chapter 11: complementary healing - With Every Breath: A Lung

44 Pages·2005·0.63 MB·English

CHAPTER 11: COMPLEMENTARY HEALING

INTRODUCTION

What is health? Is it the absence of disease and disability or is it something broader?
Consider the following examples.

Mary exercises regularly, eats well, and has no signs or symptoms of disease. However,
Mary always feels unhappy. Is Mary healthy?

John is 50 pounds overweight. He has no signs or symptoms of disease. He has a
happy home life. Is John healthy?

Susan lost her left leg to bone cancer when she was a teenager. She now gets around
in a wheelchair. She is happily married, has two children, and a job she enjoys. Is
Susan healthy?

These examples illustrate the fact that health is more than just the absence of disease or
disability. Many factors contribute to your health and well-being.

Thus far, this book has focused on the physical aspects of health. This chapter examines
health, wellness, and healing more broadly. The purpose is to help you achieve not only
physical health, but also an overall sense of wellness in your life.

THE WELLNESS WHEEL

The wellness wheel is a model used to demonstrate the different factors that contribute to a
person’s complete health (see Figure 1). It is based on ancient Eastern and Native
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American concepts. According to this model, five aspects of your life contribute to your
sense of well-being − physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual.
Figure 1: Wellness Wheel
Intellectual Physical
Emotional Social
Spiritual

The factors that contribute to each of these areas are:
• Physical wellness − lifestyle, fitness, nutrition, adequate sleep, activity level, illness
• Social wellness − relationships with family and friends, a sense of community
• Spiritual wellness − a sense of purpose, meaning in your life, values, ethics,
religious or spiritual practice, philosophy of life
• Emotional wellness − feelings, a sense of worth, managing stress
• Intellectual wellness − productivity, enjoyable work, alertness, creativity, learning

Each area of wellness can affect your sense of well-being in other areas. For example, if you
are unhappy with your work, you may begin to experience physical symptoms such as
headaches or stomach upset. Similarly, a physical illness may affect your emotional well-
being by causing stress or irritability. These feelings can affect your relationships with family
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members and friends. Therefore, wellness involves addressing the health of each area of life
that contributes to your overall sense of well-being.

SYSTEMS OF HEALING

Western Medicine
The United States, Canada, and many other industrialized nations primarily utilize a system
of healing which is commonly called western medicine or conventional medicine. There are two
types of doctors who practice western medicine, allopaths (medical doctors or MDs) and
osteopaths (osteopathic doctors or DOs). Both MDs and DOs attend four years of medical
school that includes classroom study in the sciences of the human body, and practical study
of physical examinations, testing, and medical care. After completion of medical school,
MDs and DOs must pursue additional training (called post-graduate education) to learn the
art of medical practice. In the U.S., 94% of conventional doctors are MDs and 6% are DOs.

Western medicine is based on science and experimental testing. For the most part, western
doctors group people into categories (diseases) based on their signs and symptoms.
Generally, treatments are put into use after they have been shown to be effective for a
specific disease or condition in scientific studies called clinical trials. See Chapter 8: Clinical
Trials for a description of the clinical trial process.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a generic term that refers to the many
healing systems, philosophies, and practices that fall outside the realm of conventional or
western medicine. There are many different types of CAM including:
• naturopathic medicine
• homeopathic medicine
• ayurvedic medicine
• traditional Chinese medicine
• modern Chinese medicine
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• chiropractic medicine
• spiritual healing

Different forms of CAM utilize a variety of healing approaches. Examples of common
CAM therapies include:
• acupuncture
• massage
• chiropractic manipulation
• craniosacral manipulation
• homeopathic remedies
• herbs
• nutritional supplements
• dietary therapy
• meditation
• visualization
• creative expression − art, dance, music
• biofeedback
• prayer
• movement or exercise − yoga, tai chi, qi gong
• aromatherapy
• crystals

Complementary therapy is used in addition to rather than in place of conventional treatment.
The combined use of western medicine and CAM is called integrated medicine. Alternative
therapy is treatment used instead of conventional treatment. Most people with lung cancer
who utilize CAM use it in combination with western treatments. Nevertheless, some people
choose to use alternative methods alone or after conventional treatments have failed. Most
conventional lung cancer experts strongly advise against using CAM instead of western
therapy. However, the choice is yours.
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When I first found out I was now stage IV, of course I was initially shocked. I
wanted to do everything possible to survive. I recognized that conventional
medicine is positive, but they don’t have all the answers. Through my research, I
[decided] the key to my treatment would be keeping my immune system up. So the
first step [for me] was integrated medicine.
− Barbara, diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC in 1999 at age 49

This chapter reviews some popular CAM therapies used by people with lung cancer. Each
section notes whether there is scientific evidence to support the use of each treatment or
product. Most complementary and alternative therapies have not been studied in a clinical
trial setting, which means there is no scientific proof of their effectiveness. The use of many
CAM therapies is based on years of experience passed down from one generation to
another.

The author takes no position on the effectiveness of CAM treatments. The treatments
presented in this chapter are included because they are frequently asked about. The
inclusion of a particular CAM treatment does not mean the author endorses the treatment.
Similarly, the absence of a particular CAM treatment does not mean the author opposes use
of that treatment. The decision about what treatments (western or CAM) to include in your
treatment plan is entirely up to you. However, the author encourages you to thoroughly
research any form of therapy you are considering before making a decision about whether to
include it in your treatment plan.

Before adding any new therapy to your treatment plan, it is very important to discuss it first
with all of your health care providers. Different forms of therapy can interact with one
another. Some therapies interfere with the beneficial effects of other treatments whether
they are western or CAM therapies. For example, certain drugs, foods, herbs, or nutritional
supplements may increase the side effects of western treatments or decrease their
effectiveness. Some treatment combinations may actually be harmful. Your health care
providers can only provide you with the best possible care if they are completely informed
about all the treatments you are using. It is your responsibility to keep each of your health
care providers informed about all your current treatments.
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Many forms of CAM are not covered by health insurance. Check with your insurance
company before pursuing a costly therapy that may not be covered under your plan. This
will allow you to make an informed decision with respect to your financial situation.

Issues you may want to think about if you are considering complementary healing include:
• Find out about the CAM provider’s expertise.
− How much experience does he or she have?
− What kind of training has he or she received?
− Is he or she certified or licensed to practice in their field?
• What is the cost of treatment?
− Will your insurance cover the cost?
• What do you hope to accomplish? What is likelihood of accomplishing your
goals with the treatment you are considering?
• Are there risks associated with treatment?
• Are there side effects from treatment?
• Has the treatment been evaluated in clinical trials? Are there ongoing trials?
• Will the treatment interfere with other forms of treatment you are receiving?

CAM DISCIPLINES

There are many different CAM disciplines. This section presents a brief overview of some
of the more popular CAM disciplines used by people with lung cancer.

Ayurvedic Medicine
The word ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words, ayur meaning life and veda meaning
knowledge. Ayurveda was founded in India. It is one of the oldest forms of medicine
known to man. Ayurvedic medicine involves detoxification, diet, exercise, herbs, and other
techniques to improve mental and emotional health. In ayurveda, good digestion is
considered the key to good health.
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According to ayurvedic principles, each person has a unique makeup or constitution. Your
constitution is determined by the balance of three vital energies in the body called doshas.
The three doshas are known by their Sanskrit names of vata, pitta, and kapha. Each dosha
has its own role in the body. Health is maintained when the three doshas are in balance.
Ayurveda focuses on maintaining health. It does not offer cures for cancers.

Ayurvedic practitioners are not licensed in the United States, and ayurvedic practice is not
regulated by state or federal agencies. At this time, the ayurvedic medical degree (from
ayurvedic medical schools in India) is not recognized in the U.S. or Canada. American
ayurvedic schools are typically part-time certification courses that take one to two years to
complete.

Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic medicine concerns itself with the relationship between the nervous system and
the health of the body. This form of medicine is based on the fact that the nervous system
controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ, and system of the body. Chiropractic
principles state the functions of the body can be disturbed by misalignments in the spinal
column or backbone (made up of 24 bones called vertebrae). A misalignment of one of the
backbones is called a vertebral subluxation. Vertebral subluxations are corrected using spinal
adjustments in an attempt to restore normal body function.

Chiropractors (chiropractic physicians) usually obtain a bachelor’s degree before attending a
school of chiropractic medicine to earn a DC degree (doctor of chiropractic medicine). All
50 states and the District of Columbia regulate chiropractic medical practice. Most DC
programs are structured around a four-year academic schedule.

Licenses are granted to chiropractors who meet the educational requirements of their state
and pass a state-approved board examination.

Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic medicine was developed in the early 1800s by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a
German doctor and pharmacist. This form of medicine treats the whole person rather than
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just the symptoms he or she is experiencing. This is called a holistic medicine approach.
Homeopathy is based on the principle of treating like with like. This is called the principle
of similars. Homeopathic remedies are made from extremely small amounts of animal,
vegetable, or mineral substances that are used to stimulate the body’s natural healing
systems. Homeopathic remedies are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
and are manufactured by established pharmaceutical companies under strict guidelines.
Symptoms are considered a positive finding. There is no attempt to suppress symptoms as
there is in western medicine.

Homeopathic training programs vary from 2-day seminars (designed for licensed health care
professionals) to 4-year programs. In the United States, the American Board of
Homeotherapeutics certifies MDs or DOs who meet their educational standards and pass
both oral and written exams. Successful candidates are awarded the designation of
diplomate in homeopathy (DHt).

There is no legal licensing or governmental regulation of homeopathic practitioners in the
U.S. or Canada. Most state laws either do not address homeopathy or assume that it belongs
under the supervision and jurisdiction of medically licensed doctors. A few states such as
Arizona formally state that homeopathy belongs only under the jurisdiction of licensed
medical doctors. Other states allow homeopathy within the scope of practice for specific
health professionals such as acupuncturists. However, laws vary widely from state to state.

Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine blends natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the
study of health. The basis of naturopathy is the belief that the body has the ability to heal
itself. Naturopathic doctors use many different forms of therapy to assist the body in its
ability to heal itself including diet, exercise, nutrition, massage, acupuncture, homeopathic
remedies, herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, and others. The focus is on whole-
patient wellness, disease prevention, and self-care. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find
the underlying cause of a person’s condition rather than focusing solely on treatment of
symptoms.
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Naturopathic doctors (NDs) attend a 4-year, post-bachelor’s degree naturopathic medical
school. NDs are educated in the same basic sciences as MDs, but focus on holistic (mind
and body) and nontoxic approaches to therapy. There is a strong emphasis on disease
prevention and optimizing wellness. NDs are trained in clinical nutrition, acupuncture,
homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, and psychology. Licensed naturopathic doctors
take rigorous professional board exams. As of this writing, 12 states and four Canadian
provinces allow the practice of naturopathic medicine: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii,
Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, British
Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
also have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors.

Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a healing system that was developed in China over
3,000 years ago. TCM is based on the idea that the laws of nature can be used to understand
the workings of the human body. TCM principles state the body is similar to the universe at
large in that it is subject to constant battling between opposing forces such as heat and cold,
dampness and dryness, masculinity and femininity, joy and sadness, etc. Health is a state of
balance between the opposing forces in the body and disease is the result of imbalances.
Imbalances manifest themselves in the body as too much or too little activity in particular
organs or systems. Chinese medicine describes a vital energy called qi (pronounced chee)
that travels through body along internal pathways called meridians. Imbalances in the body
can cause blockages in the flow of qi. TCM practitioners use acupuncture, therapeutic
massage (tui na), and herbal remedies to help restore the flow of qi and bring the body back
into harmony and wellness.

Over 40 states have laws requiring licensure for acupuncturists; requirements for licensure
vary according to state law. Many acupuncture schools do not require candidates to have an
undergraduate degree. However, other schools give strong preference to people who have
earned a bachelor’s degree. In states that do not recognize acupuncturists as licensed
medical practitioners, acupuncturists may be required to work under the supervision of
another medical professional such as an MD, DO, or ND. In a few states, the practice of
acupuncture is restricted to medical doctors or their equivalent.
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Dispensing herbal medicines is not currently regulated by federal or state laws. Many herbs
are available over-the-counter at health food stores, nutrition stores, and via the Internet.

Resources for Finding Qualified CAM Practitioners
The laws and regulations for the oversight of CAM are highly variable from one state to
another. Many areas of CAM remain unregulated. Therefore, clients of CAM must be
careful to choose qualified, experienced practitioners. The following organizations are useful
resources to help you learn about the philosophy, education, training, and licensure
requirements (if applicable) for various CAM practitioners. Many of these organizations can
also help you locate a practitioner in your area.1

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance
Telephone: [phone]
Internet: www.aomalliance.org
The Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance (AOMA) works to support the
development of acupuncture and oriental medicine. AOMA maintains an active
patient referral service of over 10,000 state-licensed and nationally certified
acupuncture and oriental medicine practitioners via fax, phone, and the Internet.
They support acupuncture and oriental medicine at the state and federal level to
provide inclusion in research and health benefits. AOMA provides information
regarding the benefits of acupuncture and oriental medicine, and works to insure that
all practitioners who use acupuncture and oriental medicine modalities in their
practice do so using sound, professional, clinical-based standards.

Alternative Medicine Foundation
Telephone: [phone]
Internet: www.amfoundation.org
The Alternative Medicine Foundation is a nonprofit organization formed to provide
evidence-based research resources for health care professionals, and responsible and
reliable information for patients and consumers about the integration of alternative
and conventional medicine. Current projects include the development of global
information databases available via the Internet. HerbMed® is an interactive,
evidence-based herbal formulary and TibetMed® is an interactive, community
information resource on Tibetan medicine. The Alternative Medicine Foundation
develops and distributes public information materials and resource guides.

1 Listings are from the National Library of Medicine, Special Information Services, Directory of Health
Organizations. Listings are Internet accessible at: dirline.nlm.nih.gov.
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