Acupuncture in Modern Medicine

This book contains four integrated sections: 1) Acupuncture Research; 2) New Developments in Acupuncture; 3) Acupuncture Therapy for Clinical Conditions and 4) Assessment and Accessibility in Acupuncture Therapy. Section 1 provides updates on acupuncture research. From acupuncture effects in modulation of immune system to the role of nitric oxide in acupuncture mechanisms, chapters in this section offer readers the newest trends in acupuncture research. Section 2 summarizes new developments in acupuncture. The included chapters discuss new tools and methods in acupuncture such as laser acupuncture, sham needles, and new technologies. Section 3 discusses acupuncture therapy for clinical conditions. The chapters in this section provide comprehensive and critical views of acupuncture therapy and its application in common clinical practice. Section 4 takes a new look at the issues related to assessment and accessibility in acupuncture therapy. These issues are central to developing new standards for outcome assessment and policies that will increase the accessibility to acupuncture therapy

Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease

An estimated 50% to 80% of individuals with Parkinson’s disease experience Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Based on the prevalence and clinical complexity of PDD, this book provides an in-depth update on topics including epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Chapters discuss non-medical therapies and examine views on end-of-life issues as well. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in PDD whether they are a patient, caregiver, or doctor

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder globally, affecting approximately 50 million people of all ages. It is one of the oldest diseases described in literature from remote ancient civilizations 2000-3000 years ago. Despite its long history and wide spread, epilepsy is still surrounded by myth and prejudice, which can only be overcome with great difficulty. The term epilepsy is derived from the Greek verb epilambanein, which by itself means to be seized and to be overwhelmed by surprise or attack. Therefore, epilepsy is a condition of getting over, seized, or attacked. The twelve very interesting chapters of this book cover various aspects of epileptology from the history and milestones of epilepsy as a disease entity, to the most recent advances in understanding and diagnosing epilepsy

MAPS OF MARGINALIZATION: EXPLORING THE HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES OF MEN AND WOMEN WITH FIBROMYALGIA

This qualitative study explored the retrospective and ongoing healthcare experiences of men and women who have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM), a contested, chronic, and gendered condition of unknown origin. The research question was: How do men and women who have a diagnosis of FM experience interactions with healthcare providers? The study, which was epistemologically rooted in the critical theories of feminist poststructuralism and intersectionality, blended constructivist grounded theory with a participatory component, an arts-based research methodology called body-map storytelling. Thirty-five participants were recruited from the Greater Toronto Area and Kitchener-Waterloo. Ten participants completed in-depth interviews while 25 participants completed body maps within a series of focus group sessions. Through analysis of the verbal and visual data, four key findings emerged. First, participants experienced compromised healthcare due to structural barriers and unsupportive attitudes of healthcare providers. Second, participants’ experiences of compromised healthcare were impacted by systems of embodied differences. Third, participants resisted the system of compromised healthcare through strategies of self-management. Finally, participants described their experiences of helpful clinical practices, as well as their suggestions for improving FM healthcare services. The study contributes crucial information for the transformation of healthcare policies, programs and clinical practices for the FM population. As a form of applied research, the study has also helped give voice to and empower a marginalized population