The Effect of a Persian Medicine Massage (Dalk and Ghamz) on Neck Pain and Disability in Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Dalk and Ghamz on pain and disability in patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 37 patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain. Dalk and Ghamz massage were performed once a week for four sessions and the neck pain was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS). In addition, the neck disability index (NDI) was used to assess the disability related to neck disorder. Data were analyzed with the SPSS software. RESULTS: Among 37 patients, 85.5% were female and 13.5% were male. A significant decrease in VAS score was observed during the study (F = 57.77, p < 0.001). The NDI score decreased from 27.27 ± 5.83 to 19.08 ± 7.71 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dalk and Ghamz massage in patients with nonspecific neck pain could reduce pain and disability.

Prevention and Treatment of Flatulence From a Traditional Persian Medicine Perspective.

CONTEXT: The feeling of abdominal fullness, bloating, and movement of gas in the abdomen is a very uncomfortable sensation termed flatulence. Since flatulence is one of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms that is bothersome to patients, it is important to identify effective methods to resolve this issue. In modern medicine, management of flatulence is often not satisfactory. On the other hand, traditional systems of medicine can be considered good potential sources to find new approaches for preventing and treating flatulence. The aim of this study is to review flatulence treatments from a traditional Persian medicine (TPM) viewpoint. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In this study, the reasons for flatulence and methods for its prevention and treatment are reviewed in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) texts and then related with evidence from modern medicine by searching in databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and IranMedex. RESULTS: From a traditional Persian scholar viewpoint, one of the most important causes of flatulence is an incorrect manner of eating; valuable advice to correct bad eating habits will be illustrated. In addition, traditional practitioners describe some herbs and vegetables as well as herbal compounds that are effective food additives to relieve flatulence. The anti-flatulent effect of most of these herbs has been experimentally verified using modern medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Attention to TPM can lead to the identification of new preventive and curative approaches to avoid and treat flatulence. In addition, Persian viewpoints from the medieval era regarding flatulence are historically important.

Criteria for evidence-based practice in Iranian traditional medicine.

The major difference between Iranian traditional medicine and allopathic medicine is in the application  of  evidence  and  documents.  In  this  study,  criteria  for  evidence-based  practice  in  Iranian traditional medicine and its rules of practice were studied. The experts' views were investigated through in- depth, semi-structured interviews and the results were categorized into four main categories including Designing clinical questions/clinical question-based search, critical appraisal, resource search criteria and clinical prescription appraisal. Although the application of evidence in Iranian traditional medicine follows Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) principles but it benefits from its own rules, regulations, and criteria that are compatible with EBM.