Acupuncture: This is a form of traditional medicine that originated in China more that 5,000 years ago. The premise of acupuncture is that health is determined by the balance of vital energy called qi (pronounced “Chi”), which flows along 12 major pathways in the body, called meridians, and that those pathways are linked to major organs. Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can relieve pain and help restore overall health.
Biofeedback: Using electronic devices, biofeedback monitors certain bodily processes such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure and conveys this information to the person to help them learn to consciously influence those systems. Biofeedback can help ease headaches, control asthma attacks, and recondition injured muscles. In regard to cancer, biofeedback can help reduce stress and anxiety and relieve pain associated with the cancer or conventional cancer treatment.
Constitutional medicine: These healing systems begin by determining the person’s constitution – their strengths, susceptibilities, metabolic status, or predisposition toward certain conditions. Examples of constitutional medicine include Ayuverda, Traditional 心臟病症狀 Medicine, and Tibetan Medicine. The focus of constitutional medicine is on helping the person achieve and maintain balance in accordance with their constitutional type. In these systems, internal harmony results in physical, emotional, and spiritual good health.
Creativity: Many innovative researchers are confirming that creative endeavors enhance a positive connection between mind and body. In addition, creativity is believed to stimulate immune activity and help reduce the damaging effects of stress. Creative activities that can promote physical and emotional health include art, music, and writing (especially journaling). I have heard of some cancer patients who have written journals with messages for their children and grandchildren to be read on special occasions such as graduation, weddings, anniversaries, and so on.
Detoxification: The body has systems in place to break down and eliminate harmful substances, a process known as detoxification. Detoxification therapies assist the body in eliminating or neutralizing toxins. Some practitioners believe that detoxification has significant impact on health and disease. “The process of detoxification through special cleansing diets as well as water and juice fast, is the missing link of rejuvenating the body and preventing such chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity,” says Elson Haas, MD, director of Preventative Medical Center of Marin. Detoxification methods include special diets, fasting, colon therapy, liver flushing, chelation, high-dose Vitamin C, and hyperthermia.