. Method: 30 participants with posterior mechanical neck pain were randomly divided into two groups based on the order they start the study in. Group A – control group, received SMT to the cervical spine, followed by massage with ultrasound gel over the upper trapezius muscle and the area of the posterior neck musculature. Group B – experimental group, received SMT of the cervical spine, followed by massage with MYO₂ gel over the upper trapezius muscle and the area of the posterior neck musculature. Participants were treated six times out of a total of seven sessions, over a maximum three week period. Procedure: Subjective data was collected at the beginning of the first and fourth and seventh consultations. This was done by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Vernon- Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index Questionnaire in order to assess pain and disability levels. Objective data was collected at the beginning of the first, fourth session, and seventh consultation by means of measuring cervical spine range of motion using a cervical range of motion (CROM) measuring device. Analysis of collected data was performed by a statistician from STATKON; a department of the University of Johannesburg. Results: When comparing the VAS of the initial with the final consultation it showed a statistically significant difference in both groups. This indicated that both interventions were effective in decreasing the perceived level of neck pain (VAS score). When comparing the Neck Pain and Disability Index of the initial with the final consultation it showed a statistically significant difference in both groups. This indicated that both interventions were effective in decreasing neck pain and disability of the cervical spine. When comparing the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) of the initial consultation with the final consultation it showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups in all directions of motion. Both groups resulted in an increase in range of motion over time. Group B had a greater average CROM percentage increase of 28.60% average compared to Group A which had an average percentage increase of 22.25%.