Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68012
news notes COMPILED BY SEAN EADS A research team at Duke University found acupuncture works better than aspirin in relieving and reducing the severity of chronic head pain. 2009 SPA TRENDS SpaFinder released its list of the top trends for spa professionals to watch in 2009. What will patrons be looking for? Energy medicine, featuring reiki, qigong, and chakra balancing figure to be prominent services spas should offer in the coming year. Medical tourism, eco-friendly environments, brain health, and a notable demographic switch in core clientele from baby boomers to 20- and 30-somethings are among the major interests expected to power spa services for 2009. SpaFinder's full report on the future of spas can be found at www.blog.spafinder.com. CAM and Pediatrics The American Academy of Pediatrics released a clinical report addressing the increased use and interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in children's healthcare. The report's goals included giving a definition of CAM terminology, listing the most popular CAM therapies currently in use, discussing education requirements of CAM providers, and reviewing the legal, ethical, and research implications of CAM in pediatrics. With reports suggesting many pediatricians are unfamiliar with CAM and therefore unable to counsel and question their patients' families about alternative treatments, the AAP's clinical review is also designed to increase communication between practitioners and their clients regarding CAM treatments. The report was published in the December 2008 issue of Pediatrics. 16 massage & bodywork march/april 2009 Acupuncture for Headaches A research team at Duke University found acupuncture works better than aspirin in relieving and reducing the severity of chronic head pain. A review of studies involving almost 4,000 participants showed 62 percent of patients suffering from tension headaches and migraines reported significant pain reduction following acupuncture treatments, as opposed to 45 percent using only pharmaceuticals. Acupuncture also produced fewer harmful side effects, though many participants showed initial reluctance to using acupuncture because they associated the use of needles itself with pain. Results of the study were published in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia.