MRI is currently the gold standard for identifying radicular pathology, but unfortunately, it requires preauthorization, which isn’t easy to obtain. Physical tests are what most practitioners depend on – despite the marginal reliability of the tests. The information in this article brings history and observation to the forefront of radicular diagnostics. Each factor listed can significantly increase the clinician’s ability to diagnose radiculopathies.
Office of Alternative Medicine Goes Online
The National Institutes of Health's Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) was created in 1991 to identify and evaluate alternative health care practices, via research, training, and disseminating information. Now, after six years of operation, the OAM has recently launched its own website.
The OAM's website is divided into seven separate categories, each providing different information on the office's functions. Users can learn about the history and mission of the OAM; consult a frequently asked questions list; find out about grant information; search the OAM's information clearinghouse; and read back issues of the office's quarterly newsletters and press releases.
The OAM's website also has links to the Department of Health and Human Services, and an e-mail address for users who'd like to contact the OAM's director. The site even has a built-in search engine and a site index to aid those who are looking for specific information.
The OAM's website can be accessed at [url=http://altmed.od.nih.gov/oam]http://altmed.od.nih.gov/oam[/url].