Comments for Pain Health News

Comment on Phony Chronic Pain Advice–The Reason You Should Research Everything You Read Before You Act On It by Bonnie Boots

Bonnie Boots — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:09:15 +0000

Thank you for pointing out the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and the spice sold in most grocery stores. This is a perfect example of why it’s so important to check carefully–preferably with a trusted health care expert–before using any substance for healing. Most people would not imagine that something as ordinary as “cinnamon” could pose a health risk, and wouldn’t think to tell their doctor they’re using it. I recently learned that a friend in her 80’s had stopped taking her prescribed medication and begun taking large amounts of “cinnamon,” (actually cassia, as elsbennet points out) because a neighbor had shown her the exact article I complained about in this post. “It’s just cinnamon,” she told me. “It can’t hurt to try.” I had a hard time convincing her it COULD “hurt to try,” because she’s also a believer in “They couldn’t print it if it wasn’t true.”

Comment on Phony Chronic Pain Advice–The Reason You Should Research Everything You Read Before You Act On It by Elspeth

Elspeth — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:52:57 +0000

Good article and great advice about the need to check thoroughly into spurious claims on the internet. I'd like to point out, however, that true cinnamon (also known as Ceylon cinnamon) contains only a neglible amount of the blood-thinning phytochemical coumarin. The "cinnamon" most readily available in U.S. stores is actually cassia, which does indeed have high concentrations of coumarin. Cassia in large doses can damage the liver and kidneys, in addition to thinning the blood. Unfortunately, since cassia is labeled as "cinnamon" most people would not know the difference.

Comment on Phony Chronic Pain Advice–The Reason You Should Research Everything You Read Before You Act On It by Bonnie Boots

Bonnie Boots — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:50:51 +0000

Yes, and because people crave easy answers, there are always scam artists, hucksters and pranksters willing to give easy answers. We always have to remember the internet is a double-edged sword. On the one side, it brings a world of solid information we couldn’t find any other way. On the other side, it brings a lot of misinformation and outright lies, often from seemingly reputable sources. It can take a lot of research to tell one from the other.

Comment on Phony Chronic Pain Advice–The Reason You Should Research Everything You Read Before You Act On It by Lynnette

Lynnette — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:10:07 +0000

Thank you for this article, I was trying to find info on how antioxidant levels compare between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia, and found a reference to the Copenhagen study. Trying to find backup, I found your article instead and couldn't agree more. It is a bummer to have to be so skeptical (not to mention how much time it takes to fact-check,) but it does seem that some people will say anything, and that many others are way too willing to repeat anything. It seems life has become so complicated, and people crave easy answers. The truth is better.

Comment on Adequate Health Care Is A MUST For All People Struggling With Chronic Pain And Disability! by Bonnie Boots

Bonnie Boots — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:54:09 +0000

Sadly, everyone with chronic pain is told this by a doctor at one time or another. There’s no excuse for it!

Comment on If A Paralyzed Man Can Walk, Chronic Pain Patients Can Heal by Bonnie Boots

Bonnie Boots — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:02:57 +0000

There’s news every day of both miracles and medical advances being made in this field. My prayer and my hope is that your husband finds both, Connie.

Comment on If A Paralyzed Man Can Walk, Chronic Pain Patients Can Heal by Connie

Connie — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:03:21 +0000

Thank you so much for giving me hope- I really needed to hear it tonight- I will always live in hope for my husband Ted-

Comment on Adequate Health Care Is A MUST For All People Struggling With Chronic Pain And Disability! by John

John — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:56:31 +0000

The worst thing is to be told it's all in your head by a doctor, who took an oath to provide care to people.

Comment on Phony Chronic Pain Advice–The Reason You Should Research Everything You Read Before You Act On It by Bonnie Boots

Bonnie Boots — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:20:45 +0000

Far from moving towards providing high-quality information, government agencies are moving towards restricting or even prohibiting important information that would allow people to make educated decisions about their own health care. Case in point–the recent attack on Dr. Andrew Weil who responded to reports that there was a shortage of H1N1 vaccine by stating that recent scientific studies widely reported in medical journals showed antioxidents were as effective as the swine flu vaccine. Rather than thank him for helping to quell public fears, the government threatened him. So long as the government relies on profit-driven corporations to determine what information is “acceptable,” we will always have to fight for freedom of information.

Comment on Phony Chronic Pain Advice–The Reason You Should Research Everything You Read Before You Act On It by Bonnie Boots

Bonnie Boots — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:05:06 +0000

Michael, I did not record the location where I found the statement, only that I found it by searching Google for the terms Copenhagen University + arthritis + honey. It was probably 30 or more pages back in the search results. The first 29 pages all listed links to reprints of the original fake “news.” Seeing that was a good lesson in how few people check facts before reporting information on a blog or web site. And that’s the reason it so important for all of us to do our own checking!