Adjunct Cancer Therapy
by Subhuti Dharmananda
Subhuti Dharmananda walks us through the clinical results of an Adjunct Cancer Therapy Program and Treatment framework.
Adjunct Cancer Therapy
Course Overview
Part 1: Introductory Presentation - Clinical Results in an Adjunct Cancer Therapies ProgramSeveral significant developments in chemotherapy and radiation treatments in recent years have improved the tolerance for those medical therapies, yet many cancer patients still struggle with prolonged experience of debilitating symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers possibilities to reduce the severity of the side effects. In China, one of the medical reform goals of the highly active TCM research phase (1960s-1980s) was to utilize TCM in new and effective ways. For cancer patients, the concept of “supporting normality” (fuzheng) was promoted, relying on herbal tonification therapy and supported by use of acupuncture. At the Immune Enhancement Project (IEP) in Portland, Oregon, these methods were adapted to modern western conditions, and several hundred cancer patients have been so treated during a period of nearly twenty years. Effects of the project are revealed by oncologists who express surprise at how well their patients had managed through the course of medical therapies and by the increasing referrals to the program from physicians and nurses working with cancer patients. The program methods, with special reference to the use of acupuncture, will be described.
Part 2: Treatment Framework - Five-Zone Acupuncture and Six-Actions Herb Prescribing for Adjunct Cancer Therapy
Five zone acupuncture emerged from treatment of shen disorders (spirit/mind/brain functional disturbances) and was one of the most commonly used approaches at the IEP Clinic for supporting patients undergoing cancer therapies. Acupuncture point selection focuses on the head/neck and bilateral transport regions: from elbow to fingers and from knee to toes which unites the neural networks and restores normality. A foundational needling set includes a subgroup called New Twenty Needles (to expand upon Old Ten Needles). The six-actions herb method is based on the methods of tonifying qi, nourishing blood, smoothing the flow of qi, enlivening the circulation of blood, raising clear qi to the head, and benefiting the marrow. This recording details these therapies so that you will be empowered to support your patients who may be contending with a cancer diagnosis.
Course Objectives
- To understand how the IEP Clinic operates, in order to appreciate the context of the adjunct cancer therapies it offers.
- To become familiar with the author’s perspective on the challenges faced by patients and practitioners in response to the cancer diagnosis and its standard medical treatment.
- To know the type of data that is being presented; i.e. chart notes developed over a period of months or years, relaying brief patient comments and acupuncture treatment details.
- To learn some of the writings and experiences that influenced development of the adjunct cancer protocols utilized at IEP, especially the acupuncture component of the program that led to the “new twenty needles” (NTN) protocol.
- To gain a sense of the outcomes for patients who come to the IEP clinic with a diagnosis of stage III or stage IV cancer.
- To learn what constitutes acupuncture applied to “five zones” and the origins of the five zone framework.
- To appreciate which types of medical disorders are most appropriately treated by the five zone method of acupuncture therapy.
- To learn the six herb actions utilized for adjunct cancer therapy within the larger perspective of how herb effects are categorized.
- To understand how the six herb actions apply to the commonly reported symptoms experienced by cancer patients undergoing standard medical therapies
- To observe some examples of acupuncture points and herbs that are suited to the treatment framework being described.
Course Outline
0 hrs - 15 minHow the subject being presented was selected from treatment successes at the IEP adjunct cancer therapies services.
15 min - 30 minThe analysis of acupuncture treatments that were used for cancer patients and how the points are selected and in what manner they form a pattern of treatment for these patients.
30 min - 45 minHow acupuncture treatments following the basic pattern are personalized to address individual patient conditions and situations.
45 min - 1 hrsOverview of patient responses to treatment.
1 hrs - 1.5 hrsA description of the five zones of acupuncture in terms of the location of peripheral shu points and points on the head/neck along the midline. Sources of this treatment method and description of the absence of a descriptive model in TCM literature.
1.5 hrs - 2 hrsA perspective on patient treatment based on five zone acupuncture, and how the particular point sets are chosen.
2 hrs - 2.5 hrsThe problem of utilizing knowledge of herb prescriptions that were administered in ancient times for treatment of new disease conditions that occur in modern times; modern cancer therapy with its various adverse effects, for example, was not known during the development of TCM.
2.5 hrs - 3 hrsThe herbal therapies deemed appropriate to adjunct cancer treatment and how the selection of therapeutic principles and herbs have changed since they were first developed just over fifty years ago.
3 hrs - 3.5 hrsThe six actions of herbs chosen from a much larger group of traditional medicine categories to address the disorders encountered from undergoing standard medical cancer therapies, especially chemotherapy.
3.5 hrs - 4 hrsOverview of specific herbs and formulas that are used in the treatments, and factors influencing choices among potentially useful herbs.
Teacher
More...
Clear and concise and the handouts alone are invaluable Natalia M.United States of America
This is a great and unique Information for those who want to understand the Problems of treating and understanding Cancer, very useful Information. The Topic of herbs and its Connection to the Points is amazing. The teacher knows his Topic excellently and shares Information enthusiastically and with great Talent. I strongly recommend this Course for those who is dealing with cancer patients and has possibility to use acupuncture or herbs. Viktoria N.Germany
A useful introductory webinar on a highly specialized subject. Presenter Mr. Dharmananda is experienced and knowledgeable. Mun-Yee C.Australia
Subhuti Darmananda is a brilliant integrator of knowledge, Asian and Western. He understands the science and also has quite a grasp of the Chinese Herbal tradition. I found his perspective on cancer treatment well-informed on the level of the science as well as the herbal and acupuncture traditions. I would not hesitate to study with him again and recommend this oncology course to all who practice TCM and want to do adjunctive cancer treatment.Jenna V.United States of America
This course will open your eyes to ways to treat cancer patients during their chemotherapy and radiation, and in addition, will give you important strategies on how to approach other patients with severe conditions showing both deficiency and stagnation.Sandra G.United States
Interesting & inspiring contentMaria C.Australia
Very good course. It gives a new perspective on some old cancer mythsKathy K.Canada
This is a very relevant topic, because of the growing number of oncology cases in today's population. The lecturer presents well-soured and well-argumented information. He describes an effective way of combining herbal therapy and acupuncture. He also makes good parallels between western and traditional TCM approaches. Grigoriy S.Canada
I recommend this course as the information can be readily put to use in an acupuncture practice.Christopher S.United States of America
Adjunct Cancer Therapy
Clincial Results, Five-Zone Acupuncture, and Six-Actions Herb Prescribing
by Subhuti DharmanandaAdjunct Cancer Therapy
Course Overview
Part 1: Introductory Presentation - Clinical Results in an Adjunct Cancer Therapies ProgramSeveral significant developments in chemotherapy and radiation treatments in recent years have improved the tolerance for those medical therapies, yet many cancer patients still struggle with prolonged experience of debilitating symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers possibilities to reduce the severity of the side effects. In China, one of the medical reform goals of the highly active TCM research phase (1960s-1980s) was to utilize TCM in new and effective ways. For cancer patients, the concept of “supporting normality” (fuzheng) was promoted, relying on herbal tonification therapy and supported by use of acupuncture. At the Immune Enhancement Project (IEP) in Portland, Oregon, these methods were adapted to modern western conditions, and several hundred cancer patients have been so treated during a period of nearly twenty years. Effects of the project are revealed by oncologists who express surprise at how well their patients had managed through the course of medical therapies and by the increasing referrals to the program from physicians and nurses working with cancer patients. The program methods, with special reference to the use of acupuncture, will be described.
Part 2: Treatment Framework - Five-Zone Acupuncture and Six-Actions Herb Prescribing for Adjunct Cancer Therapy
Five zone acupuncture emerged from treatment of shen disorders (spirit/mind/brain functional disturbances) and was one of the most commonly used approaches at the IEP Clinic for supporting patients undergoing cancer therapies. Acupuncture point selection focuses on the head/neck and bilateral transport regions: from elbow to fingers and from knee to toes which unites the neural networks and restores normality. A foundational needling set includes a subgroup called New Twenty Needles (to expand upon Old Ten Needles). The six-actions herb method is based on the methods of tonifying qi, nourishing blood, smoothing the flow of qi, enlivening the circulation of blood, raising clear qi to the head, and benefiting the marrow. This recording details these therapies so that you will be empowered to support your patients who may be contending with a cancer diagnosis.
Course Objectives
- To understand how the IEP Clinic operates, in order to appreciate the context of the adjunct cancer therapies it offers.
- To become familiar with the author’s perspective on the challenges faced by patients and practitioners in response to the cancer diagnosis and its standard medical treatment.
- To know the type of data that is being presented; i.e. chart notes developed over a period of months or years, relaying brief patient comments and acupuncture treatment details.
- To learn some of the writings and experiences that influenced development of the adjunct cancer protocols utilized at IEP, especially the acupuncture component of the program that led to the “new twenty needles” (NTN) protocol.
- To gain a sense of the outcomes for patients who come to the IEP clinic with a diagnosis of stage III or stage IV cancer.
- To learn what constitutes acupuncture applied to “five zones” and the origins of the five zone framework.
- To appreciate which types of medical disorders are most appropriately treated by the five zone method of acupuncture therapy.
- To learn the six herb actions utilized for adjunct cancer therapy within the larger perspective of how herb effects are categorized.
- To understand how the six herb actions apply to the commonly reported symptoms experienced by cancer patients undergoing standard medical therapies
- To observe some examples of acupuncture points and herbs that are suited to the treatment framework being described.
Course Outline
0 hrs - 15 minHow the subject being presented was selected from treatment successes at the IEP adjunct cancer therapies services.
15 min - 30 minThe analysis of acupuncture treatments that were used for cancer patients and how the points are selected and in what manner they form a pattern of treatment for these patients.
30 min - 45 minHow acupuncture treatments following the basic pattern are personalized to address individual patient conditions and situations.
45 min - 1 hrsOverview of patient responses to treatment.
1 hrs - 1.5 hrsA description of the five zones of acupuncture in terms of the location of peripheral shu points and points on the head/neck along the midline. Sources of this treatment method and description of the absence of a descriptive model in TCM literature.
1.5 hrs - 2 hrsA perspective on patient treatment based on five zone acupuncture, and how the particular point sets are chosen.
2 hrs - 2.5 hrsThe problem of utilizing knowledge of herb prescriptions that were administered in ancient times for treatment of new disease conditions that occur in modern times; modern cancer therapy with its various adverse effects, for example, was not known during the development of TCM.
2.5 hrs - 3 hrsThe herbal therapies deemed appropriate to adjunct cancer treatment and how the selection of therapeutic principles and herbs have changed since they were first developed just over fifty years ago.
3 hrs - 3.5 hrsThe six actions of herbs chosen from a much larger group of traditional medicine categories to address the disorders encountered from undergoing standard medical cancer therapies, especially chemotherapy.
3.5 hrs - 4 hrsOverview of specific herbs and formulas that are used in the treatments, and factors influencing choices among potentially useful herbs.
Teacher
More...
Clear and concise and the handouts alone are invaluable Natalia M.United States of America
This is a great and unique Information for those who want to understand the Problems of treating and understanding Cancer, very useful Information. The Topic of herbs and its Connection to the Points is amazing. The teacher knows his Topic excellently and shares Information enthusiastically and with great Talent. I strongly recommend this Course for those who is dealing with cancer patients and has possibility to use acupuncture or herbs. Viktoria N.Germany
A useful introductory webinar on a highly specialized subject. Presenter Mr. Dharmananda is experienced and knowledgeable. Mun-Yee C.Australia
Subhuti Darmananda is a brilliant integrator of knowledge, Asian and Western. He understands the science and also has quite a grasp of the Chinese Herbal tradition. I found his perspective on cancer treatment well-informed on the level of the science as well as the herbal and acupuncture traditions. I would not hesitate to study with him again and recommend this oncology course to all who practice TCM and want to do adjunctive cancer treatment.Jenna V.United States of America
This course will open your eyes to ways to treat cancer patients during their chemotherapy and radiation, and in addition, will give you important strategies on how to approach other patients with severe conditions showing both deficiency and stagnation.Sandra G.United States
Interesting & inspiring contentMaria C.Australia
Very good course. It gives a new perspective on some old cancer mythsKathy K.Canada
This is a very relevant topic, because of the growing number of oncology cases in today's population. The lecturer presents well-soured and well-argumented information. He describes an effective way of combining herbal therapy and acupuncture. He also makes good parallels between western and traditional TCM approaches. Grigoriy S.Canada
I recommend this course as the information can be readily put to use in an acupuncture practice.Christopher S.United States of America