Helene Langevin

American physician and researcher

Helene Langevin, M.D., Director of NCCIH

Helene Langevin is an American physician and researcher known for her work in the field of complementary and integrative health. She is the Director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early life and education

Helene Langevin was born in France and later moved to the United States to pursue her education. She earned her medical degree from the McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada. Following her graduation, she completed her residency in internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Career

Langevin began her career as a physician and researcher with a focus on acupuncture and connective tissue research. Her work has significantly contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms of acupuncture and its effects on connective tissue. She has held academic positions at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Vermont and Harvard Medical School.

Research

Langevin's research has primarily focused on the role of connective tissue in chronic pain and inflammation. She has explored how mechanical forces and tissue remodeling can influence pain pathways and inflammatory responses. Her studies have provided insights into how acupuncture and other manual therapies may exert their effects through the fascia, a type of connective tissue.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

In 2018, Langevin was appointed as the Director of the NCCIH, where she oversees research initiatives aimed at understanding the safety and efficacy of complementary and integrative health practices. Under her leadership, the center has focused on promoting rigorous scientific research to explore the potential benefits and mechanisms of integrative health approaches.

Personal life

Langevin is known for her dedication to advancing the field of integrative health and her commitment to fostering collaboration between conventional and complementary medicine. She is an advocate for evidence-based research and has worked to bridge the gap between traditional medical practices and alternative therapies.

Related pages

• Acupuncture
• Connective tissue
• Chronic pain
• National Institutes of Health