Quitting smoking is one of the best things a person can do for their health—but it's also one of the hardest habits to break. Many smokers make several attempts before they successfully quit, even when using medications or nicotine replacement products. Now, a panel of tobacco treatment experts is encouraging healthcare providers to expand the conversation about smoking cessation by discussing nicotine e-cigarettes as one possible option for adults who smoke cigarettes. The recommendations, published in JAMA , were developed by the Harm Reduction Work Group of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco’s Treatment Research Network. Rather than promoting vaping, the group says clinicians should focus on helping patients choose the quit-smoking method that best fits their individual circumstances. A Personalized Approach to Quitting Smoking cessation isn't the same for everyone. What works well for one person may not work for another, which is why the authors recommend mo...
New research shows practicing yoga can combat pain and other serious symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. In a study, the effects of yoga were compared to a group given an eight week program of gentle poses, meditation, breathing exercises and group discussions to a group of fibromyalgia patients undergoing standard therapy with medication.
The study, conducted at Oregon Health & Science University, enrolled 53 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia in an effort to determine if yoga "should be considered as a prescribed treatment and the extent to which it can be successful."
James Carson, PhD., a clinical health psychologist and an assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine says, "Previous research suggests that the most successful treatment for fibromyalgia involves a combination of medications, physical exercise and development of coping skills." The current study focused specifically on yoga.
The group assigned yoga kept a diary throughout the study. Questionnaires and physical exam were used to evaluate pain, stiffness, fatigue, poor sleep and memory, depression and anxiety and balance before and after the study.
Yoga reduced fibromyalgia pain, fatigue and depression after 8 weeks
The study revealed that yoga had a significant impact for reducing pain, fatigue and depression associated with fibromyalgia.
Compared to the group receiving standard medical therapy, participants given an 8 week program of yoga experienced a 24 percent reduction in pain, 30 percent reduction in fatigue, and depression was reduced by 42 percent.
Carson noted "One likely reason for the apparent success of this study therapy was the strong commitment shown by the study subjects. Attendance at the classes was good as was most participants' willingness to practice yoga while at home."
As a result of their studies the Oregon Health and State University researchers plan to offer teaching to U.S. and Canadian yoga teachers next June, focused on helping individuals with chronic pain. Previous research from OSHU showed that yoga can also help cancer pain. The new findings show yoga could be beneficial for combating serious symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
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