Member May 2026: Role of Phytotherapy and Cultural Integration in Musculoskeletal Care-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The meeting was an AAPMNR Member May event on the role of phytotherapy and cultural integration in musculoskeletal care. After housekeeping and recording notices, Mariana Velazquez Cano introduced the session’s goals: to explore herbal medicine’s cultural relevance, evidence base, safety concerns, drug interactions, and practical integration into PM&R practice.<br /><br />The panel featured physicians from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Africa. Dr. Sol Abreu-Sosa discussed Puerto Rican herbal traditions, emphasizing the blend of Taino, African, and Spanish influences. She reviewed common plants such as anamu, marjoram, comfrey, annatto, and malagueta, including preparation methods, potential benefits for pain and inflammation, and important risks like bleeding, liver injury, and skin irritation.<br /><br />Dr. Carla Lee Kim highlighted Dominican Republic practices, where teas, infusions, compresses, baths, and herbal capsules are commonly used. She described ginger, turmeric with black pepper for improved absorption, horsetail, and arnica, and noted that patients often prefer natural remedies before pharmaceuticals.<br /><br />Dr. Fabiola Kopp shared Brazilian perspectives, noting the strong influence of Indigenous and African traditions and the country’s regulated phytotherapy system. She focused on arnica and copaiba, including their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties, while stressing product quality and proper dosing.<br /><br />Dr. Deborah Bernal discussed African herbal traditions, safety issues in the U.S. due to limited regulation, and the importance of pharmacogenomic testing. She reviewed herbs such as kava, St. John’s wort, chamomile, valerian, turmeric, ginger, papaya, and bitter kola.<br /><br />The session concluded with discussion on how clinicians should ask patients about herbal use, coordinate with the care team, and use reliable resources to check interactions and safety.

Keywords

phytotherapy

herbal medicine

musculoskeletal care

cultural integration

AAPMNR

Puerto Rican herbal traditions

Dominican Republic practices

Brazilian phytotherapy

African herbal traditions

drug interactions

safety concerns

PM&R practice