by Leigh Ann Otte, Managing Editor

If “rub it” seems like sissy advice for your throbbing cluster headaches, aching back or worrisome arthritis pain, perhaps “burn it” will do the trick?

Capsaicin creams and sprays burn away the pain, so to speak, with the same chemical that makes peppers hot. These medicines make your body use up the substance triggering your pain. Integrative medicine physician Andrea E. Gordon explains in our article “Capsaicin Treatment: How Hot Peppers May Help Burn Away Headache and Arthritis Pain.”

Of course, the question is, is the cure worse than the treatment? In some cases, maybe; in others, maybe not, says Dr. Gordon. One thing’s for sure: Don’t get it in your eyes. “Capsaicin oleoresin is an oily extract used in pepper self-defense sprays!” Dr. Gordon says.

You can find capsaicin treatments in your pharmacy, but some applications require a health-care provider’s supervision. (Read the article for more on that.)

Have you tried capsaicin cream or spray? What was it like? Did it work?

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by Leigh Ann Otte, Managing Editor

Did you know that properly stored honey never spoils? Yep, and it may help wounds from spoiling too. Integrative physician Robert Pendergrast explains:

[Honey] has strong antibacterial activity, mainly because of its low water/high sugar concentration: It literally sucks all the water out of bacteria.

Honey seems to be an effective wound treatment in certain situations. Of course, there are important precautions and guidelines. Find out more by checking out our article. It also covers whether a nighttime dose of honey can treat children’s coughs and whether bee stings—yes, stings—can treat arthritis. (Do be sure to read the precautions. For example, never give honey to a child under 12 months because of botulism risk.)

MyFamilyDoctorMag.com, giving a whole new meaning to “licking your wounds” …

Pssst … sign up for our free e-newsletter! You’ll get fascinating articles delivered once a month.

by Leigh Ann Otte, managing editor

Just around the corner loom … dum, dum, duuuuum … New Year’s resolutions! Let the dieting begin!

This week, we focus on one type of diet that has not only your waist size but your entire physical health in mind: the food combining theory.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

A government survey recently revealed that 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children used complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) in the U.S. in 2007.  But how did they define CAM? What is conventional medicine?  And why do people use CAM, anyway?

These and more answered by your favorite family doctor :).  OK, second best, I’ll give you my opinions.

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by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Companies that market fake cures for cancer are unbelievable. They take hope and money from people at their most vulnerable. In addition, they take away valuable time that these people don’t have. Some cures actually do direct harm.

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