M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are interventions that are used in place of or alongside conventional medication; it has been described as “complementing mainstream medicine by contributing to the common whole” (Ernst, 2000). The use of CAM is on the increase worldwide, with a prevalence of 30% to 50% recorded in industrialized countries in 1998 (Astin et al., 1998). People are increasingly consulting CAM practitioners and are also doing their own research on CAM products as well as self-medicating by purchasing products that are freely available from health shops and pharmacies. Trends seem to emerge in the type of people who seek out these modalities and people who do use CAM modalities seem to have favourable results. This study was formulated to give insight into the perceptions of CAM users in Cape Town regarding CAM use. The information obtained can be used to get a better understanding about CAM users themselves and their attitudes toward CAM in order for better education of the public on CAM and marketing of CAM professions in the future. Worldwide studies have been done on the prevalence of CAM use, and in South Africa, only one done so far in Chatsworth (Durban)(Singh et al., 2004). In South Africa, the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPCSA) registers and regulates 11 CAM professions, namely Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Phytotherapy, Therapeutic Aromatherapy, Therapeutic Massage, Therapeutic Reflexology and Unani-Tibb. Even though the practitioners are regulated, some CAM products are freely available in retail outlets. The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine by users in Cape Town, evaluated by means of a survey. This study was conducted by means of a survey; 200 questionnaires were distributed to 10 different health shops in Cape Town. Participants completed the questionnaires privately on the premises and handed them to the staff at the health shops.Completed questionnaires were placed in sealed envelopes and collected by the researcher on completion of the study. Out of the 200 questionnaires that were distributed, 183 were completed and results were analyzed by STATKON.

Background: Unsettled infant behaviour is a common problem of infancy without known aetiology or effective management, and it is costly in both social and economic terms. Some osteopaths propose that musculoskeletal dysfunction contributes to unsettled infant behaviour, yet reported improvement following osteopathic treatment is anecdotal. A primary issue is the absence of a measurement tool to test musculoskeletal dysfunction in infants. Aims and Objectives: This research aimed to investigate: the reliability and validity of the infantile postural asymmetry (IPA) measurement scale; whether there was a relationship between IPA and unsettled infant behaviour as measured by the Revised Infant Behavior Questionnaire – short form (IBQ-Rs); and whether any relationship between IPA and unsettled infant behaviour was mediated by, or confounded with, the demographic variables of age, sex, birth weight and weight gain in twelve- to sixteen-week-old infants. Methods: Fifty-eight infants aged twelve- to sixteen-weeks-old were recruited through public health clinics, and their behaviour was assessed using the parent-report IBQ-Rs. Infantile asymmetry was measured using observer ratings of spontaneous movements in the IPA scale. A quantitative cross-sectional observational design was used to investigate the relationship between IPA and unsettled behaviour. Results: An association between unsettled behaviour and musculoskeletal dysfunction was not found in twelve- to sixteen-week-old infants using the IPA measurement scale. Ratings for the trunk convexity parameter of the IPA scale were unreliable and excluded from statistical analysis. A significant difference between high and low cervical rotation deficit groups for Surgency was detected in female babies and needs further examination. Some subsets of the IBQ-Rs were unstable when measuring behaviour in twelve- to sixteen-week-old infants. Future research targeting infants younger than twelve-weeks-old, and presenting with unsettled behaviour, is indicated. Conclusion: A causal relationship between unsettled infant behaviour and musculoskeletal dysfunction is still unproven. The literature suggests benefits associated with a consistent approach to providing parents with information, support and advice on normal behaviour patterns and optimal handling of infants. Non-specific effects cannot be ruled out in reported improvements following osteopathic treatment. Management strategies require early implementation and a multidisciplinary approach. The absence of common terminology in infant behaviour problems is an obstacle in cross-professional communication. A role for osteopathy may be in developing a shared language to facilitate management and research, and to examine the importance of positioning and handling practices on infant asymmetry and the relationship with the musculoskeletal system.

Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / One of the sustainable development goals the World Health Organization (WHO) has set for member countries is the implementation of universal health coverage (UHC) in order to ensure all citizens have the right to access healthcare. In recognising that the global demand for traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) continues to grow, the WHO has encouraged the inclusion of T&CM into the national health systems of member countries as a way of ensuring that UHC can be achieved.

Dancing While Pregnant by Teagen Boyle is about a very important question any female athlete may find themselves asking. How can I continue my sport while pregnant? Pregnancy is very strenuous and takes a toll on the human body; however, it is very important to stay healthy and continue exercising. Dance is a safe, no-contact sport that is really on the terms of the dancer. Therefore, dance is most likely a fun, safe form of exercise for pregnant women. Diving into research and looking up articles one may find little to no research. That is because there is barely any research done on safe forms of exercise for pregnant women. Through deduction and reasoning and others research a conclusion was found. By assessing the few women who do embrace dance during their pregnancy it was found to have numerous benefits. While there are always restrictions, especially when carrying a baby, the benefits were plentiful while the cons were minute. The benefits of exercise during pregnancy has been research and many pros are shown. For example, mothers who exercise show less complications during labor and delivery, healthier mom and baby, and improved mood in mom. Not only are the physical aspects important but so are the emotional ones. Emotionally pregnancy is a rollercoaster and there is nothing anyone can do for it. Although, exercise and specifically dance has been shown to improve mood and improve mood especially in pregnant women. Overall, dancing as a safe form of exercise during pregnancy is recommended with a doctor's approval.

Reviews the book, Complementary medicine and clinical practice edited by David P. Rakel and Nancy Faass (2006). Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, as it is known, has been an important and controversial topic for allopathic medicine. Although the majority of the patients in this country will use one or more forms of complementary medicine, and spend more out-of-pocket money on CAM techniques and practitioners than on allopathic ones, there is still a great deal of uncertainty among practicing physicians about what exactly CAM consists of. This book goes a long way toward helping to clarify this diverse and changing topic. Overall, each of the topics in the book emphasizes a refreshing focus on health compared with the antidisease focus of many more traditional medical articles and books. Each of the chapters integrates the technique and philosophy of the topic explored into an overall health-oriented approach to patient care. Rakel and Faass's book creates a template for a new model of medicine. Given its broad scope, it is ideal for family physicians to consider as we envision the evolution of our practices.

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Syftet med denna litteraturstudie är att undersöka effekten av akupunktur samt ge exempel på några områden inom vilka akupunktur hittills har används. Metoden är en litteraturstudie som baserar på nio vetenskapliga artiklar. Artiklarna granskas utifrån kriterier på vad en vetenskaplig artikel ska innehålla enligt Polit. & Hungler. Reliabiliteten av 8 artiklar betygsätts enligt Carlsson & Eimans bedömningsmall för kvalitativ och kvantitativ studier. Elektroniska databaser som Cinahl, Cochrane Library, PubMed, och Medline har använts vid litteratursökning. Resultatet av denna studie visar på övervägande positiva effekter av akupunktur på symtom, mentalt o emotionellt och socialt. Patienten upplever att symtomen lindrades, att ha styrka och uthållighet och bättre självförtroende. / The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture and give some examples of which area acupuncture have been used so far. The method is a systematic review of literature based on 8 articles. These articles were revised according to Polit & Hunglers´ criterion for a research article. However the reliability of these 8 articles are valued according to Eiman & Carlssons´ assessment pattern for qualitative and quantitative study. Electronic database as Cinahl, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Medline had been used in searching research articles. The findings of this study show an overwhelming extent of positive experiences of acupuncture treatment in symptom, mental, emotional and social plan. The patient experiences the effect of acupuncture by alleviating the pain, by having strength and stamina and better self-confidence.

This research is a qualitative study that aimed to anthropologically explore the effects of consistent long-term yogic practice on the acceptance and practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among yoga practitioners at a South Florida yoga center. I wished to determine, through in-depth interviews, whether or not yogic practice affects acceptance of CAM. The main objective was to interview individuals from a single yoga center that have practiced yoga at least once per week for at least one year concerning their beliefs about CAM, yoga, and health. This project will begin to fill the gap in social science, in general, and specifically, the anthropological literature. Scholars of various backgrounds have discussed elements of yogic practice and philosophy that were integral to my understanding of the data. The health benefits of yoga as CAM, the associations between yoga and beliefs about health, and the association between yoga and Indian philosophy and medicine have each been explored. However, anthropological scholarship discussing the effects of consistent, long-term yogic practice on the acceptance of other CAM’s or Western biomedicine has not been examined.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder commonly affecting women of reproductive age. Diagnostic criteria include abnormal menstrual cycles, elevated androgens, and cystic ovaries, although insulin resistance is also common. PCOS puts patients at an elevated risk for complications such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, so proper management of this condition is essential. It has been found that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among the PCOS patient population, therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation as a treatment for PCOS. A meta-analysis was performed using six randomized, placebo-controlled trials that each examined the effects of vitamin D administration in PCOS women compared to a control group. Subgroups of low doses (50,000 IU of vitamin D every 14 – 21 days) and high doses (50,000 IU of vitamin D every 7 days) were employed when possible. Analysis revealed that vitamin D significantly improved fasting plasma glucose and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) when given in a low dose. Vitamin D also significantly improved insulin levels overall, although the low dose proved more effective. Insignificant yet marginal improvements were observed in total testosterone and insulin sensitivity (QUICKI). These results indicate that vitamin D can benefit some of the metabolic and endocrine parameters that are typically abnormal in PCOS. On this basis, health care providers are urged to test the vitamin D levels of their patients and encourage supplementation when deficiencies are present, as vitamin D may provide a low cost, low risk treatment to patients.