Aug 2026· Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research· Vol 27, pp. 1-20· 0 citations
TL;DR
How far the mechanistic rationale offered for massage within naturopathy survives critical scrutiny, what the clinical literature can and cannot support, and where the methodological architecture of the field constrains further progress are assessed are assessed.
Abstract
Massage is among the oldest and most widely recognised components of naturopathic physical medicine, yet its position within the discipline has become unsettled. Naturopathic philosophy justifies manual therapy through claims about circulation, elimination, nervous regulation and the stimulation of self-healing capacity, whereas the contemporary evidence base evaluates massage as an isolated modality tested against pain, anxiety and function in narrowly defined populations. This review examines that divergence. Its purpose is to assess how far the mechanistic rationale offered for massage within naturopathy survives critical scrutiny, what the clinical literature can and cannot support, and where the methodological architecture of the field constrains further progress. Literature was identified through scholarly indexes and citation registries accessible during the review, supplemented by backward and forward citation searching, with the final search conducted on 9 June 2026. Four findings dominate the synthesis. Mechanotransduction in skeletal muscle has emerged as the most biologically credible mechanism, supported by human biopsy work and animal models, although the translational distance between molecular signalling and patient-reported benefit remains large. The cortisol hypothesis, long central to naturopathic and popular accounts of massage, is not supported by rigorous between-group analysis and should be retired as a primary explanatory device. Affective touch mediated by C-tactile afferents offers a more coherent account of the affective and analgesic responses observed in practice, though it has rarely been tested using recognisable massage protocols. Clinical benefit is most defensible for short-term pain and anxiety reduction in palliative, perioperative and musculoskeletal contexts, but certainty of evidence is consistently low, effect durability is poorly characterised, and expectancy appears to contribute substantially to observed outcomes. Progress requires adequately dosed, longer trials with credible comparators, standardised intervention reporting, and mechanistic work that connects tissue-level responses to symptoms patients care about. The naturopathic claim for massage remains plausible but is presently underdetermined by evidence.
The increasing burden of chronic, metabolic, and stress-related disorders has created a need for clinical models that emphasize prevention, lifestyle modification, individualized care, and long-term risk reduction. Ayurveda offers a structured framework for diet, behavior, metabolic regulation, constitutional assessment, and mind-body balance; however, its integration into contemporary clinical practice remains constrained by fragmented evidence, heterogeneous interventions, and variable methodological quality. This review examines the relevance of Ayurveda in preventive, metabolic, and mind-body medicine and evaluates how traditional principles may be aligned with evidence-based clinical care. A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify primarily English-language literature published between January 2015 and June 2026. Original clinical studies, randomized trials, observational and translational studies, systematic reviews, methodological studies, and relevant policy documents were selected according to their relevance to preventive, metabolic, mind-body, personalized, safety, and regulatory aspects of Ayurveda. The review was intended as an illustrative narrative synthesis rather than a comprehensive systematic review. The evidence suggests that Ayurveda is most appropriately positioned as an adjunctive framework for cardiometabolic risk reduction, diabetes and metabolic syndrome management, mood and sleep regulation, chronic pain care, and personalized prevention. Emerging fields such as Ayurgenomics, Ayurinformatics, microbiome research, and systems biology may support the translation of traditional constructs such as Prakriti into testable biomedical models. Responsible integration requires rigorous trial design, standardized formulations, transparent reporting, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory oversight. Overall, Ayurveda may contribute to patient-centered preventive and integrative care when applied through evidence-informed, safety-conscious, and clinically accountable models.
Rupendra Chandrakar, S. Sarkar, Archana Panchaxarimath et al.· Cureus· 0 citations
Growing interest in preventive, holistic, and patient-centered healthcare has increased attention toward naturopathy and traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) in the Philippines. Despite policy support through Republic Act No. 8423 and the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, evidence on naturopathy remains limited. This narrative literature review examined naturopathy practice in the Philippines from 2020 to 2026, focusing on regulatory frameworks, commonly utilized modalities, healthcare utilization, research developments, and existing challenges. Relevant literature was identified through PubMed and Google Scholar and synthesized using thematic narrative analysis. Findings indicate that naturopathy in the Philippines remains largely embedded within the broader TCAM framework, with herbal medicine, nutritional and lifestyle interventions, massage, acupuncture, and wellness-oriented practices representing the most commonly reported modalities. The literature suggests growing public acceptance and institutional recognition of naturopathy; however, progress is constrained by limited clinical evidence, inconsistent practitioner regulation, lack of standardized educational pathways, and challenges in integration with conventional health care. Overall, naturopathy demonstrates increasing relevance within Philippine preventive and integrative health care, but its advancement requires stronger evidence-based research, professional standardization, regulatory development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Emil Arca· Innovare journal of Ayurvedi...· 0 citations
Abstract Lipedema is a chronic disorder characterized by a disproportionate accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the extremities, typically sparing the hands and feet. It is commonly associated with pain, hypersensitivity, easy bruising, edema, and fibrotic nodules. Despite growing awareness, there is still no consensus on evidence-based therapeutic approaches. This integrative review aimed to identify physical therapy strategies described in the scientific literature for the assessment and conservative management of lipedema. Searches were conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, BVS, PEDro, Embase, and Cochrane databases, followed by critical appraisal and evidence synthesis, with applicable PRISMA-ScR checklist items used as a reporting guide for the study selection process. The findings indicate that physical therapy plays a key role in conservative treatment, particularly through complete decongestive therapy, compression therapy, exercise, manual therapy, and electrophysical agents. These interventions show potential benefits in reducing pain, improving functional capacity, controlling edema, and preventing disease progression. However, the available evidence remains limited, underscoring the need for more robust clinical trials to support evidence-based physical therapy practice in the treatment of lipedema.
D. Modena, J. Baiocchi, E. C. de Oliveira Guirro· Jornal Vascular Brasileiro· 0 citations
Evaluating critically how historical nosology, molecular pathology and emerging gene-directed interventions relate to one another is evaluated, and to determine which conclusions the accessible evidence can currently sustain are evaluated.
S. Bittmann, E. Luchter, E. Moschüring-Alieva· Journal of Advances in Medic...· 0 citations
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is associated with substantial physical, psychological, and socioeconomic burden. Despite the availability of conventional pharmacological and non pharmacological treatments, many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms, leading to increased interest in integrative approaches that combine homeopathy with general medical care. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the safety and efficacy of combining homeopathy with mainstream medicine in the treatment of CMP. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards were followed in conducting the review. For original research published between 2015 and 2026, electronic databases were thoroughly explored. Studies evaluating integrative homeopathic and conventional medical interventions were encompassed. A general risk-of bias framework was used to evaluate the risk of bias, and data on research characteristics, treatments, clinical outcomes, and methodological quality were retrieved and synthesised narratively. Nine studies satisfied the requirements for inclusion. Overall, the results showed that integrative methods were linked to increases in patient satisfaction, quality of life, physical function, and pain severity. There was no consistent indication of significant side effects, and the therapies were typically well tolerated. However, direct comparisons between studies were hampered by variations in research design, intervention procedures, and outcome measures. All things considered, combining homeopathy with conventional medicine seems to be a viable supplemental approach for the treatment of CMP. To enhance the present body of evidence, however, more excellent randomised controlled trials with standardised therapies and extended follow-up are needed.
Divyam Goyal, Neel S. Dave, Atrideb Mishra et al.· Genetics and Molecular Resea...· 0 citations
INTRODUCTION. Natural healing factors (NHF) — mineral waters, therapeutic mud, climate, and saline solutions — have a centuries-long history of use in pediatrics. However, to date, there is no systematic analysis of the evidence base for the effectiveness of NHF for various childhood diseases, with a gradation of levels of evidence according to GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria.
AIM. To conduct a systematic analysis of modern scientific data on the effectiveness of natural healing factors in children, structure the evidence base by nosological groups, and identify promising areas for the development of pediatric balneology.
MAIN CONTENT OF THE REVIEW. A search of publications was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and eLIBRARY.RU databases for the period 2000–2025. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies were included. Evidence was assessed using the GRADE criteria. The analysis included 42 studies, including 8 systematic reviews with meta-analysis, 12 randomized controlled trials, and 22 observational studies. The strongest evidence base (levels A–B) was found for the use of mineral waters and salt baths in respiratory diseases (asthma, recurrent respiratory infections), skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis), and musculoskeletal disorders (juvenile arthritis). Level C–B evidence was established for the use of therapeutic mud and climatotherapy in diseases of the nervous system, digestive organs, and genitourinary system. High potential for extrapolation of these studies to pediatric practice was identified, consistent with modern approaches to developing medicines for children.
CONCLUSION. Natural therapeutic factors have proven efficacy in a wide range of childhood diseases. The highest level of evidence has been established for balneotherapy for respiratory, dermatological, and rheumatological pathologies. Key limitations of the evidence base include heterogeneity of treatment protocols, small sample sizes in some studies, and insufficient validation of pediatric efficacy assessment scales. Further randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols are needed to improve the level of evidence and expand the indications for the use of NHF in pediatrics.
N. Prilipko, N. Mokina, M. Nikitin et al.· Bulletin of Rehabilitation M...· 0 citations
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