Alternative approaches to healing

Group Health Research Institute (GHRI) has one of the nation's leading teams researching alternative approaches to healing. The team uses rigorous scientific methods to evaluate the effectiveness—and cost-effectiveness—of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies delivered as in real-world practice.

GHRI researchers work with investigators at the University of Washington (UW), Harvard University, Oregon Health and Science University, and Kaiser Permanente to study CAM therapies. Many of the studies concern musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, which accounts for a large portion of visits to alternative providers.

"Our research has shown that massage, yoga, acupuncture, and to a lesser extent spinal manipulation help relieve chronic low back pain," said GHRI Senior Investigator Dan Cherkin, PhD. "But the reasons why these treatments are helpful remain unclear."

One possibility is that the relaxation aspects of those treatments may be more important than the physical ones. Also, CAM practitioners often approach their patients with optimism, offer suggestions for ways they can achieve more balance in their lives, and coach them on becoming more involved in their own healing and self-care.

"Evidence is growing that the mind and body are intricately connected, with both important for healing to occur," said Senior Investigator Karen Sherman, PhD, MPH. "We hope to bring greater healing into primary care and harness the mind-body connection to enhance healing for various health problems that don't respond well to conventional treatments."

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Researchers in alternative approaches to healing

GHRI

Affiliate researchers

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Recent publications on alternative approaches to healing

2008

Reed SD, Newton KM, Lacroix AZ, Grothaus LC, Grieco VS, Ehrlich K. Vaginal, endometrial, and reproductive hormone findings: randomized, placebo-controlled trial of black cohosh, multibotanical herbs, and dietary soy for vasomotor symptoms: the Herbal Alternatives for Menopause (HALT) Study. Menopause. 2008;15(1):51-8. Epub 2007 Jul 6. PubMed

2007

Reed SD, Newton KM, LaCroix AZ, Grothaus LC, Ehrlich K. Night sweats, sleep disturbance, and depression associated with diminished libido in late menopausal transition and early postmenopause: baseline data from the Herbal Alternatives for Menopause Trial (HALT). Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;196(6):593.e1-7; discussion 593.e7. PubMed

Spangler L, Newton KM, Grothaus LC, Reed SD, Ehrlich K, Lacroix AZ. The effects of black cohosh therapies on lipids, fibrinogen, glucose and insulin. Maturitas. 2007;57(2):195-204. Epub 2007 Feb 1. PubMed

Eisenberg DM, Post DE, Davis RB, Connelly MT, Legedza AT, Hrbek AL, Prosser LA, Buring JE, Inui TS, Cherkin DC. Addition of choice of complementary therapies to usual care for acute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Spine. 2007;32(2):151-8. PubMed

Langevin HM, Sherman KJ. Pathophysiological model for chronic low back pain integrating connective tissue and nervous system mechanisms. Med Hypotheses. 2007;68(1):74-80. Epub 2006 Aug 21. PubMed

2006

Newton KM, Reed SD, LaCroix AZ, Grothaus LC, Ehrlich K, Guiltinan J. Treatment of vasomotor symptoms of menopause with black cohosh, multibotanicals, soy, hormone therapy, or placebo: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145(12):869-79. PubMed

Lafferty WE, Tyree PT, Bellas AS, Watts CA, Lind BK, Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Grembowski DE. Insurance coverage and subsequent utilization of complementary and alternative medicine providers. Am J Manag Care. 2006;12(7):397-404. PubMed

Herman PM, Sherman KJ, Erro JH, Cherkin DC, Milliman B, Adams LA. A method for describing and evaluating naturopathic whole practice. Altern Ther Health Med. 2006;12(4):20-8. PubMed

Sherman KJ, Dixon MW, Thompson D, Cherkin DC. Development of a taxonomy to describe massage treatments for musculoskeletal pain. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006;6(1):24. PubMed

Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Deyo RA, Erro J, Hrbek A, Eisenberg DM, Davis RB. The diagnosis and treatment of chronic back pain by acupuncturists, chiropractors, and massage therapists. Clin J Pain. 2006;22(3):227-34. PubMed

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Our major research interests

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