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

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This meeting was an AAPMNR educational panel on the role of phytotherapy and cultural integration in musculoskeletal care. After housekeeping announcements, the moderator introduced the goals: to explore the cultural relevance of herbal medicine, review evidence for its use in PM&R/MSK care, discuss safety and drug interactions, and consider how to integrate these therapies into practice.<br /><br />The session began with a general overview of phytotherapy: plant-based medicines used to prevent or treat disease, often taken as teas, tinctures, capsules, topical preparations, or inhaled products. Speakers emphasized that many patients use herbal remedies, especially for pain and functional recovery, but clinicians often do not ask about them.<br /><br />Panelists then shared regional perspectives from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Africa. They described common herbs and traditional preparations such as teas, compresses, baths, and topical salves. Examples included garlic weed, marjoram, comfrey, annatto, malagueta, ginger, turmeric, arnica, horsetail, rosemary, and copaiba. Several herbs were highlighted for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, or wound-healing effects, along with important cautions such as bleeding risk, liver toxicity, GI side effects, pregnancy concerns, and interactions with anticoagulants or other drugs.<br /><br />The discussion also emphasized the need for clinical caution because herbal products are not consistently regulated, especially in the U.S. Speakers recommended trusted resources, careful patient questioning, and discussing herbs openly rather than dismissing them. Dr. Bernal highlighted pharmacogenomic testing as an emerging tool to help identify interactions and personalize treatment.<br /><br />Overall, the panel promoted respectful, evidence-aware, culturally informed herbal medicine use as a complementary part of rehabilitation care.

Keywords

phytotherapy

herbal medicine

musculoskeletal care

PM&R

cultural integration

traditional remedies

drug interactions

safety

anti-inflammatory herbs

pain management

rehabilitation

pharmacogenomics