Can a placebo work for back pain, even when you now you’re taking it?
My initial response to this question, is off course not. A placebo is anything that seems to be a “real” medical treatment — but isn’t i.e. it is fake. The judgement of what is fake is based on the availability of scientific evidence. Traditionally in medical trails patients don’t know if they are taking a placebo. For most of my readers, they would probably refuse to take a placebo, as they know its a placebo, so you would think your wasting your time. I would agree with this, but was a bit surprised by some recent research.
Around half of 97 patients with chronic lower back pain were given a pill bottle with the word “Placebo” printed on it – after they been told that a placebo contains no active ingredient – along with a standard NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) pain killer, while the remainder of the group was just given the NSAID.
After taking the pills twice a day for three weeks, the patients taking they placebo plus the NSAID reported a 30% reduction in pain compared with a 9% decrease in those given only the NSAID.
So the researches discovered that a placebo may be effective treatment for lower back pain even when people know they are taking a placebo!
Reference
Carvalho, Cláudia; Caetano et al, 2016, Open-label placebo treatment in chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Pain, December 2016, Vol 157, Issue 2, p 2766 – 2772
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Introduction to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Way back when I first started at Barclays, one of the first clients I treated was returning to work after being signed off with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Which is a common and painful disorder of the wrist, caused by pressure on the median nerve which creates numbness and tingling in the fingers. At its worse it can lead to loss of grip and permanent numbness in the fingers. Repetitive computer use thought to be one of the causes, but scientific studies have shown contradictory results. A recent review of the scientific evidence found that frequent computer or mouse use can nearly double the risk of developing the condition. Repeated tapping, scrolling and swiping on your smartphone or tablet can also lead ot carpal tunnel problems. If these sort of repeated movements are the cause then improving your posture will help. But it is also worth ruling out other possible causes such as:
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Thyriod Disease
Reiki – Mechanisms of Healing – Part 2
In part 1 on the discussion of the mechanisms of healing I explored the range of opinions on how Reiki works. I want to continue this discussion by focusing on some interesting research which supports my belief that I act as a channel for universal energy when I am giving Reiki treatments. During the 1980’s, Dr Robert Becker, Dr John Zimmerman, and Max Cade each investigated what happens whilst people perform therapies like Reiki. They found that not only do the brain wave patterns of practitioner and receiver become synchronised in the alpha state, but they pulse in unison with the earth’s magnetic field, known as the Schuman Resonance. During these moments, the biomagnetic field of the practitioner’s hands is at least 10000 times greater than normal, and not as a result of internal body current. The synchronisation between practitioner & receiver in the alpha state allows left-right balance, and stimulates deep relaxation and meditation. Which explains why all my clients state Reiki is very relaxing. Toni Bunnell (1997) suggests that the linking of energy fields between practitioner and earth allows the practitioner to draw on the ‘infinite energy source’ or ‘universal energy field’ via the Schuman Resonance. Professor Paul Davies and Dr John Gribben in The Matter Myth (1991), discuss the quantum physics view of a ‘living universe’ in which everything is connected in a ‘living web of interdependence’. References Zimmerman J., ‘New technologies detect effects of healing hands’, Brain/Mind Bulletin, Vol 10, No 16. Sept 30, 1985. Becker, Robert O. ‘The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life’, Pub: William Morrow & Co. Inc. 1985 Bunnell T., ‘A tentative mechanism for healing’, Positive Health, Nov/Dec 1997. Cade M. & Coxhead N., ‘The Awakened Mind;Biofeedback and the Development of Higher States of Awareness’, pub: Element Books, 1996 (reprint).
How to avoid jet lag?
I know lots of people love travelling, but travelling to a new time zone can result in jet lag. Personally I did so much business travelling in my late 20's and then in my 30's I travelled for pleasure, that more recently I have been happy to stay put in England and simply pop over to Europe when I wanted some sun. This year I am planing to go on a training course in Canada so when I saw some recent research on avoiding jet lag it caught my eye. Jet lag occurs when your circadian rhythms are slow to adjust to the new time zone and remain on their original biological schedule for several days. This results in your body telling you it is time to sleep, when it's actually the middle of the afternoon, or it makes you want to stay awake when it is late at night. Here are some tips for minimizing the occurrence of jet lag:
- Select a flight that allows early evening arrival and stay up until 10 p.m. local time. (If you must sleep during the day, take a short nap in the early afternoon, but no longer than two hours. Set an alarm to be sure not to over sleep.)
- Avoid alcohol or caffeine at least three to four hours before bedtime. Both act as "stimulants" and prevent sleep.
- Try to get outside in the sunlight whenever possible. Daylight is a powerful stimulant for regulating the biological clock. (Staying indoors worsens jet lag.)
- On the flight set the time on your watch to the local time of your destination so you can mentally start adjusting to the new time zone.
- When you arrive eat with the locals.
