Research and Paywalls: Homeopathy Plus regularly reports on homeopathic research, past and present, but we can’t link to complete research papers if they are behind a journal paywall - we can only provide a summary and abstract. If you wish to access a full paper from behind a paywall, please click on the link provided for the publisher’s purchase options.
Homeopathy Tops Northern Ireland Study
A Northern Ireland Government study determined that alternative and complementary therapies offer significant health benefits for patients, plus savings in government healthcare costs – and that homeopathy did the best of all!
Therapies involved in the study included acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy and massage. Patients who received homeopathic treatment had the greatest improvement (79%), followed by acupuncture (77%) and chiropractic or osteopathy (56%).
Health Problems Treated
Patients were referred by local doctors, often when conventional treatment could not help, for problems such as:
- Arthritis
- Joint, back and neck pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Myalgic encephalitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Stress related problems
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Anger and aggressiveness
- Headaches and migraines
- Shaking and trembling
- Chest infections
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Psoriasis
Improved Health and Well-being
The study produced numerous positive findings, some of which were:
- Over 80% of patients reported an improvement in their symptoms and physical health
- 67% recorded and improvement in their general wellbeing
- 55% reduced their use of painkillers
The majority of patients reported there had been:
- Relief of their chronic conditions
- Reduction in pain
- Improved mobility and energy
- Increased emotional stability
- A reduction in the amount they worried about their condition.
Two thirds took less time off work while others were able to consider returning to work.
Reports included heart-warming statements such as, ‘I feel alive again, instead of being dead’; ‘I now have hope’.
If you too have been struggling with an entrenched health problem, maybe it’s not time to give up yet? Homeopathy or one of the other therapies may offer hope for you.
More Information
This study, with other detailed responses from patients, GPs and practitioners, can be read in full at: Final Report.
Source: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety : Evaluation – Complementary and Alternative Medicines Pilot Project in Northern Ireland, May 2008
