OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine is an international peer-reviewed Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. It covers all evidence-based scientific studies on integrative, alternative and complementary approaches to improving health and wellness.

Topics contain but are not limited to:

  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure
  • Acupotomy
  • Bioelectromagnetics applications
  • Pharmacological and biological treatments including their efficacy and safety
  • Diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes
  • Herbal medicine
  • Homeopathy
  • Manual healing methods (e.g., massage, physical therapy)
  • Kinesiology
  • Mind/body interventions
  • Preventive medicine
  • Research in integrative medicine
  • Education in integrative medicine
  • Related policies

The journal publishes a variety of article types: Original Research, Review, Communication, Opinion, Comment, Conference Report, Technical Note, Book Review, etc.

There is no restriction on paper length, provided that the text is concise and comprehensive. Authors should present their results in as much detail as possible, as reviewers are encouraged to emphasize scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Publication Speed (median values for papers published in 2023): Submission to First Decision: 5.9 weeks; Submission to Acceptance: 14.7 weeks; Acceptance to Publication: 8 days (1-2 days of FREE language polishing included)

Special Issue

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nervous System Conditions

Submission Deadline: September 10, 2018 (Closed) Submit Now

Guest Editor

James D. Adams, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Website | E-Mail

Research Interests: California Indian healing; traditional healing; medicinal plants; phytochemistry; pharmacology; pain; stroke

About This Topic

The peripheral and central nervous systems are involved in many diseases, such as pain, hypertension, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Standard medicine does not adequately treat many of these conditions. Traditional medicine can offer complementary and alternative treatments that may be helpful.

Pain is usually treated with dangerous oral medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids. These drugs have major adverse reactions and kill many patients. Acupuncture and other skin centered therapies are more effective at treating pain, with fewer adverse reactions.

Hypertension is, in part, caused by excessive sympathetic activity that can be blocked with sympathetic antagonists. These drugs all have major adverse reactions and do not cure hypertension. Patients must stay on these drugs for the rest of their lives, like an addiction. The chances of patients suffering drug toxicity is probably 100% over their lifetimes. Traditional medicine offers the concept of balance that can help prevent and cure hypertension through avoiding toxic lifestyles.

Stroke results in paralysis of the limbs in many patients. Standard medicine is inadequate at helping with stroke recovery and paralysis. Traditional medicine offers medicines and physical therapy techniques that can greatly aid stroke patients. This issue will help expose the standard healthcare community to traditional medicines that can be helpful in treating nervous system conditions. Patient centered healthcare should emphasize prevention through avoiding toxic lifestyles and avoiding the use of standard drugs as much as possible.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted through the LIDSEN Submission System. Detailed information on manuscript preparation and submission is available in the Instructions for Authors. All submitted articles will be thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process and will be processed following the Editorial Process and Quality Control policy. Upon acceptance, the article will be immediately published in a regular issue of the journal and will be listed together on the special issue website, with a label that the article belongs to the Special Issue. LIDSEN distributes articles under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License in an open-access model. The authors own the copyright to the article, and the article can be free to access, distribute, and reuse provided that the original work is correctly cited.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). Research articles and review articles are highly invited. Authors are encouraged to send the tentative title and abstract of the planned paper to the Editorial Office (icm@lidsen.com) for record. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Office.

Welcome your submission!

Publication

Open Access Editorial

Highlights of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nervous System Conditions: An Interview with Dr. James David Adams, Jr.

Received: 24 May 2019;  Published: 24 May 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902032

Abstract

Highlights of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nervous System Conditions: An Interview with Dr. James David Adams, Jr.
Open Access Editorial

The Treatment of the Nervous System with Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 27 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901014

Abstract

The nervous system is everywhere in the body, especially in the skin. Ancient Chinese acupuncture charts show us that the nerves are all connected and can work together to promote health. This connection occurs through the brain and brain stem. It is clear that acupuncture is analgesic by inhibition of transient receptor potential cation [...]
Open Access Case Report

Chronic Pain after Reported Whiplash Injury – A Patient Case Report

Received: 13 April 2018;  Published: 25 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901012

Abstract

Abstract Chronic pain is notoriously multifactorial, multifaceted and difficult to treat. There is no known therapy recommended for chronic pain. Existence, or non-existence, of whiplash injury after a road traffic accident (RTA) has been discussed in literature and the press. Dishonest claims of a whiplash injury affect insurance premiums [...]
Open Access Review

Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Kratom: Succinct Introduction to the Basics and the Questions

Received: 27 July 2018;  Published: 28 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804038

Abstract

(1) Background: The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a tropical tree indigenous to Southeast Asia, have been used traditionally to increase stamina, as a digestive aid, and for pain relief. Defined as a novel psychoactive substance, it is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, aided by availability through the [...]
Open Access Case Report

Chronic Pain Two Cures

Received: 14 January 2018;  Published: 19 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804035

Abstract

Background: This study presents several anecdotal case reports of chronic pain patients cured with two different plant medicines from the Chumash Indian tradition. Methods: Patients suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, chronic bursitis, chronic tendinitis and other conditions were treated. California sagebrush (Artemisia californic [...]
Open Access Original Research

Complementary and alternative treatment of MS – A study of three cases

Received: 09 June 2018;  Published: 27 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804031

Abstract

Background: People suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) commonly use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) due to the partial efficacy of conventional treatment, the chronic aspect of MS, the impact of pain and the side effects of medication. An exploratory descriptive case study consisting of three cases was performed to document [...]
Open Access Review

What is the Current Evidence to Support the Use of Herbs and Supplements to Treat Mood and Anxiety Disorders?

Received: 10 March 2018;  Published: 13 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1804030

Abstract

Abstract: (1) Background: • Treatment of mood and anxiety disorders with supplements, herbs and nutraceuticals (dietary supplements) is at this point viewed as an integrative or alternative treatment, however these substances have been around for quite some time and are regarded as basic to the understanding of human biochemistry, physiolog [...]
Open Access Communication

Auricular Interventions in Neurology: the Vascular Autonomic Signal Challenge

Received: 09 May 2018;  Published: 25 June 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802012

Abstract

The Auricular approach to diagnostics and therapeutics has gained momentum over the last 15 years. Battlefield Acupuncture has taken on a life of its own and has been adopted into NATO and even been introduced into neonatal intensive care. It is time to take on the challenge of Auricular Medicine - the application of the neurophysiological [...]
Open Access Original Research

A Multi-modal Intervention after Stroke: The Caregiver Experience

Received: 07 March 2018;  Published: 11 June 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802010

Abstract

(1) Background: The Merged Yoga and Occupational Therapy intervention (MY-OT) focused on post-stroke fall prevention for the individual with stroke and included their caregivers in the 8-week intervention. (2) Methods: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to quantitatively assess changes in caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview [...]
Open Access Review

Healthcare Clowning: Use of Specific Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Hospitalized Children

Received: 16 February 2018;  Published: 31 May 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802009

Abstract

Clowning has a varied tradition and a long history. Recently, clowns have entered the medical setting and this has become an appreciated approach aimed at decreasing the negative emotions that can be experienced during hospitalization and medical procedures, as well as inducing positive feelings in patients, their relatives, and the hospital [...]
Open Access Review

How Can Acupuncture Be Used in Treating Dementia?

Received: 02 March 2018;  Published: 23 April 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802005

Abstract

(1) Background: Dementia erodes the quality of life of patients and their caregivers, and the growing dementia population threatens public finance in the health and social services. In addition to formal medical treatments, complementary and alternative medicine is applicable to dementia, in which acupuncture has become an option for preventio [...]
Open Access Case Report

Miraculous Healings of Chronic Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia and Sarcoidosis without the Use of Pharmaceuticals or Antibiotics

Received: 09 March 2018;  Published: 12 April 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802003

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic disease seen in the world today is actually due to the failure of our present knowledge base and its inability to discover the root cause of many disease states. Three seemingly unrelated case presentations - Fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease and Sarcoidosis are presented as examples of "miraculous healings [...]
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