Whole Body Cancer Care From Around the World
Ancient Medicine Meets Modern Medicine
The conventional medical model used most often in the US is not the only or oldest system of medicine in the world. Healing systems from ancient China, India, Greece, and Egypt date back thousands of years and employ a variety of modalities designed to treat and care for the entirety of the patient: body, mind, and spirit. Not only rich in history, many of these systems are also deeply entrenched in nature, tradition, customs, culture, faith, spirituality, and community.
While a handful of modalities have been welcomed into Western Medicine practice, many aspects of these ancient healing approaches have been left behind. A common thread among these medical philosophies is individualizing the care for each patient, and this personalization makes clinical research challenging. Additionally, healing substances derived from nature cannot be patented as easily as lab-created compounds, and without patent protection, biopharmaceutical companies face financial hesitation in pursuing the research, development, and marketing of natural substances. Clinical research and development are expensive, lengthy ventures but they are necessary for a product to gain approval from the FDA for use as a standard of care treatment option, and biopharmaceutical companies must weigh the financial risks and benefits for each substance they consider. If consumers can easily grow it in their backyards for pennies, XYZ Pharma may be reticent to invest millions of dollars and many years to study it, and determine its safety, proper dosing, efficacy, side effects, drug interactions, and potential uses.
When we consume an herb, medication, or food, the active ingredients interact with our bodies on a molecular level. They may activate or block cellular activities, they may turn specific genes on or off, they may bind with receptors on a cell's surface to initiate or inhibit a cascade of events, they may work more effectively in a buddy system with other substances, or they may compete with other substances in the body for the same "parking spot." There's a lot going on and a lot to evaluate from a biomedical perspective, especially considering that Substance A may behave differently in your body than it does in mine. Individual variations in genetics, genomics, epigenetics, metabolism, race, ethnicity, gender, medical history, and overall health all factor in to how our bodies process, interact with, use, and rid themselves of natural and man-made substances. There is very rarely a one-size-fits-all, works-100%-of-the-time solution to minor or major physiological problems--we are too complex. Water would be an exception to that principle.
Examples of Whole Body Medicine Systems:
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ayurvedic Medicine
Naturopathic Medicine
Holistic Medicine
Natural Medicine
Homeopathic Medicine
Functional Medicine
Why do cancer patients turn to integrative whole body systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, or Anthroposophic Medicine?
- supportive care for cancer treatment side effects
- seeking improved quality of life
- seeking additional health benefits
- seeking a "cure"
- distrust or fear of conventional medical model
- interest in maximizing what can be done for improved health beyond conventional medicine
What are some modalities used in integrative whole body medicine systems?
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Herbs and complex herbal blends
- Nutrition
- Pranayama
- Breathing exercises
- Guided imagery
- Intermittent fasting
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Qi gong
- Reiki
- Hypnosis
- Tai Chi
- Exercise
- Support Groups
- Supplements
Whole Body Systems of Medicine: What's What?
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
According to The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, "Naturopathic medicine is a distinct practice of medicine that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process to treat each person holistically and improve outcomes while lowering health care costs. Naturopathic doctors are educated and trained in accredited naturopathic medical colleges."
What is Naturopathic Oncology?
According to the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, "Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) trained in integrative cancer care play an important role in the support of people diagnosed with cancer through survivorship. They provide evidence-informed guidance on the safe and effective use of natural and supportive therapies when combined with conventional treatment. Combining naturopathic and conventional medicine supports the pursuit of the best possible outcomes for patients. Goals are to improve quality of life, manage side effects, help speed recovery, prevent a recurrence, and provide education for a healthy lifestyle."
What is Homeopathic Medicine?
According to the American Institute of Homeopathy, "Homeopathy, or Homeopathic Medicine, is the practice of medicine that embraces a holistic, natural approach to the treatment of the sick. Homeopathy is holistic because it treats the person as a whole, rather than focusing on a diseased part or a labeled sickness. Homeopathy is natural because its remedies are produced according to the U.S. FDA-recognized Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States from natural sources, whether vegetable, mineral, or animal in nature."
What is Ayurvedic Medicine?
According to the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, "The Sanskrit term Ayurveda translates to “knowledge of life,” and the principles of this ancient wisdom remind us that the entire web of life is intricately interwoven. With a unique emphasis on total wellness, the art and science of Ayurveda work to harmonize our internal and external worlds. Our five senses serve as the portals between the internal and external realms, as the five great elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth dance the dance of creation around and within us. Ayurveda groups these five elements into three basic types of energy and functional principles that are present in everybody and everything. Since there are no single words in English to describe these principles; we use the Sanskrit words Vata, Pitta, and Kapha to describe their combinations. Leveraging these basic principles, Ayurveda customizes preventative wellness to the unique constitution of every individual. In addition, ancient Ayurvedic doctors produced detailed descriptions of acute and chronic conditions (complete with causes, signs, and symptoms), and developed extensive holistic treatment protocols."
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
According to Mount Sinai, "Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses for more than 2,000 years. TCM is based on a belief in yin and yang, defined as opposing energies, such as earth and heaven, winter and summer, and happiness and sadness. When yin and yang are in balance, you feel relaxed and energized. Out of balance, however, yin and yang negatively affect your health. Practitioners also believe that there is a life force or energy, known as qi (pronounced "chee"), in every body. For yin and yang to be balanced and for the body to be healthy, qi must be balanced and flowing freely. When there is too little or too much qi in one of the body's energy pathways, called meridians, or when the flow of qi is blocked, it causes illness.
The ultimate goal of TCM treatment is to balance yin and yang by promoting the natural flow of qi. In an interesting analogy, often used to explain its nature, qi is described as the wind in a sail, we do not see the wind directly, but we are aware of its presence as it fills the sail."
What is Anthroposophic Medicine?
According to the Anthroposophic Health Association, "Anthroposophic Medicine is integrative medicine. It is rooted in the science-based medicine, but takes into account the whole human being in its method, diagnosis and therapy. It pays equal attention to the body, soul and spirit of the patient, recognizing the person's unique biography. Anthroposophic Medicine was established by Dr. Rudolf Steiner and Dr. Ita Wegman in 1920. Since then it has been continuously developed further in clinics and hospitals worldwide. This whole-person approach incorporates medicine, nursing, naturopathy, psychology, art, music, singing, speech, movement and massage therapies as elements of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, with shared concepts for diagnosis and therapy. Anthroposophic medicine and therapeutics are practiced in over 60 countries around the world. Each health professional is fully credentialed, for example as a doctor, nurse, or massage therapist. In addition, these professionals add a holistic, anthroposophic perspective to their care."
What is Conventional/Western Medicine?
Conventional, or Western Medicine, is what is practiced most commonly in the United States. In Conventional Medicine, health care services are carried out by physicians, nurses, mid-level providers, therapists, surgeons, and other medical professionals who use medication, surgery, radiation, and various forms of therapy to prevent and treat conditions. This system is evidence-based and relies heavily on scientific and clinical research.
