A Model for Integrative Transformation: A Back Pain Group Appointment Program.

A back pain treatment program was developed for the outpatient, primary care clinic setting. In this pilot study, measured functional status scores improved in a cohort of patients enrolled in the program. The program consists of a series of 5 monthly group appointments and follows a sequential curriculum involving multiple therapeutic modalities.

Lipophilic stinging nettle extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory activity, are not cytotoxic and may be superior to traditional tinctures for treating inflammatory disorders.

Extracts of four plant portions (roots, stems, leaves and flowers) of Urtica dioica (the stinging nettle) were prepared using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) involving water, hexanes, methanol and dichloromethane. The extracts were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities in an NF-κB luciferase and MTT assay using macrophage immune (RAW264.7) cells.

Adverse interactions between herbal and dietary substances and prescription medications: a clinical survey.

Context: Patients often combine prescription medications with herbal and dietary substances (herein referred to as herbal medicines). A variety of potential adverse herb-drug interactions exist based on the pharmacological properties of herbal and prescription medications.

Objective: To determine the incidence of potential and observed adverse herb-drug interactions in patients using herbal medicines with prescription medications.