الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is considered a controversial field, in neurology and in general. Debate begins with inconsistent definitions and continues with research efforts seldom realized in this area, in comparison to other treatment options in conventional medicine. Because causal therapies have not been available in diseases like multiple sclerosis until now, patients often seek other forms of treatment: the so-called CAM. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not yet considered to be part of conventional medicine. In neurology, all surveys agree that back pain is one of the most common reasons for people to try CAM. Several researchers started to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in post stroke paralysis. Acupuncture is widely used for the treatment of tension-type headache, but its effectiveness is controversial. There is a significant amount of evidence to suggest that herbal products may be of use in treating neurological disorders and other conditions requiring an effect on the nervous system. The role for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in the treatment of acute, sub-acute and chronic stroke remains controversial. More researches and evidence based trials are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of the use of different methods of complementary and alternative therapies in treatment of different neurological diseases. |