Monthly Archives: September 2009

CAM and Religiosity

Posted on September 29, 2009 by skeptvet

I have often referred to CAM as “faith-based medicine” due to its reliance on belief over evidence for validation, and I have commented on my perception that such a belief-based approach resembles religion, for which I have been soundly chastised … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 9 Comments

From CFI – Paying for Non-Evidence Based Health Care

Posted on September 28, 2009 by skeptvet

The Office of Public Policy of the Center for Inquiry, a think tank an lobby devoted to science and reason in public policy, has issued a report warning of attempts by notorious CAM booster Tom Harkin and others to insert … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics | 6 Comments

From Respectful Insolence – New Study on CAM and Vaccines

Posted on September 22, 2009 by skeptvet

Orac at Respectful Insolence has posted a summary of a recent paper examining the relationship between usage of CAM (specifically defined as being treated by chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and massage therapists) treatments and vaccine rates. The study looked at children … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Vaccines | 4 Comments

Nutraceuticals and Cognitive Dysfunction

Posted on September 20, 2009 by skeptvet

There is widespread agreement among veterinary behaviorists, and veterinarians in general, that one consequence of the improved longevity of our patients has been an increase in clinical behavior problems associated with brain aging. Changes in sleep/wake cycles, activity level, housetraining … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 35 Comments

The Gonzalez Trial – The Cost of Studying The Unlikely

Posted on September 9, 2009 by skeptvet

 First, I just wanted to point out that I have added another example to the list of harm done by use of CAM. In this case, it’s a tragic story about a young women suffering needlessly yet unwilling to give … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM | 2 Comments

What’s the Harm?

Posted on September 6, 2009 by skeptvet

CAM proponents aggressively market their approaches with the assurance, often absolute and without qualification, that their methods never cause harm. And perhaps the most common response to critiques of CAM from people who consider themselves mildly skeptical of it but … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM | 3 Comments

From SBM – Why Unproven Does Not Mean Harmless

Posted on September 2, 2009 by skeptvet

This post examines a study suggesting that CAM use may decrease the success rate of in vitro fertilization efforts. It is similar to a previous study suggesting CAM use is associated with shorter life expectancy in cancer patients in that … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Miscellaneous CAVM | 1 Comment