CAMLAW: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Law Blog : Complementary, Alternative, & Integrative Medicine Law, Regulation, Ethics & Policy (Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Medical Spa Information, Holistic Health Attorney, and Legal Resources)

Palliative care discussion to include CAM:

Tuesday, December 8^th at the Town and Country Convention Center in San Diego, Dr. Charles F. von Gunten will host a lecture on Palliative Care Options for Mesothelioma Patients. The Associate Clinical Professor at the Institute of Palliative Medicine at San Diego, California holds an expertise in palliative medicine and medical oncology.

The seminar will open to family members, health care providers and diagnosed with mesothelioma. Dr. von Gunten will provide current information on various treatment options, medicine and procedures available to those suffering from this form cancer.

Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive form of cancer that is mainly caused by the inhalation of asbestos fiber. This illness occurs when the asbestos fibers attack the mesothelium, a protective thin layer of cells that protects the body’s inner organs.

Often taking anywhere from 20-50 years to diagnose, mesothelioma is often discovered in the later stages of the cancer. Given this, aggressive treatment regimes are required for those living with mesothelioma.

Doctors like Charles F. von Gunten, are welcomed by those fighting this rare cancer, as palliative care is necessary and in high demand for these individuals. Because of the intense treatment protocol, including chemotherapy, radiation and other surgeries, palliative care is very important for mesothelioma patient’s overall comfort and wellness.

Therapies that are being introduced in the complementary medicine options are treatments such as massage, acupuncture and even the practice of yoga. Patients have found these therapies to be beneficial to their mental and physical state while undergoing traditional treatment. Please consult your doctor before using any complementary therapy, since every case of mesothelioma is unique.

CAM program is launched in Otago!

The place of complementary medicine in primary health care has been considered by GPs in a course at the University of Otago.

The course, the first in New Zealand, was held at Dunedin School of Medicine.

Senior lecturer Dr Monika Clark-Grill said there had always been a historic split between conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine in New Zealand, but with more people using complementary health treatments, it was becoming "a must" for GPs to have knowledge of the field.

While people "naturally go to doctors when they need a diagnosis or to be treated", many also went to complementary health practitioners about long-term health issues, to support other medical therapy or to maintain general wellness.

One GP was surprised to discover, when she asked her patients about it while doing the course, that at least 80% of them were "taking something or seeing somebody".

She had no previous knowledge of complementary health treatments and had since decided to collaborate with practitioners.

The course introduced GPs to complementary treatments such as herbal medicine, Reiki, traditional Chinese medicine and homeopathy.

It also looked at the high use of complementary medicine, research, and regulation and funding of complementary medicine in New Zealand and other countries.

In Switzerland this year, five complementary medicines, including homeopathy and herbal medicine, became publicly funded treatments after a public referendum.

Our law firm has many successes with health care and business law clients, whose practices are transforming the business and health care landscape as we know it.

Michael H. Cohen is an attorney providing business legal advice to green entrepreneurs and companies, and health care law advice to businesses and physicians, acupuncturists, naturopaths, homeopaths and others in the holistic health, wellness, and green industries. As a founding attorney of the Global Vision Law Group, he represents businesses poised for vertical lift, whose leaders are conscious, intuitive, and committed to shaping a better world. Michael also advises medical spas and integrative medicine clinics, physicians, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, massage therapists, energy healers, nutritionists and herbalists, dietary supplement and cosmetics companies, and businesses with bio-energy and other technologies and medical devices. Michael offers the Entrepreneur’s Legal Toolkit as a series of legal guides to businesses. The first legal e-book deals with Contract Essentials, giving legal tips every business needs to negotiate its legal agreements; the second addresses legal issues faced by multi-level marketing companies and individuals involved in multilevel marketing and direct sales; and the third one so far is a HIPAA Regulations and Privacy Manual at far less the cost than it would take for an attorney to prepare.

Michael also sponsors Being Central, a Portal for Potential, which gives access to other, pre-paid legal services. 

Read reviews of Michael’s work on the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Law Blog. And visit the Flat Rate Legal Services page for information on legal services offered at a flat rate or project fee (such as incorporation for entrepreneurs, review and drafting of business contracts, trademark, and health law services for CAM providers and others).

Michael’s clientele  through the Global Vision Law Group includes businesses not only in California, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and other U.S. states, but also abroad. To speak with a lawyer about health care law issues pertaining to complementary and alternative medicine, or to consult a business lawyer about laws and legal issues for entrepreneurs and new enterprises that are seeking legal advice, contact the Global Vision Law Group today.