Humanistic Medicine Reading List
Journal Articles
- Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease, Ornish D et al. JAMA, 16 December 1998, pp. 2001-2007. (Abstract)
(Note: this is a 5-year follow-up in a study involving what's commonly called "the Dean Ornish" program. I've had physicians tell me that this isn't alternative medicine anymore -- but once upon a time, the idea that coronary atherosclerosis could be reversed through diet, exercise, and stress management training was revolutionary.)
- The Nov 11, 1998 issue of JAMA was devoted entirely to topics in CAM.
- Alternative Medicine -- The Risks of Untested and Unregulated Remedies [editorial] Angell M, Kassirer JP. NEJM, Sept 17 1998, pp. 839-841. (Full text available online for registered users) (Note: Many people have heard about this editorial on the news, and want to read it for themselves. Please be aware that it is an editorial, and not the presentation of the results of a specific study. For another viewpoint on the testing of alternative therapies, read On Double Blinds and Double Standards: A response to the recent New England Journal editorial, Dossey L, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, November 1998; p. 18)
- Why patients use alternative medicine: results of a national study. Astin, J. JAMA, May 20 1998; pp. 1548-1553. (Abstract)
- A close look at therapeutic touch. Rosa, L et al. JAMA, April 1 1998; pp. 1005-1010. (Full Text)
(Note: This article has generated a great deal of controversy, in view not only of the accompanying editorial which drew sweeping conclusions from a single study, but also for the design of the experiment. Critiques of the article have been published in other journals; see, for example, the letter "Previously published results may help deflate TT controversy", GE Schwartz and LG Russek. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, Sept. 1998, p. 112. - JLH)
- Sodium reduction and weight loss in the treatment of hypertension in older persons: a randomized controlled trial of nonpharmacologic interventions in the elderly (TONE). Whelton, PK et al. JAMA, March 18 1998; pp. 839-846. (Abstract)
- Advising patients who seek alternative medical therapies. Eisenberg DM. Annals of Internal Medicine 1997; 127: 61-69.
- Effects of Mental Stress on Myocardial Ischemia During Daily Life, Gullette et al., JAMA, May 28 1997, pp. 1521-1526.
General Interest Books
- The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures. Anne Fadiman. 1998. ISBN: 0374525641.
- Illness and Culture in the Postmodern Age. David B. Morris. Berkeley: U of C P, 2000. ISBN: 0520226895.
CAM
- The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzrono, N.D. A concise, well-researched and comprehensive guide.
- Health and Healing: Understanding Conventional and Alternative Medicine Today by Andrew Weil, M.D.
- Natural Health, Natural Medicine by Andrew Weil, M.D. Comprehensive manual for wellness and self-care, with excellent sections on herbal and home remedies.
- Reinventing Medicine. Larry Dossey. Harper Collins, 1999. ISBN: 1402842651.
- Vibrational Medicine: The #1 Handbook of Subtle-Energy Therapies. Richard Gerber. 3rd Ed. 2001. ISBN: 1879181584.
Mind-Body Medicine
- Love, Medicine, and Miracles. Bernie Siegel, M.D.
- The Relaxation Response by Herbert Bensen, M. D. Great information on stress and stress management through easy-to-learn breathing techniques that can be done anywhere to calm and quiet the mind in a matter of minutes.
- Anatomy of an Illness, as Perceived by the Patient. Norman Cousins. ISBN: 0393041905.
Wellness
- The Moosewood Cookbook by Molly Katzen
- Dr. Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease by Dean Ornish, M.D. Groundbreaking scientific research on holistic healing.
- DK Living: Yoga Mind And Body. Sivananda Yoga Center, Dorling Kindersley Publishing. ISBN: 078943301X.
- Yoga: Mastering the Basics. Sandra Anderson, Rolf Sovik. ISBN: 089389155X. Great book with which to start a personal yoga practice. Good section on sequences of poses. Good photos. Fun to read.
- Yoga: The Lyengar Way: The Path to Holistic Health. B. K. Iyengar. ISBN: 0789471655.
- Gesundheit!: Bringing Good Health to You, the Medical System, and Society Through Physician Service, Complementary Therapies, Humor and Joy. Patch Adams, With Maureen Mylander, Foreword by M.D. Matthew Budd.
- Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power. Andrew Weil.
Self-Reflection and Internal Balance
- Poetic Medicines: The Healing Art of Poem-Making. John Fox. Putnam, 1998. ISBN: 0874778824.