New Study:
Acupuncture as Safe Alternative to
Celebrex, Vioxx

New studies show acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative choice for pain with the recent withdrawal of Vioxx from the market due to its association with increased heart attack risk. New studies are also casting a similar cloud of suspicion over both Celebrex and Aleve-bad news for people with chronic pain who use these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) on a long-term basis.

In the largest, longest and most rigorous study of acupuncture to date, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine recently reported that acupuncture is effective in improving function and reducing pain in people with osteoarthritis of the knee.

"Acupuncture remains one of the most effective natural therapies for managing chronic pain, like osteoarthritis, and has been deemed effective by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for this purpose." notes San Francisco's expert on natural health, Dr. Carl Hangee-Bauer, a licensed acupuncturist and naturopathic doctor. Many people suffering from osteoarthritis use NSAIDs, like Celebrex and Vioxx, on an ongoing basis to manage their pain and inflammation when there are proven natural therapies that are safer and very effective. Hangee-Bauer is founder of the SOMA Acupuncture & Natural Health Clinic in San Francisco where he has successfully treated patients with chronic pain.

"Furthermore," reports Dr. Hangee-Bauer, "there are a variety of herbal medicines both from traditional Chinese medicine and western botanical traditions prescribed by naturopathic doctors which have been shown to effectively manage pain, reduce inflammation and improve function in people suffering from chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. These alternatives give people credible choices when faced with finding new ways to manage their chronic pain safely."

Dr. Hangee-Bauer is an expert in natural medicine with advanced degrees in naturopathic medicine and acupuncture and 20 years experience treating people with chronic pain. He was recently appointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger to the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine Advisory Council to help implement California's new law licensing naturopathic doctors.

SOMA Acupuncture & Natural Health Clinic Carl Hangee-Bauer, ND, LAc 1615 20th St • San Francisco CA 94107 • 415-643-6600 Website: www.SOMAacupuncture.com Naturopathic Medicine • Acupuncture • Herbal Medicine • Supplements Nutrition • Women's Health • Weight Loss • Breast Thermography Smoking Cessation • Work-Related Injuries