Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy

by Orrin Devinsky MD, Steven V. Pacia, Steven Shachter

Epilepsy is a difficult illness to control; up to 35% of patients do not respond fully to traditional medical treatments. For this reason, many sufferers choose to rely on or incorporate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into their treatment regimens. Written for physicians, knowledgeable laypersons, and other professionals, Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy bridges the worlds of traditional medicine and CAM to foster a broader perspective of healthcare for patients.

The book respects cultural differences that may incorporate alternative medicine into a medical management program, and encourages patients to safely continue receiving necessary medical treatments. Wherever possible, scientific evidence supports the choice of treatment modalities, as well as the effectiveness of a combined traditional and CAM approach. Readers will find incisive discussions in sections on:

Learning to Reduce Seizures
Asian, Herbal and Homeopathic Therapies
Nutritional Therapies
Alternative Medical Therapies
Oxygen Therapies
Manipulation and Osteopathic Therapies
Music, Art, and Pet Therapies

From stress and epilepsy, to acupuncture, massage, craniosacral therapies, homeopathy, ketogenic diets, aromatherapy, hypnosis, and more, the book is all-inclusive and enlightening. Additional commentary by the editors provides a critical vantage point from which to interpret the data and viewpoints of the contributors, all experts in the therapies presented. This balanced, scientific approach will appeal to even those most skeptical of alternative therapies, making the book essential for every professional who seeks to provide the broadest range of effective patient care.

330 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Caveat Emptor!

Orrin Devinsky fraudulently billed for 3 1/2 years after having been paid in full to an insurance he did not take at the time United Healthcare (double billing and even triple billing) for services never rendered, and billing as the doctor seen, when he was not.

Go to Yelp to see a full description of his unlawful and unethical conduct, including copies of paid bills that were improperly submitted and the corresponding EOBs, including opened investigations by the insurance company United Healthcare, who pulled back money for extensive fraud, as well as documents prepared by my attorney for the state investigators regarding the extensive fraudulent practices by Orrin Devinsky, Daniel Friedman, and Siddhartha Nadkarni.

The information also describes his failure to elevate serious unlawful conduct by Siddhartha Nadkarni, as the Dir of the center, both to the hospital and law enforcement, as required by state and federal law. Worse, he charged me and my insurance for a few minute conversation to make him aware of Siddhartha Nadkarni's improper care in providing undated prescriptions for controlled substance due to his erratic behavior, and inability to reach him, or rely on him to provide routine prescriptions, much less returned calls, or appointments. I also incurred significant malicious retaliation in the form of spoliation of my medical record and was threatened for having appropriately elevated these serious matters to the proper authorities. Orrin Devinsky could not care less about patients or patient care. In my experience, he is an individual who is amoral, and whose motives are purely mercenary.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an absolute wealth of information on CAM for epilepsy. They include each therapy's merits as well as any drawbacks. I appreciated that each chapter was written by the expert(s) in the field and then the main authors gave an objective evaluation of it. They acknowledge the potential that most of these therapies have to help the many people living with epilepsy, though most really need more and/or better scientific studies done. I would highly recommend this book for anyone whose epilepsy isn't well controlled with medications.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the epilepsy enthusiast's library ;)