"The Transcendental Meditation Program, a widely-used standardized program to reduce stress, showed significant decreases in blood pressure and improved mental health in young adults at risk for hypertension," said David Haaga, PhD, co-author of the study and professor of psychology at American University in Washington, D.C. [More]

The University of Illinois at Chicago has received a two-year, $1.2 million federal grant to develop a new method to identify the contents of botanical dietary supplements and how they work. [More]

New research findings presented today at the Society for Integrative Oncology's (SIO) Sixth International Conference in New York show promise in assessing the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) using traditional research methods. [More]

A three-year project called CAMbrella will receive nearly 1.5 million euros of European Union funding to establish a research network for the study of complementary medicine. The Center for Naturopathic Research at "Rechts der Isar," the university hospital of the Technische Universitaet Muenchen will coordinate the project for the winning applicant group, which includes 16 scientific organizations from 12 European countries. [More]

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center found that yoga may be more effective than standard treatment for reducing chronic low back pain in minority populations. This study appears in the November issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. [More]

A new study suggests that the inner sense of our cardiovascular state, our "interoceptive awareness" of the heart pounding, relies on two independent pathways, contrary to what had been asserted by prominent researchers. [More]

As consumers look to save money in a tough economy, many turn to alternative health care options. CBS 4 reports: "Health care costs are soaring. Thousands of people are without jobs and without the benefits afforded them. Now, those people are turning to preventative or alternative measures. ... The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) shows 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of kids are now using alternative therapies to treat pain. In fact, Americans are now reportedly spending $34 billion a year on alternative therapies" (Demos, 10/26). [More]

Acumedspa Holdings, Inc., which owns and operates multiple Medical Spa locations throughout South Florida has agreed to begin using AcuClaims for 100 % of insurance verification and billing services. [More]

While the Unites States Congress is busy debating the high costs of health care reform, TreatmentReport.com aims to promote health system efficiency by making treatment information structured and transparent. On the site, people with health conditions can review and share treatment experiences with those researching their options. [More]

AcuMedSpa Holdings, Inc., which owns and operates multiple Medical Spa locations throughout South Florida has reached an agreement to launch a major Online Marketing Campaign as well as improve AMSZ's web presence through SEO and website redesign and user friendliness with ARC Media Consultants. [More]

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin (Anthem) announced today the expansion of its industry-leading transparency initiative to northcentral Wisconsin. Now, all members in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas and Wood counties will be able to access Anthem Care Comparison, an online tool that provides information about the costs of 35 specific medical procedures performed at local area hospitals, outpatient surgery centers and free-standing radiology facilities. [More]

A new nationwide survey released today reveals that just 12 percent of parents with children under the age of 18 have spoken to their child's doctor about complementary and integrative approaches to medicine, yet nearly 90 percent say they want to know more. [More]

The National Institutes of Health announced today that it is awarding 15 new grants to further develop and test the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). [More]

Women with breast cancer reduced stress and improved their mental health and emotional well being through the Transcendental Meditation technique, according to a new study published in the current issue of the peer-reviewed Integrative Cancer Therapies (Vol. 8, No. 3: September 2009). [More]

Humana Inc. announced today an expansion of its Medicare offerings in California. Beginning on November 15, individuals eligible for Medicare in Fresno, San Bernardino and Riverside counties can enroll in a local Humana Gold Plus HMO plan – for a January 1, 2010 effective date. [More]