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KNEE PAIN Researchers from Slovakia's Comenius University School of Medicine reported the results of a study confirming pycnogenol as a pain reliever for knee osteoarthritis. Pycnogenol, a pine tree extract, was found to reduce symptoms of knee osteoarthritis by nearly 21 percent and lowered pain by about 40 percent, with the positive effects lingering up to two weeks after discontinued use. The results suggest pycnogenol could serve as a natural alternative to cortisone shots, analgesics, and surgical intervention. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 34 percent of the U.S. adult population over 65 in the suffers from knee osteoarthritis. The reports were published in the August 2008 issue of Journal of Phytotherapy Research. PINE TREE EXTRACT FOR American Ginseng Cancer Study The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is committing $6 million to a five-year study of the cancer-fighting properties of American ginseng. The grant money was awarded to the University of Chicago Medical Center and will be used to create the Center for Herbal Research on Colorectal Cancer, a facility dedicated to the scientific analysis of herbal medicine. The center's first three studies will examine ginseng's ability to kill cancer cells, alter gene expression in tumor cells, and manipulate the internal signals that regulate cell growth and death. For more information, visit www.nccam.nih.gov. Alternative Medicine for the Troops The Pentagon is pursuing alternative medicine to treat combat injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in our troops. According to Dr. S. Ward Casscells, the Pentagon's assistant secretary for health affairs, this decision represents a major departure from the military's traditional treatment options. Acupuncture, yoga, and meditation are among the alternative therapies being explored. The Pentagon committed $5 million to fund research in 2008, compared to no spending in this area previously. The army has accepted 10 proposals for 2009. The Pentagon estimates 300,000 veterans are now suffering from PTSD or depression. visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 17